I have just finished reading Jane Eyre for the Classics Bookclub. It is one of those books that I have meant to read for a very long time. I believe that I even ordered it at some point from one of the Weekly Reader book order forms that most of us were given in school from time to time, but I never took the time to read it until now. I will now encourage my daughters to read it much earlier in their lives. While Pride and Prejudice will remain at the top of my list of favorite classics, I admit I find Charlotte Brontë’s writing slightly easier to read than that of Jane Austen. Jane Eyre is darker, Mr. Rochester and his painfully kept secret reminding me more of Maxim de Winter in Rebecca than of any of Austen’s heroes.
While she is far from perfect, I love the character of Jane! I have read some commentaries that hail her as a feminist before her time. I would disagree with that assumption on two levels. First, it seems to me that modern feminism seeks to promote a political agenda often times in ways that are forceful and, to some, offensive. I do not see Jane as a promoter. She is a strong woman in many respects, but she at no point seeks to advance any social purpose. Her strength of character is an inner quality manifested in her faith in and obedience to God. When Mr. Rochester entreats her to run away with him she fights a battle within herself and delivers, in my opinion, the most important insight into her character:
Secondly, I would not label Jane a feminist because, although she is not afraid to speak her mind, she also displays a spirit of submission which would not fit with the idea of modern feminism. As strong as this spirit is, it never trumps her conviction of right and wrong. When Mr. Rochester asks her to become his mistress, she refuses on the grounds that the laws of God must be upheld. When St. John Rivers demands that she marry him before she may accompany him to India as a missionary, she offers to go as his sister but not as his wife. As persuasive as his argument is, she will not sway from her conviction that marriage to him would be a possibly fatal mistake.
My overall impression of the principle characters:
Jane – A strong woman with convictions. Young, imperfect, but admirable for her willingness to forgive, to see the good in people and to be true to God and to herself.
Mr. Rochester – A somewhat sympathetic but flawed character (a la Byron). He is dark, overbearing and often condescending, but finally redeems himself.
St. John Rivers – Egotistically pious. I won’t say “self-righteous” as it just doesn’t seem to fit…I don’t know why. I did not like him at all.
For the record, I don’t see Jane and Mr. Rochester as the equals of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth is more mature and doesn’t have the characteristics of an upbringing in poverty. She is head strong and outspoken without Jane’s submissiveness. Mr. Darcy is proud, not dark and secretive, and much of what is first seen as pride we later learn is his being uncomfortable with people or in situations in which he is unfamiliar. He keeps no secrets, and I can not possibly see him kneeling at the altar with Elizabeth while his first wife is hidden away in a third-story cell.
I have read a few other reviews that question the quality of the lives of the Brontë sisters who wrote novels such as Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. I wonder at the men they must have known to create characters such as Mr. Rochester, St. John Rivers and Heathcliff. I suppose that could be researched for more insight, but time won’t allow me to do that right now…maybe later.
I would sincerely recommend this novel to all women. Jane’s strength of character is the shining light in this otherwise dark story, and there is much we can learn from her.
If you have read Jane Eyre and have a different viewpoint (or if you completely agree with me!) please leave a comment. I’d love to know what you think. You can also read more reviews and comments at the Classics Bookclub here.
Next month – A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
It’s late, but it’s still Tuesday, and here are the ten things that I am most thankful for today:
1. My girls
2. Dedicated teachers
3. Laughter among friends
4. Rain!
5. Red Sox win!
6. Mums
7. Chamomile tea
8. Homemade soup
9. Piles of leaves
10. Pumpkins
Each week Mrs. Brownstone hosts Ten Things Tuesday. Click here to see her blog and to join us in celebrating all the blessings we might otherwise take for granted.
Until later,
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Kipi….I really enjoyed your review. I truly liked how you pointed out that Jane was not a feminist. Under your argument, I would agree as I did not look at it your way before.
Jane’s strengths….yes, you pointed out all that I thought of Jane. She is a very strong woman with wonderful qualities. Because of her strength and qualities is the reason why I love the book so. I also liked how you compared Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy with Jane and Mr. Rochester. I agree with your thoughts. I, however, am having a hard time deciding which book I indeed like best. The are both great IMHO and different that for me…this is a hard choice. I think I may be leaning more towards P&P but am not willing to go there just yet.
I, as well, wonder about the authors. I love reading the biographical portion in the book along with stuff I find on the internet.
Thanks again for well written review.
Awesome review, mom. I can’t wait to read this book, now! And I am SO excited about you reading A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. I just might read it again with you. I adored that book. Love you!
When the leaves turn and the wind starts blowing cold I think of homemade soups and stews too!
Thanks for your thankful heart.
I compared Mr. Darcy to Mr. Rochester.
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Great thoughts! Thanks for the analysis of the differences in the characters.
Jane Eyre is my all time favorite book. I have to agree that Bronte makes her characters SO much more, I hate to use the word “average”, agreeable? I found comfort in the plight of a girl who was treated as nothing, growing up poor, than I did with a semi well off girl. However one thing you neglected to point out is that Bronte follows Jane almost for her whole life (with out being too long) while we only see Elizabeth over the cores of a year? I can’t say that there is any better (or worse) job of how the character is built up however I think we see more GROWTH from Jane, perhaps more than Elizabeth.
I also agree with you that Jane is not your modern femenist. she could however still be a feminist as she continues to pursue her own goals rather than just marry (Rochester or St. John).
We were reading Virginia Woolf in class today(I high recomend! A room of on’s own, we only read selections of it but it was very interesting!) and I realized that any woman almost BECOMES a feminist when she trys to pursure her own dreams as she is sure to come up aganist oposition from the opposite sex. Perhaps I see it different.
thank you for the time and effort of that review. I have never thought to compare it to P&P as this as always been my favorite book. that made me re-think P&P … i may need to read that over chriistmas break!
Hi Shelley! I’m glad you’re here! I agree totally that seeing Jane grow from a child to a woman allows us to see her tremendous growth; however, I would argue that Elizabeth grows from something approaching a “childish” character (as apposed to a child or even “child like”) to a much more mature Elizabeth at the end of the novel. We expect a child to grow up and change, but Lizzy makes an amazing leap forward during the one-year time frame of P&P, especially if we compare her to Lydia…who I would dare say NEVER matures.
Having seen first hand the prejudices that women can still face, I would agree that all of us who do see it can’t help but have some feminist leanings. I would just differentiate between those leanings and today’s militant feminism.
All that being said, I LOVED Jane Eyre! Have you seen the A&E movie version? LOVED it, too!