Book Of The Month: Jane Eyre
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Jane Eyre: This is your friendly reminder to either finally read the famous novel, or dedicate a re-read to it, if you haven’t read it since your high school English class. It is a great read for the month of December, when you are cozied up with warm blankets and a steaming drink, to get swept away in this epic romance set on the dreary, haunted highlands of Britain.
Jane Eyre
Originally Published: 1847
Pages: 383
Available on: Kindle, Paperback
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Jane Eyre remains an eternally epic read, a narrative rife with deep-souled passionate romance, mania, jealousy, dark mystery, betrayal, triumph, revenge, and tragedy.
Jane Eyre was written by Charlotte Brontë in 1847. Considered a Victorian romance and Gothic Bildungsroman, Jane Eyre went down in literature history as a classic for all to treasure and learn from. If you have trouble retaining interest in the wordy Victorian novel or your general train of thought on this genre revolves around questioning why these authors choose to describe everything with the most words possible (Are they trying to beat a word count?, you wonder), this novel will bring back your appreciation for the genre. The complex themes and language of the Victorian novel are still extremely relevant, important to treasure, and beautiful to savor.
Written in the stylistically elegant and decadent language, Jane Eyre is a pleasure to read because of its powerful plot, passionate figures, and fascinating, deep dialogue. Jane Eyre is the original crazy-woman-in-the-attic story that has been copied ever since. It is incredibly rich with surprises, riveting discourse, and complicated and diverse personalities; Brontë paints this fictional world with tantalizing and obscure mystery, drawing in readers and driving onwards through the twisted storylines.
““I remembered that the real world was wide, and that a varied field of hopes and fears, of sensations and excitements, awaited those who had the courage to go forth into its expanse, to seek real knowledge of life amidst its perils.””
The narrative begins in Jane’s childhood, a penniless and unloved orphan left with her aunt, who has less-than-little patience and love for the poor girl. Considered a burden and bullied by her cousins, Jane is brought up to be a stranger to love, starved of a normal upbringing and human warmth. She is sent off to a strict and abusive boarding school for girls. There, she becomes educated and learns the comfort and beauty of friendship in one true friend, only to lose her to an illness. Again alone in the world, but now older, wiser, and prepared with a formal education, high intelligence, strong moral values, as well as a lion-strong mentality, she sets out in the world as a governess. Her position leads her to a remote, grand rural manor called Thornfield Hall, whose master is as mysterious and complex as the story that unravels there.
““It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquillity: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it.””
Here Jane’s life really begins, as she finds purpose in her position as mentor to her pupil, companionship within the manor’s residents, and an irresistible draw towards the seemingly-tortured master of Thornfield Hall, Mr. Rochester. Their attraction is one that reaches deeply and powerfully into their souls and minds; their conversations are riveting and mind-searching. Jane finally begins to feel she has found her home, a place and person that understands and loves her for exactly who she is.
However, their love story is far from smooth sailing as secretive figures from Mr. Rochester’s mysterious past find their way to his present, preventing the couple from a happy union. The very manor seems to be haunted by a malignant ghost from his past—can it be? (You’ll have to read to find out.) Heartbreak, betrayal, attempted murder and arson are just a pinch of the drama and tragedy that unravels in this romance.
There are quite a few parallels to Brontë’s own life experiences tied into the novel. To begin, Brontë was sent to a preparatory school for girls that set a harsh, disciplined environment. She also worked as a governess in 1839; she disliked the children and her position on the country estate.
Jane Eyre was a novel transcendent for the time period it was written in, going beyond the present societal norms. Jane was quite the contradictory woman: she exercised her independence from marriage twice, despite societal pressure on women to marry. She maintained her self-respect, sturdy independence, and determination to be and do exactly as she saw fit. She did not lower her standards or moral values, through the midst of much struggle and opportunity to fall. Her bluntness, conviction, and honesty are highly admirable and readers are rooting for this headstrong, romantic, and searching young woman throughout. Her mental fortitude and determination to remain true to herself will win your admiration immediately.
““I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will.””
Jane Eyre, plain and strong, is certainly an admirable female figure, making this classic novel memorable and inspirational. It’s a comforting reminder that even 19th century women could be bad-ass in a very unique way; at least, it is comforting to me.
““I do not think, sir, you have any right to command me, merely because you are older than I, or because you have seen more of the world than I have; your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience.” ”
If you enjoy this book, try Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (Charlotte Brontë’s sister!). A few other famous female authors of the time include Mary Shelley and Jane Austen.
I hope this wintery month finds you wrapped up by a fire, transported to another world of cold, windy, old English moors, mysterious rural manors, dark secrets, and hard-won free will.
““Do you think I am an automaton?–a machine without feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong!–I have as much soul as you,–and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh;–it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God’s feet, equal,–as we are!””