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Jane Eyre
2022/23 Group Reads - Archives
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Jane Eyre 2023: Week 1-Oct 1-7: Chapters 1-8
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I read Jane Eyre as a child and remember being utterly enthralled. Reading it as an adult, especially the opening chapters where Jane is excluded from the circle of children around their mother, came as an almost physical shock. The emotional cruelty was intense of being bullied but blamed, and how Jane was pushed to the point of rebellion, and then further punished. She comes across as being amazingly resilient, which is magnified by her being such a small child. She has an immense amount of dignity and a strong sense of who she is, knowing she is not a liar but it hurts to think the other girls believe she is. In the earlier chapters, we learn Jane is level-headed, not wanting to be raised into poverty and preferring the comforts and cruelty of Gateshead to living with impoverished relatives. I can't help but feel she has an expectation of being treated badly wherever she is, and so would rather be treated poorly in comfort than in poverty. In Chapter VIII, her friendship with Helen turns this apparent materialism around as she prizes friendship over comfort, and discovers a type of happiness in difficult circumstances.
Mod
Yes, with my adult and parent perspective I can't help but think how damaging this life would be for a child-the complete lack of love or of any reliable adult-even Bessie turns on her at times-shown even at the end when she is sent off by her aunt on a long stagecoach trip age 10 by herself.
Mod
I think this is a common trait in abused or maltreated children-to feel guilty, that they have somehow brought in on themselves, that if they were better it would stop. Very perceptive of Brontë to understand this.
I was stunned by how perceptive and subtle the treatment of abuse was. And yes, in the one part she blames herself, but also the injustice boils up out of her control from time to time. It's as though she wants to be better (Stockholm Syndrome) but can't help herself.
This is my third time to read this novel, but for some strange reason I never remember much about the first few chapters; perhaps my memory lapse has to do with Jane’s suffering and the inexcusable conduct of her aunt and cousins. Jane’s worries that she is not good enough or is to blame for her Ill-treatment is certainly typical of an abused child. But her summoning of inner strength is truly heroic. She befriends Helen and learns self-control from her, she receives lessons in compassion from Miss Temple, and she gradually learns to experience love, however warily.
Whenever I’ve read Charlotte Bronte novels the last few years, I do so through the lens of mental health. I notice on this reread that Jane is evidently a pretty well-behaved child, but she seems to be struggling with depression even at this very young age, and that’s something the adults around her find repugnant. They don’t know what to do with it, and it cements their view of her as an outsider, even though she’s a “good” child from all other perspectives.This resonates even today, with the discomfort people often feel around depression. And it makes me feel that much more compassion for Jane Eyre (and, also, for Lucy Snow in Villette, whom I think is in the exact same boat).
We learn that Jane has great fortitude and forbearance. I think Charlotte's experience in a boarding school are communicated directly into and through Jane.I am intrigued by Mrs. Reed. What makes her so miserable?
I have read this novel multiple times and every time I find it hard to put it down. The first eight chapters describing Janes’s miserable early life whilst surrounded by the comforts and luxury of a stately home, then finally breaking free and beginning to thrive in the austere and sometimes unpleasantly spartan Lowood school, were gripping. What stark contrasts and what bold, passionate statements for the author to make from the start. Writing in the first person makes the emotion so emphatic and often startling.
’“Unjust!—unjust!” said my reason, forced by the agonising stimulus into precocious though transitory power: and Resolve, equally wrought up, instigated some strange expedient to achieve escape from insupportable oppression—as running away, or, if that could not be effected, never eating or drinking more, and letting myself die.’
I liked the way Jane’s attitude was compared to Helen’s when confronted by what seemed unfair chastisement. Jane’s view was totally subjective whereas Helen looked beyond herself to take account of wider implications. It was difficult not to agree with Jane after all she had endured, and yet I liked this quote, which helped to put into context both Helen’s and Jane’s points of view.
’Something of vengeance I had tasted for the first time; as aromatic wine it seemed, on swallowing, warm and racy: its after-flavour, metallic and corroding, gave me a sensation as if I had been poisoned.’
Jane’s precious, first friendships at the school with Helen and then Miss Temple again contrasted sharply with what she had experienced at Gateshead Hall. The only thing she could love there was an inanimate toy, a doll that was ‘a faded graven image, shabby as a miniature scarecrow.’. The most powerful indication of her fear and misery was Jane’s feeling of respite when strangers came amongst her ‘family.’
’I felt an inexpressible relief, a soothing conviction of protection and security, when I knew that there was a stranger in the room, an individual not belonging to Gateshead, and not related to Mrs. Reed.
The fact that Jane’s imprisonment in the red bedroom has already scarred her for life, makes the reader understand why she cannot find a kind word to say to her aunt Reed on her departure from Gateshead Hall.
I have never read Jane Eyre before.I saw the 1996 movie once, but I only remember little bits of it.
I am curious - what is everyone’s favorite film adaptation? There are quite a few to choose from and I’m tempted to watch a few more. I don’t mind spoilers.
I am currently listening to the audio book - the unabridged version read by Nadia May.
I listened to the first 11 chapters today.
Does listening count as reading?
Sometimes it feels like ‘cheating’.
Anyway, so far I think the book is very well written.
It feels very realistic. I can tell the author is writing from experience.
I like that the story is told from Jane’s perspective. She seems very rebellious and feisty. I’m sure that personality will get her into trouble.
The beginning of the book reminded me of Mansfield Park. Similar to Fanny, Jane Eyre is a poor child who lives with her aunt and cousins but they are not kind to her and constantly remind her of her position in life and her inferiority. Even the maid believes Jane to be less than a servant, because she does nothing for her keep.
The treatment Jane receives is very cold and cruel for today's standards. Locking a child in a dark room where her uncle (recently) died seems like a pretty insensitive thing to do. Especially since everyone seems to believe in ghosts.
That sort of treatment must have been common back then since no one is shocked.
Mod
I saw the 1996 movie once, but I only remember little bits of it.
I am curious - what is everyone’s favorite film adaptation? There are quite a few to choose fro..."
I have started a separate thread to discuss this as it may come up at different stages of peoples' reading, and discussions of films/TV can sometimes overwhelm the other discussion! Please head over there to answer this part of Ana's post.
Mod
I also was struck by how quickly Jane was taken in and loved by those around her at Lowood-truly reminding us how badly served she was by her so-called family who couldn't find it in their hearts to care for and protect an orphan niece who came as an infant.
Mod
The treatment Jane receives is very cold and cruel for today's standards. Locking a child in a dark room where her uncle (recently) died seems like a pretty insensitive thing to do. Especially since everyone seems to believe in ghosts.
That sort of treatment must have been common back then since no one is shocked.."
I agree that her treatment was horrible, and that if even the servants thought they could be unkind to her it does suggest she was very much the scapegoat of the family. I expect that in these isolated communities, people would follow the lead of the head of the household, and in this case it was Mrs Reed who set the tone for everyone else in the household.
Mod
That is interesting and one can certainly see the contrast between the two authors, or perhaps one can lump the Brontës together and say between Austen and the Brontēs. Perhaps even a Sense vs Sensibility?
Bessie's a very ambivalent character, isn't she? She does feel affection for Jane, but at the same time seems to believe Jane deserves what she gets. It must be quite disturbing for Jane that the only person that shows any affection for her concurs with her aunt's opinion of her - and also that she can't depend on Bessie's support.Every time I've read this I've found myself mentally urging Bessie on to be more consistent!
Of course, Bessie, as a servant dependent on Mrs Reed for her livelihood, can't be blamed for not standing up for Jane against her employer; but that doesn't make it any better for Jane.
It did make my blood run cold to read that to be accepted into the warmth of the family circle is a privilege reserved for 'happy and contented' children - how often do we still see today 'happiness' regarded as a virtue, even as a requirement in job adverts?
Adria wrote: "Jenny H, happiness quotient almost like emotional intelligence. in this story, that is people are judge based off some psychological standard, and found wanting, discarded or further mistreated. Ja..."No, I said that, but Bessie reinforces the Reeds' judgment that it's all Jane's fault
Mod
What do we learn of Jane Eyre in terms of character in this section?
Were there any supporting characters in this section that particularly struck you-for good or ill-as well-drawn, compelling, or someone you would like to learn more of?
Charlotte Brontë was not an orphan, but she was both a pupil and a teacher at a boarding school at different times in her life. How do you feel that those experiences have coloured her writing here?
Please share your thoughts on this opening section, feeling free to use or ignore the prompts above.