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‘I can live alone, if self-respect and circumstances require me to do so. I need not sell my soul to buy bliss. I have an inward treasure born with me, which can keep me alive if all extraneous delights should be withheld, or offered only at a price I cannot afford to give.’ -Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
Review of the book in one word-
CONGRUENT: the quality of agreeing; being suitable and appropriate
Introduction
Book’s Name - Jane Eyre
Author’s Name - Charlotte Bronte (1816-1855)
Genre - Can be interpreted as autobiographical novel/bildungsroman (double for many)/Gothic romance/New Gothic/Victorian Novel
Year of publication - 1847
Language - English ( 19th Century British Literature)
Synopsis- Spoiler Alert!
Are you a mood reader? There are so many times where I have no idea what I am in the mood for, yet I regularly reread Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and it never gets old! Every time there’s something new one can notice or think about and to date, it resonates so well with readers of all time and place as what the book says is ‘the inner journey is unrelated to the outer one’.
Oh, how I love Jane Eyre. And for so many reasons: forsake- her moral compass; for knowing that if she compromises on her moral values she will never be happy, for being herself always, in fact that was what made his man love her.
In this novel, readers may recognize the conflicts between love and independence, passion and conscience, but what is the core of the story is the heroine’s internal journey to self-regard and morale as a young girl and woman.
No man has greater value than her own emotional sense of self. Even the most astounding joy in the world, even the most miraculous romantic recognition of love, should not make Jane nullify her values, her values have value.
Book Blurb
‘Does my forehead not please you?’- the exact words of the wise Mr Rochester as he told them to Jane.
Okay, so in all seriousness, I found Jane Eyre to be the perfect quarantine book. It was just so relatable because its events serve as a continuous reminder that nothing is ever fair. Let me provide you with a description of what I mean:
Widely considered a classic, with its realistic portrayal of the inner life of a woman, noting her struggles with her social condition and natural desires, it gave new truthfulness to the Victorian novel. Its protagonist and the title character is a spirited, righteous woman who was brought up in hardship with little love and affection, and throughout the novel, seeks a place where she can be at peace.
Jane Eyre has reminisced for the Gothic romance of it, the simple, pure and unnoticed female protagonist Jane; the troubled old, ugly, rude and difficult hero, Mr Rochester whom most people don’t really like, the madwoman in the attic, the thunder and lightning and nightmares and absurdity and all of it, yet, how with each other, they are all magic.
When the novel begins, Jane Eyre, the main character, is a 9-year-old orphan who is dependent on a heartless, widowed aunt, Mrs Reed. In the fashion of fictional stepmothers, she was treated badly by her aunt, Mrs Reed who was resentful of her late husband's affection for Jane, and thus sends her to a "charity school," at Lowood, where students are raised ostensibly in preparation for a harsh life.
Here is the next phase of her life where she is offered an escape from her harsh existence, where she meets diverse experiences, stretching from the strict discipline of the school routine and a cruel headmaster to the exhilarating affection of newfound friends like Helen Burns – a novelty in her life so far.
Mercifully, Jane’s tale isn’t entirely woeful; there are traces of light here and there. Despite these obstacles, Jane succeeds as a student and then as a teacher, and then decides that she must move on to experience the wider world and finds a place as a governess for Adele, the young ward of Edward Rochester, master of mysterious Thornfield Hall and her lover.
Thus the story of Jane Eyre is that of a younger woman and a married older man: their romance, regardless of whether it was hardly realized or full-blooded, provides seed to the central plot of Jane Eyre—the romance between a governess and her master, to the consternation of his wife.
At 18, Jane gets engaged to the sombre aloof Rochester, but on their wedding day, Jane learns his secret, which leads to her becoming an independent woman. Jane's independence, courage, and intelligence render her one of literature's strongest female protagonists, and the passionate love between Jane and Rochester is a romance for the ages.
Theme and Style of Writing
Taking first things first, the opening lines of Jane Eyre are a classic example of using the surrounding weather to reflect a character’s mood, and in this instance paints the picture of Jane’s dreary and lonely childhood beautifully.
Secondly, the rags to riches element of this story are the clearest arc throughout the novel. The theme of social criticism is reflected in Jane's comments about the haughtiness of the gentry class towards subservient classes.
Before following the track of this unique imagination and first-person narrative, let us consider the suggestion that the progress of Jane Eyre can be charted through a sequential arrangement in five stages of the family/counter-family duality. The final sequence of the book being a community of families, with Jane, Rochester, and their children at the center.
Thirdly, it is both comforting and engaging enough for modern readers to persist in finding a rhythm in the language though that can initially be a bit of a struggle to relax into it.
Such a technique is somewhat outdated today, but here it has remained timeless and acted perfectly to this enduring Bildungsroman that I think is many people’s gateway novel to classic literature.
Psychological analysis
Picture Credit: literary ladies guide
‘What necessity is there to dwell on the Past, when the Present is so much surer–the Future so much brighter?’
–Mr. Rochester
It is interesting to read a book written long ago, but with a female torchbearer who is far from the submissive woman and was often portrayed in those fictions, preferred in society, of the time. Yet, there are some parts of the book which may not sit so well with the fashionable feminist, including Jane’s fierce belief in the importance of a woman’s modesty, as well as some of Mr Rochester’s actions.
I admire that the story emphasized Jane’s inner self, rather than her appearance – I have read before about the tendency of writers to create female protagonists of great beauty, often as a chastity mark for women. Instead, Jane’s looks aren't a drive within the book; it's her diligence, kindness and sense of right and wrong that rise to the fore.
However, ultimately, Jane Eyre remains an enticing book of affection and hope, of a girl rising above difficult circumstances to seek out her place within the world. The writer displays an endearing sincerity, also as a steely determination and sense of morality that's hard to resist. There is no doubt as to why Jane Eyre endures as much-loved classic as it does.
That’s what I love about Jane Eyre! It’s not about what decision she makes, it's that she decides she has the proper form to make that call. Setting aside Mr Rochester, setting aside her family, setting aside society as a whole, what does SHE feel is the right thing to do? We can even afflict what she decides, but we've to respect her right to form that call for herself.
Famous quotes
About love:
“Her coming was my hope each day,
Her parting was my pain;
The chance that did her steps delay
Was ice in every vein.”
–Song sung by Mr Rochester
On self-care and respect:
“Dread remorse when you are tempted to err, Miss Eyre; remorse is the poison of life.” –Mr. Rochester
‘I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will.’
The Bottom Line
Some books are so famous that it seems redundant to review them, but it’s always nice to determine a classic book through new eyes. This is true of Jane Eyre, which continues to draw in new generations of readers, who experience the book in a different way than its original readers, but still, find its themes relevant and its story readable.
It’s easy to ascertain why Jane Eyre has experienced the enduring popularity that it is.
My ratings for the book - 4 on 5
Get your copy from Amazon - Jane Eyre
Written By - Prakriti Chaudhary
Edited By - Pavas Shrigyan
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