Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre

by Harold Bloom (Editor)

Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, published in October 1847, was an immediate success, going into second and third printings by spring of 1848. Even Queen Victoria, according to her diary, read the story to Prince Albert until midnight. The tale of the poor, obscure, plain, and little governess, her brooding employer, Edward Rochester, and the madwoman secreted in the attic, Jane Eyre is considered a staple of Gothic and Victorian literature. Combining important critical essays from the previous edition with an abundance of new material, Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations deftly places Bronte's book in context and assesses its continuing popularity.

Genres: Literature, Criticism, Womens, Classics, Fiction

235 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2006

About the author

Harold Bloom was an American literary critic and the Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University. In 2017, Bloom was called "probably the most famous literary critic in the English-speaking world." After publishing his first book in 1959, Bloom wrote more than 50 books, including over 40 books of literary criticism, several books discussing religion, and one novel. He edited hundreds of anthologies concerning numerous literary and philosophical figures for the Chelsea House publishing firm. Bloom's books have been translated into more than 40 languages. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1995.
Bloom was a defender of the traditional Western canon at a time when literature departments were focusing on what he derided as the "school of resentment" (multiculturalists, feminists, Marxists, and others). He was educated at Yale University, the University of Cambridge, and Cornell University.

Reviews

[Linda Lipko · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is many years since I first read Jane Eyre; it remains one of my top three all-time favorite books.
The author gathered many writers and "experts" on the topic of Charlotte Bronte and how her real life impacted upon the story line of Jane Eyre.

While the subject is fascinating to me, I found many of the essays difficult to follow, and pedantically written. Overall, three essays stood out, one in which the author thought that Jane Eyre was a heathen and not a "Christian." Citing the fact that Charlotte used the topic of the moon and earth in many passages, and thus she worshiped earth more than Christ.

There were two cited essays, both of which thought that it was only after Rochester was crippled from the fire while trying to rescue Bertha, his crazy wife in the attic, that Jane was able to tame, and perhaps powerfully emasculate Rochester.

If you, like me, are enthralled with the book Jane Eyre, you might find this interesting to read. Be prepared to add lots of outdated words to your vocabulary.

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books. I read and re-read this story. I just cannot get enough of it. Charlotte Bronte is one of my favorite writers, so much so I named my female pug after her - Bronte Eyre!

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Book ever. Always learn something new when I re-read it.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the notes, I feel like a need to go back and read Jane Eyre again! I missed a few things.

[Constantine]

2 copies

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Compared three editions

1996
1987
2007

[Jennifer Poduska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book. Definitely one of my all-time favorites.

[Peg · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my fav English lit novels. Right up there with Jane Austin novels IMHO.