It is not without some embarrassment that I begin my review by admitting this to be the first time I have read Jane Eyre. For a literature scholar, reading one of the most famous English novels for the first time at age four and twenty is shocking and inexcusable. The error thus rectified, my bedpost is awarded another notch in my noble pilgrimage through the classics. It is a novel of somewhat large proportions, but I sailed through it within a fortnight and found much to enjoy. Having no knowledge of plot details beforehand, I was granted that rare and pleasant privilege of enjoying the tension and mystery to its full extent. Written in first person narrative from the perspective of the title character, the autobiography is set in the North of England and can be divided into five sections based upon the heroine’s places of residence. Beginning with Jane’s abusive childhood at Gateshead, then Lowood School, through into adulthood at first Thornfield Manor, her stay with the Rivers family at Morton and finally the conclusion at Ferndean Manor - the novel spans a rather considerable time period. It is the central stage of Jane’s drama, during her role as governess at Thornfield Manor, which forms the most important segment.
Whilst reading Jane Eyre, I could not help but make connections with Wuthering Heights, the novel of Charlotte Brontë’s sibling. Edward Fairfax Rochester, the surly Byronic hero and Jane’s love interest, seemed like a direct Heathcliffean ripoff. Although two assuredly different characters, their similarities were striking at times. One does not wish to accuse Charlotte Brontë of stealing from her sister, but the inspiration is undeniable. Also reminiscent of Wuthering Heights was the rambling descriptions of the moors in later sections, the isolated Moor House on the heath and the occasional local dialect of servants. The theme of the gothic and supernatural is also interwoven into the narrative, with frequent references and allusions to fairies, spirits and traditional folklore. Comparisons aside, Jane Eyre has enough of its own merits to stand alone as an engaging and riveting romance, although I enjoyed it less than Wuthering Heights because I was unable to find the main protagonist interesting.
The other characters of the novel are fleshed out adequately enough, but they are very much represented through the eyes of Jane. We share in her perspectives and experiences as intimately as though we were ourselves present, partaking in her mental turmoil. This diffuses a gloomy and mournful aspect throughout, a seriousness which can be a little depressing at times. A bit of humour here and there would have alleviated this somewhat, but perhaps I am missing the point. Another thing that irked me about Charlotte Brontë’s style was the constant showing off. She seems determined to flaunt her knowledge and accomplishments by making vague literary, poetical, or Biblical allusions and also by slipping into French dialogue. This did require a lot of flicking back and forth into the footnotes, often just to translate a sentence.
Equality is in itself a major theme of the novel. Ostracised from her vicious step-relatives during her childhood and suffering under a strict, depravity based regime at Lowood, Jane acquires the strength to demand personal freedom later on. It is her wilful and indefatigable rebellion against the tyranny of servitude and oppression in her quest for ultimate independence which marks her out as a prominent literary heroine. Despite not liking her, I did feel some small degree of pity and compassion for such a plain and unassuming character. Again, I seem to have littered the review with trifling criticisms rather than drawing notice to the abundant charms of the book. It contains some very skillfully constructed passages worthy or praise and the imagery is first rate. Dialogue is, on the whole, fluid and believable, characters are multi-faceted, descriptions exhaustive and the overall plot relatively well paced. It is the sort of book designed to absorb one fully into its world and on this front it succeeds remarkably. I would recommend Jane Eyre to lovers of the gothic romance.
Rating: 3/5
Whilst reading Jane Eyre, I could not help but make connections with Wuthering Heights, the novel of Charlotte Brontë’s sibling. Edward Fairfax Rochester, the surly Byronic hero and Jane’s love interest, seemed like a direct Heathcliffean ripoff. Although two assuredly different characters, their similarities were striking at times. One does not wish to accuse Charlotte Brontë of stealing from her sister, but the inspiration is undeniable. Also reminiscent of Wuthering Heights was the rambling descriptions of the moors in later sections, the isolated Moor House on the heath and the occasional local dialect of servants. The theme of the gothic and supernatural is also interwoven into the narrative, with frequent references and allusions to fairies, spirits and traditional folklore. Comparisons aside, Jane Eyre has enough of its own merits to stand alone as an engaging and riveting romance, although I enjoyed it less than Wuthering Heights because I was unable to find the main protagonist interesting.
The other characters of the novel are fleshed out adequately enough, but they are very much represented through the eyes of Jane. We share in her perspectives and experiences as intimately as though we were ourselves present, partaking in her mental turmoil. This diffuses a gloomy and mournful aspect throughout, a seriousness which can be a little depressing at times. A bit of humour here and there would have alleviated this somewhat, but perhaps I am missing the point. Another thing that irked me about Charlotte Brontë’s style was the constant showing off. She seems determined to flaunt her knowledge and accomplishments by making vague literary, poetical, or Biblical allusions and also by slipping into French dialogue. This did require a lot of flicking back and forth into the footnotes, often just to translate a sentence.
Equality is in itself a major theme of the novel. Ostracised from her vicious step-relatives during her childhood and suffering under a strict, depravity based regime at Lowood, Jane acquires the strength to demand personal freedom later on. It is her wilful and indefatigable rebellion against the tyranny of servitude and oppression in her quest for ultimate independence which marks her out as a prominent literary heroine. Despite not liking her, I did feel some small degree of pity and compassion for such a plain and unassuming character. Again, I seem to have littered the review with trifling criticisms rather than drawing notice to the abundant charms of the book. It contains some very skillfully constructed passages worthy or praise and the imagery is first rate. Dialogue is, on the whole, fluid and believable, characters are multi-faceted, descriptions exhaustive and the overall plot relatively well paced. It is the sort of book designed to absorb one fully into its world and on this front it succeeds remarkably. I would recommend Jane Eyre to lovers of the gothic romance.
Rating: 3/5
1 comment:
Much preferred The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, spooky and the ending to this book was a little disappointing. The film is cool though, very dramatic with Orson Wells!
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