Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre - A Novel
By Charlotte Bronte
ISBN 0-19-283965-9
QUOTES
“Good fortune opens the hand as well as the heart wonderfully; and to give somewhat when we have largely received, but to afford a vent to the unusual ebullition of the sensations.”
― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
“You transfix me quite.”
― Charlotte Brontë
“Would you not be happier if you tried to forget her severity, together with the passionate emotions it excited? Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs." - Helen Burns”
― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
“It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it.”
― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
“Yet it would be your duty to bear it, if you could not avoid it: it is weak and silly to say you cannot bear what it is your fate to be required to bear.”
― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
QUOTES
“Good fortune opens the hand as well as the heart wonderfully; and to give somewhat when we have largely received, but to afford a vent to the unusual ebullition of the sensations.”
― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
“You transfix me quite.”
― Charlotte Brontë
“Would you not be happier if you tried to forget her severity, together with the passionate emotions it excited? Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs." - Helen Burns”
― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
“It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it.”
― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
“Yet it would be your duty to bear it, if you could not avoid it: it is weak and silly to say you cannot bear what it is your fate to be required to bear.”
― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
I really enjoyed this novel. I was caught up in the mysterious, dark, foreboding, isolated locations.
Although repetitive the constant tending to candles and fires caught my attention. I imagine the dark, the glow, the warmth and the smell.
The pre-technology era must have been quiet and spooky.
The settings in the mansions with secret scary rooms is intriguing. Chilling. such large dwellings in the middle of nowhere seems strange and haunting.
I could not understand leaving a child in a room (The red room scene. p. 11-18) who is so afraid she succumbs to unconsciousness and needs medical attention. Appalling!
Mrs. Reed's cold heartedness to Jane as child and at her death bed is bewildering to me.
I like Jane because she is true to her nature, she is brave, forgiving and she perseveres. She does not let her circumstances and the ill treatment she receives hinder her so severely that she is incapable of moving on. She stands up for herself against Mrs. Reed (p. 36). She was successful to become a governess. Placing herself in the middle and self sufficient to a degree. Not a mistress of a household but also not a servant. Plus, she is able to care for people like Adele, in a way she was not cared for.
Jane is committed to standing up for herself.
Jane also negotiates her terms and freedom with the men. (405)
Helen seems like saint to me, a martyr. She is punished severely and repeatedly for small offences but she does not hold a grudge. She accepts it and remains kind and gentle.
On page 59, Helen reveals her creed; "(...) with this creed revenge never worries my heart, degradation never too deeply disgust me, injustice never crushes me too low, I live in calm, looking to the end."
Eventually of course dying peacefully with the solace that she will not have to endure the suffering of life . ( 58-59 & 81)
Helen's belief in god and heaven allows her die in comfort.
"By dying young I shall escape great sufferings." (81)
Jane is sceptical about god and heaven and questions Helen on her death bed. Jane lives on.
Later Jane exclaims "God must have led me on. As to my own will or conscience grief had trampled on and stifled the other." (321).
In the end, Rochester sees Jane's return as divine mercy (448)
Jane claims the need to be loved or she would rather die (69). To be loved will be her quest and she succeeds.
Jane is mindful of Helen's warnings against the indulgence of resentment. (71). Clearly exhibited when she returns to Mrs. Reed and stays by at her death bed.
Mrs. Reeds complaint to Jane is that she does nothing to earn her keep.
As an adult, independence is very important to Jane.
Mrs. Reed also says she wants Jane to be "made useful, to be kept humble (...)"(34)
I think Jane does this as well. Exhibited by rejecting the jewels and colorful silks and being a teacher to orphans and "rustics".
Luckily among the cold hearted are the warm hearted who offer a lift.
Angels among us comes to mind and on page 69 Helen speaks about this. "(...) there is an invisible world and a kingdom of spirits: that world is round us, for it is everywhere; and those spirits watch us, for they are commissioned to guard us. (...)"
Miss Temple for example.
Consider her apartment
"(...) we had to thread some intricate passages and mount a staircase before we reached her apartment; it contained a good fire, and looked cheerful." (70).
contrast this to the Red Room (12-18)
and Bertha's apartment
"He passed on and ascended the stairs, (...). We mounted the first staircase, passed up the gallery, proceeded to the third story; the low, black door, opened (...), He lifted the hangings and uncovering the second door (...). (292).
In the Red Room, Bessie is the angel and offers Jane words of advice. (13). Meaning well but trying to convince Jane how to survive the situation. "Unjust, unjust!" cries Jane and leaves the first chance she gets. Requiring bravery and a leap of faith. Leaving for school was considered a victory by Jane. (37). Being sent to Lowood appears to have the potential of good fortune. Despite the conditions Jane became educated and employable.
At Moor House
St. John is the angel. Often described as marble, like a statue. He takes her in and discovers the family connection and secures the inheritance.
Plus, he gives Jane her own cottage and a job. The most independent she has been so far.
In each setting Jane's presence inadvertently reveals a secret; Mrs Reeds ill treatment,breaking of a promise to her deceased husband and the lies amongst her children. In Lowood; the despicable conditions and improvements are made. At Thornfield; the mad woman in the attic and family in Moor House.
I think this sums up Jane; page 84-85
"I had given in allegiance to duty and order, (...)" (84).
"I desired liberty; for liberty I gasped; for liberty I uttered a prayer (...)" (85).
"It is thoughtless to condemn them (women), or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex." (109)
"I am a free human being with an independent will (...) " (253)
"(...) I felt daily more and more that I must disown half my nature (...)" (398)
In each scenario this is Jane's M.O. modus operandi
Each transition is distinct and a 'message' to move on comes to Jane.
Leaving Lowood
"A kind fairy, in my absence, had surely dropped the required suggestion on my pillow; (...) "Those who want situation advertise; (...)" (86)
Leaving Thornfield
"(...) a white human form shone in the azure, (...), distant was the tone, yet so near, it whispered in my heart- "My daughter flee temptation!" (319)
Leaving Moor House
Jane hears someone calling her name
"It was my time to assume ascendancy. My powers were in play, and in force. (...) I seemed to penetrate very near a Mighty Spirit (...) took resolve (...) unscared, enlightened - (...)" (420)
In each case the "magic" messenger is closer.
After every extremely low point fortune shines on Jane.
At Mrs.Reed's
Jane dutifully stays in separate rooms from the family, hides behind the curtain and reads.
Jane is unjustly injured and punished. Jane stands up to Mrs. Reed and speaks the truth about what has happened.
Jane perceives Mrs. Reed as "sowing aversion and unkindness along my future path (...)" (34)
She is called deceitful, wicked, naughty. The deceitful comment is particularly upsetting for Jane. Her defence receives the reply from Mrs. Reed, "But you are passionate, Jane, that you must allow: (...)" (37).
Jane does do an act of deceit at Moor House when she gives a false name & this could impeded her claim to the inheritance. But of course he truth was revealed.
At Lowood
Jane tolerates the public shaming but speaks to Miss Temple about the truth and is redeemed.
At Thornfield
Jane kneels at her Masters side and exhibits incredible patience sitting through his parties and courtship. AAGH!!!
Wins the Masters love, rejects the jewels (humble) and then runs away!
At Moor House
Jane accepts St. Johns demand that she give up learning German and learn Hindostance (397)
I thought that part was hysterical.
Jane complies but eventually rejects him and leaves.
Throughout the story emphasis is made on the size of people, the way people look, and their character. Jane's faults are constantly pointed out to her.
or character observations. " You are original," said he, "and not timid. There is something brave in your spirit (...)" St. John (375)
I think Jane Eyre balances reason and passion well.
Reason sits firm and holds the reins (201)
hypochondriac foreboding (277)
"Jane! will you hear reason?" - Rochester (302)
St John " Reason and not feeling is my guide" (375)
The ending
Like Jane's friend Helen, St. John contently dies into the embrace of god and heaven.
Jane is no longer kneeling beside her master. She sits upon Mr. Rochester's knee and walks as his prop and guide into the wood, (...) homeward" (448)
Jane is rewarded (445)
She achieves her goals in the end; love, money=independence, family and friends.
The wind that once split the tree into a cloven hoof had now delivered the mysterious summons of the soul
Jane! Jane! Jane!
I am coming, wait for me
Where are you?
The pre-technology era must have been quiet and spooky.
The settings in the mansions with secret scary rooms is intriguing. Chilling. such large dwellings in the middle of nowhere seems strange and haunting.
I could not understand leaving a child in a room (The red room scene. p. 11-18) who is so afraid she succumbs to unconsciousness and needs medical attention. Appalling!
Mrs. Reed's cold heartedness to Jane as child and at her death bed is bewildering to me.
I like Jane because she is true to her nature, she is brave, forgiving and she perseveres. She does not let her circumstances and the ill treatment she receives hinder her so severely that she is incapable of moving on. She stands up for herself against Mrs. Reed (p. 36). She was successful to become a governess. Placing herself in the middle and self sufficient to a degree. Not a mistress of a household but also not a servant. Plus, she is able to care for people like Adele, in a way she was not cared for.
Jane is committed to standing up for herself.
Jane also negotiates her terms and freedom with the men. (405)
Helen seems like saint to me, a martyr. She is punished severely and repeatedly for small offences but she does not hold a grudge. She accepts it and remains kind and gentle.
On page 59, Helen reveals her creed; "(...) with this creed revenge never worries my heart, degradation never too deeply disgust me, injustice never crushes me too low, I live in calm, looking to the end."
Eventually of course dying peacefully with the solace that she will not have to endure the suffering of life . ( 58-59 & 81)
Helen's belief in god and heaven allows her die in comfort.
"By dying young I shall escape great sufferings." (81)
Jane is sceptical about god and heaven and questions Helen on her death bed. Jane lives on.
Later Jane exclaims "God must have led me on. As to my own will or conscience grief had trampled on and stifled the other." (321).
In the end, Rochester sees Jane's return as divine mercy (448)
Jane claims the need to be loved or she would rather die (69). To be loved will be her quest and she succeeds.
Jane is mindful of Helen's warnings against the indulgence of resentment. (71). Clearly exhibited when she returns to Mrs. Reed and stays by at her death bed.
Mrs. Reeds complaint to Jane is that she does nothing to earn her keep.
As an adult, independence is very important to Jane.
Mrs. Reed also says she wants Jane to be "made useful, to be kept humble (...)"(34)
I think Jane does this as well. Exhibited by rejecting the jewels and colorful silks and being a teacher to orphans and "rustics".
Luckily among the cold hearted are the warm hearted who offer a lift.
Angels among us comes to mind and on page 69 Helen speaks about this. "(...) there is an invisible world and a kingdom of spirits: that world is round us, for it is everywhere; and those spirits watch us, for they are commissioned to guard us. (...)"
Miss Temple for example.
Consider her apartment
"(...) we had to thread some intricate passages and mount a staircase before we reached her apartment; it contained a good fire, and looked cheerful." (70).
contrast this to the Red Room (12-18)
and Bertha's apartment
"He passed on and ascended the stairs, (...). We mounted the first staircase, passed up the gallery, proceeded to the third story; the low, black door, opened (...), He lifted the hangings and uncovering the second door (...). (292).
In the Red Room, Bessie is the angel and offers Jane words of advice. (13). Meaning well but trying to convince Jane how to survive the situation. "Unjust, unjust!" cries Jane and leaves the first chance she gets. Requiring bravery and a leap of faith. Leaving for school was considered a victory by Jane. (37). Being sent to Lowood appears to have the potential of good fortune. Despite the conditions Jane became educated and employable.
At Moor House
St. John is the angel. Often described as marble, like a statue. He takes her in and discovers the family connection and secures the inheritance.
Plus, he gives Jane her own cottage and a job. The most independent she has been so far.
In each setting Jane's presence inadvertently reveals a secret; Mrs Reeds ill treatment,breaking of a promise to her deceased husband and the lies amongst her children. In Lowood; the despicable conditions and improvements are made. At Thornfield; the mad woman in the attic and family in Moor House.
I think this sums up Jane; page 84-85
"I had given in allegiance to duty and order, (...)" (84).
"I desired liberty; for liberty I gasped; for liberty I uttered a prayer (...)" (85).
"It is thoughtless to condemn them (women), or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex." (109)
"I am a free human being with an independent will (...) " (253)
"(...) I felt daily more and more that I must disown half my nature (...)" (398)
In each scenario this is Jane's M.O. modus operandi
Each transition is distinct and a 'message' to move on comes to Jane.
Leaving Lowood
"A kind fairy, in my absence, had surely dropped the required suggestion on my pillow; (...) "Those who want situation advertise; (...)" (86)
Leaving Thornfield
"(...) a white human form shone in the azure, (...), distant was the tone, yet so near, it whispered in my heart- "My daughter flee temptation!" (319)
Leaving Moor House
Jane hears someone calling her name
"It was my time to assume ascendancy. My powers were in play, and in force. (...) I seemed to penetrate very near a Mighty Spirit (...) took resolve (...) unscared, enlightened - (...)" (420)
In each case the "magic" messenger is closer.
After every extremely low point fortune shines on Jane.
At Mrs.Reed's
Jane dutifully stays in separate rooms from the family, hides behind the curtain and reads.
Jane is unjustly injured and punished. Jane stands up to Mrs. Reed and speaks the truth about what has happened.
Jane perceives Mrs. Reed as "sowing aversion and unkindness along my future path (...)" (34)
She is called deceitful, wicked, naughty. The deceitful comment is particularly upsetting for Jane. Her defence receives the reply from Mrs. Reed, "But you are passionate, Jane, that you must allow: (...)" (37).
Jane does do an act of deceit at Moor House when she gives a false name & this could impeded her claim to the inheritance. But of course he truth was revealed.
At Lowood
Jane tolerates the public shaming but speaks to Miss Temple about the truth and is redeemed.
At Thornfield
Jane kneels at her Masters side and exhibits incredible patience sitting through his parties and courtship. AAGH!!!
Wins the Masters love, rejects the jewels (humble) and then runs away!
At Moor House
Jane accepts St. Johns demand that she give up learning German and learn Hindostance (397)
I thought that part was hysterical.
Jane complies but eventually rejects him and leaves.
Throughout the story emphasis is made on the size of people, the way people look, and their character. Jane's faults are constantly pointed out to her.
or character observations. " You are original," said he, "and not timid. There is something brave in your spirit (...)" St. John (375)
I think Jane Eyre balances reason and passion well.
Reason sits firm and holds the reins (201)
hypochondriac foreboding (277)
"Jane! will you hear reason?" - Rochester (302)
St John " Reason and not feeling is my guide" (375)
The ending
Like Jane's friend Helen, St. John contently dies into the embrace of god and heaven.
Jane is no longer kneeling beside her master. She sits upon Mr. Rochester's knee and walks as his prop and guide into the wood, (...) homeward" (448)
Jane is rewarded (445)
She achieves her goals in the end; love, money=independence, family and friends.
The wind that once split the tree into a cloven hoof had now delivered the mysterious summons of the soul
Jane! Jane! Jane!
I am coming, wait for me
Where are you?
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