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Jane Eyre

Charlotte Brontë

Start date: April 15, 2015

Finish date: May 15, 2015

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Aug 27, 2009 Mary rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. At first, I only "just liked" Jane Eyre. It was written beautifully, with sophisticated and elegant language; and even if nothing very interesting was going on, it was pleasant to feel the words roll around inside of your mouth (if you mouthe them as you read, as I do.) But, I just couldn't find myself CARING about what happened to Jane. Unlike all of those around her, she was not an interesting character. Through most of the first half of the novel, I forgot that I was reading about a - suppose At first, I only "just liked" Jane Eyre. It was written beautifully, with sophisticated and elegant language; and even if nothing very interesting was going on, it was pleasant to feel the words roll around inside of your mouth (if you mouthe them as you read, as I do.) But, I just couldn't find myself CARING about what happened to Jane. Unlike all of those around her, she was not an interesting character. Through most of the first half of the novel, I forgot that I was reading about a - supposedly - fiesty and quick-witted, eighteen-year-old girl. She seemed more like an old maid. And even though she claimed to love Mr. Edward Rochester, her overly matter-of-fact and rational attitude sapped all feeling from her relation to him.

When Mr. Rochester finally unveils his devious scheme to win her love it is as though Jane feels she can abandon all of the checks she had been putting on her emotions. She seems human then and continues seeming human thoughout the rest of the novel. And of course, it is after Mr. Rochester proposes to Jane that the plot twists and curves, revelations, and ultimate conflict happen. After that point I could hardly set the book down. I read it hungrily until the last page.

I think that Brontë used this sort of character development to prove a point in her story (though I doubt that she intended it to bore anyone). I found toward the end that there was intended an ultimately Christian message - it often takes hardship or a long journey to realize your own value and to realize the grace and mercy of God. When Jane makes it to Moor House and meets St. John, she is forced to ask just what God intended for her, what exactly was the right path in her life. This goes nicely with Mr. Rochester's revelation about the mercy of God when facing his own hardships - when through most of the book the reader senses that Mr. Rochester is not a God-fearing man. So, by the end of the story, both Jane and her master have grown into better, stronger people.

The only other explanation I can think of for the change in my interest in Jane is that Brontë herself cared more about what she was writing during the second half of the story.

Other reasons that I give the novel five stars:

1. The plot was carefully organized, giving a sense of "real" to the story and definite control to the author. (Although I did feel disbelief at how perfectly crafted some "coincidences" were, such as Jane just happening to wander into the house of her only remaining relatives).

2. It wasn't an overly romantic, gushy story as I had imagined British romances to be. It was instead entirely reasonable.

3. The characters were unique and believable, bringing their own ideas and backgrounds into the story. Even the peasant class, that Jane looks down upon with her educated pride and high-class tastes, are given a voice.

It was awkward at times being so displaced from that time period. Problems that the plot centered on we no longer have to worry about. In this day and age, Mr. Rochester could have divorced his lunatic wife (though I'm sure divorce was almost unheard of then); Jane could have gone to India with St. John without having to marry him. Yet, this is hardly a hinderance to the enjoyment and understanding of the novel.

I feel that if I were to read it again, now that I can empathize with Jane, I would find the first half interesting after all. I feel it would be a good read for both men and women and highly recommend it.
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Jun 16, 2010 Kate rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: england, read-in-2014

"Jane Eyre follows the emotions and experiences of its eponymous character, including her growth to adulthood, and her love for Mr. Rochester, the byronic master of fictitious Thornfield Hall. In its internalisation of the action — the focus is on the gradual unfolding of Jane's moral and spiritual sensibility and all the events are coloured by a heightened intensity that was previously the domain of poetry — the novel revolutionised the art of fiction."
~~Wikipedia

I was actually amazed that I re ...more

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Dec 31, 2011 Helena rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite, 2012-reads, classic, romance, 1001-books, british

I loved reading about Jane and I felt I could relate to her in many ways. She really is a very strong character, she has a strong will and a strong imagination! Sometimes I felt it was kind of dragged out though.

I read the foreword for the book and it added a lot of insight for me into what was going on in the book on different levels.

I think I want to reread this some day.

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Nov 16, 2016 Trish rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016-reads, own

This is the first "classic" book I've read. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. When I first started it I had trouble understanding the old time speech, but I quickly picked it up started to enjoy it. I think I just might pick up some more older classics. ...more

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