Limited Depth of the Video

I was disappointed of the limited depth and explanation of the relationships of characters from the novel. Although the film did well in portraying the romance of Jane and Mr. Rochester, there was little insight of emotions such as jealousy, desire, and compassion. The absence of characters and Jane's childhood, cut the story into pieces. The movie might have shown important parts to the director, but I was looking for more and more similarities between the book and movie. As the movie progressed, I felt that the story became shorter missing the important elements and details that Charlotte Bronte purposely put in the book. Without knowing all the twists and surprises, such as knowing that St. John is her cousin, ruins the story's unique personality.

Jane Eyre Video

Although Jane says in the movie that she hates living in Gateshead, the movie only explains how much she abhors her aunt and nothing of her spite for her cruel cousin John. The movie is also very limited on the friendly connection between Jane and Helen -- as well as Ms. Temple. I thought the role of Adele was more on the spot than most of the other characters. She was always cheerful and playful. When I envisioned Blanche Ingram from the book, I saw her a very beautiful and young woman, but in the movie she does not fit the character I imagined -- she was not as beautiful. I was disappointed mostly in the fact that they did not include the gypsy scene. Another thing I noticed was that one of St. John's sister's, Mary, was never introduced.

Alternate Versions of Jane Eyre: Film versus Book

It is a practical concept that much of the original story of a novel is omitted once it has been converted into a film. Jane Eyre is such an example; the film was synthesized so that it illuminated the more dramatic scenes in the book. As opposed to the novel, which expressed each stage of Jane's life (beginning as an adolescent at Lowood) in great depth, the filmmakers rather chose to revolve most of the events around the love between Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester. This was the central conflict. Personally, I preferred the complex vocabulary and structure that Charlotte Brontë uses. Reading and understanding the story in this way, though it is much more tedious, is a benefit to me in that it expands my skills as a writer.

The Fortune

Jane inherits a large fortune from her late uncle, John Eyre. Upon bequeathing his money, Jane finds out she is the cousin of St. John and becomes elated to be a part of a family; in the Reed household, Jane was deprived  of a sense of belonging to a family, but in the care of St. John and his sisters, Jane was accepted and treated like family. St. John believes that Jane's happiness comes from her new fortune instead of  her delight in acquiring a new family; St.John is proved wrong when Jane generously decides to share her wealth with him, Mary, and Diana, and resides in the Moor household with her new loving family. Jane was right in listening to the imminent omens against staying in Thornfield because now Jane has reached a point in her life where she feels comfort and care with people of the same descent -- although she lived with her blood relations in Gateshead, the Reed family lacked the love and friendship that the Moor family is characterized by.

Mr. Rochester in Jane's mind

Jane advices to St. John to propose his love and affection to Rosamon although it's quite obvious. St. John opens up to Jane his reasons for holding back his love for Rosamond and says that she is a lovely woman, but is not fit to be the wife of a missionary. This barrier between their love resembles what Jane thought was impossible to overcome in her own life. Jane beleived that it was hopeless to end up with a higher class man such as Mr. Rochester; her dream also reminds her of Mr. Rochester, although Jane left him behind in Thornfeild, she is still attached to him and cannot forget the love they've shared. I am sure you have heard that people dream about what is mostly on their minds. Jane's desire to be with Mr.Rochester is not easily ignored or forgotten and is stucked in her mind as a reminder of what she has left behind -- romantic love that is not easily found.

St. John Rivers' Calling

The proposal may be a surprise, but the impulse is good, right? Or is it? Do you think that the missionary zeal that St. John shows gives a positive view of Christianity? Is he an admirable character, a positive religious model?

A Perfect New Life?

Most readers would be doubtful at Jane’s new status as a wandering outcast after leaving Mr. Rochester and Thornfield. But conditions seemed to look more promising as she meets St. John and his sisters, Diana and Mary, at Marsh End. The sisters are welcoming and Jane appreciates their love for reading for it is a trait the women share. This “new start” in Jane’s life, almost as if she is recovering from an abyss, gave me an interesting impression. It shows me that she actually does not need a man like Mr. Rochester in her life. She has settled in easily to a new environment: the Moor House. But do any of you think that this will be the “perfect” ending to the story, or will new troubles arise after all? Consider the distance between Jane and the reserved character, St. John.