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.

Jane's Strength

It is amazing to me how Jane can leave a nice man with a glorious household to start her life over again as a beggar. Any reader of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte would not expect this turn of life for Jane. How can she not be tempted to go back to him when she is starving and alone? If it were me, I would be crawling back to Mr.Rochester by now. Her pride means more to her than her health; Jane would rather die of starvation, begging on her knees to strangers, than to go back to Mr. Rochester. The terrible omens of Jane's dream and her late mother's message must have scared Jane enough to not be driven to return to the safe arms of Mr.Rochester, who could provide shelter and food for her. Even more surprising to me was that Jane grew up deprived of love in the Reed household and now she has the strength to leave a man who devotes his love to her. I would have expected Jane to be holding onto Mr.Rochester, and never let go of his love that makes up for the years she grew up with no love.

Jane Eyre and The Romantic Movement

Chapter 27 is a great one in many ways. I'm sure you'll want to blog about the moral dilemma Jane faces and the "debate". However, please also take a few minutes to comment on how this chapter adds to our view of Bronte as a writer of the Romantic Movement. Imagination, nature, symbolism, myth, emotion, individualism, the everyday and the exotic - what shows up here?

John Reed and Ms.Reed's death

I thought that it was rather odd that Jane would visit Gateshead after John's death. If she really hated the Reed family, why would she want to visit them during these troubling times? If she were to abhor them deeply, she would not take the time to visit the family and comfort them. Before Ms. Reed dies, Jane attempts to make amends with her. Although she does not show love for Ms. Reed, Jane would rather have her die without her having contempt feelings toward her. Even when Ms. Reed shows Jane the letter from Jane's uncle, John Eyre, stating that he wishes to adopt her and leave his fortunes to her, Jane continues to try and settle her problems with her aunt. Perhaps it is Jane's character that does not accept harshness to the passing (she shows sympathy for the dying), or her deeply hidden and unknown compassion for Ms. Reed -- I see that as unlikely. Stubborn Ms. Reed does not accept Jane's kindness and refuses to forgive her, dying with the hate she always had of Jane.

Blanche and the relationship between Mr. Rochester and Jane

In chapters 18-20, Blanche is introduced to the story as the woman Mr.Rochester is going to marry.  Blanche and Jane are complete opposites in hobbies and character. She seems to be the the third wheel in between Mr.Rochester and Jane's love. The two somewhat hidden lovers are even more isolated and mysterious because of Blanche being the center problem. Mr. Rochester and Jane each hide their feelings for one another -- Mr. Rochester more than Jane. Jane obviously has feelings for him that she can not excuse; Mr. Rochester also has feelings, but are more deeply hidden.

Ms. Temple

Ms. Temple is one of the many teachers at Lowood, which Jane attends. She expresses love and communication to her students -- more than any of the other teachers could accomplish. One night, Ms.Temple invites Helen and Jane for dinner in her room. She says to Helen Burns, "How are you to-night, Helen? Have you coughed much to-day?...And the pain in your chest? (74)". Ms. Temple exhibits her feelings for her students by showing them she is concerned : "...Ms. Temple embraced us both, saying, as she drew us to her heart:-- 'Gob bless you, my children!' (76)". From this quote, we can conclude that Ms. Temple tries to treat her students equally and as if they were her own children.

Helen Burns

I thought that Helen Burn's death was unpredictable. Not in how she died, but by the things she said. She asked Jane not to be depressed on her passing, and that everyone dies at some point. As a young child, she seems to know a lot about the world around her; she is very wise and has a sophisticated vocabulary.

Jane's relationships with characters of the book

Jane prepares to confront Ms. Fairfax with respect and politeness - she does not want her relationship between them to start off bad and end up like her relationship with Ms. Reed. Upon meeting her, Jane is astounded by her kindness. Jane was expecting Ms. Fairfax to be somewhat harsh, but she is glad to realize that she is exceptionally generous and caring. We now know that Jane's relationship with Ms. Fairfax will be much better than her relationship with Ms. Fairfax.

                                 - Tara Grimes

First Week Teacher's Thread

      If Helen Burns seems "too good to be true" to you, how does that reflect on either the narrator's perception or the author's development of character? Are there other characters in the first 8 chapters that seem too "flat" to you? What expectations do you have of the balance of the novel, given the characters you've met so far?