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eedle_cacleberry's review against another edition
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Death, and Sexism
isabel_is_reading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
At its core, the story explores Jane’s relentless quest for home and belonging. Each segment of her life brings her closer to understanding what it means to be true to oneself, despite societal pressures and personal challenges. Brontë’s storytelling is gripping, and her execution of Jane’s character development is superb, showcasing Jane’s strength and moral integrity.
Rochester and Jane’s romance and dynamic are… interesting. I think they are good together. Jane and Rochester are each other’s intellectual equals. They are both smart, and despite the initial power dynamic (with Rochester being older and of a higher social status), they grow to care for each other deeply. Their relationship is fraught with tension, especially after the revelation of Rochester’s existing marriage to Bertha Mason. This twist showcases Jane’s moral fortitude as she refuses to become his mistress, choosing dignity and independence over passion.
While I understand why the twist made sense at the time, I find the addition of Bertha Mason to be a bit strange, especially in the context of current times. The treatment of mental illness and the racial component of her character don’t age well. Bertha Mason, also known as the madwoman in the attic, is Mr. Rochester’s first wife, whom he keeps locked in a room on the third floor of Thornfield Hall. She is a woman from the West Indies of mixed racial ancestry and is, according to Mr. Rochester, a lunatic. Rochester’s narrative of events reveals his initial allure to her beauty and wealth, only to discover her supposed madness post-marriage. His descriptions of her as having “a violent and unreasonable temper” play into the stereotype of the “other” as exotic, mysterious, and ultimately threatening. Since Bertha lacks a voice in the novel, it’s impossible to know if she truly has a mental illness or if Rochester’s biased version distorts her true character.
Jane only marries Rochester after she becomes financially independent and has a sense of family. Rochester, now weakened, tips the balance, making their relationship more equal. This can be seen as Brontë’s way of giving Jane more autonomy, which I appreciate.
The juxtaposition between St. John and Rochester is also interesting. Rochester is passionate, while St. John is driven by principles and morality. Jane’s decision to not choose St. John but still remain financially independent and follow her moral compass shows she values both passion and integrity. She won’t be in a relationship that goes against her principles, which is compelling.
Helen Burns is another intriguing character with her differing views on religion compared to the school’s doctrine. Her submissive and soft nature contrasts with Jane’s tough-willed character, who strives for a better life instead of relying on blind faith. Yet, Jane’s belief in God to guide her makes sense within her journey.
Overall, “Jane Eyre” is a novel worth revisiting for its rich themes and character depth, even if the romance aspect isn’t my preferred genre.
Graphic: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Ableism
Moderate: Racism, Death, Chronic illness, and Violence
Minor: Classism
asharamakumar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Usually when I love a book I speed through it, unable to put it down, but with Jane Eyre, I wanted to savor every word, every page, every second of it. You only get to read Jane Eyre for the first time once. It might be the only book that when I finished it, I immediately wanted to start it over again.
This is the perfect novel.
From top to bottom, it is engaging, interesting, progressive, and exciting!
The entire story is absolutely brilliant in its discussion of agency, class, gender, and place. Jane is an extremely complicated, well-developed character whose life is both tragic and incredible. Every person should be inspired by her tenacity, her strength of conviction, and her willingness to fight for herself.
I somehow managed to avoid knowing anything about the plot before reading, and if you're able to live under the same rock I did, it's totally worth it! There are so many twists!! Books just aren't like this anymore. The way the twists happen are completely masterful and have the payoff you crave in a good story. It's unexpected without being overdone or ridiculous.
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexism
booksoversecondbreakfast's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Toxic relationship, Death, Classism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Ableism, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Religious bigotry, Colonisation, Racism, and Incest
gandalf_a's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Classism, Suicide, Death, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Child death, Suicide attempt, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Chronic illness, and Confinement
Minor: Blood, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Infidelity, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Violence, Incest, Grief, and Racism
theothergrl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
If it were for that I'd give it 5 stars, however the 2nd half is heavily racist, ableist, xenophobic, and classist. Themes of colonialism and religious missions, institutionalisation, grooming (Jane is sadly very much groomed by the men in her life), etc. There is no condemnation of any of this, no revolt against bigotry in the narrative. Therefore, I can't give it a pass for being "of its time", as there are many classics which either resist against or refuse to entertain such bigotry.
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Sexism, Mental illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Classism, Colonisation, Grief, Incest, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Antisemitism, and Drug abuse
itsheyfay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Infidelity, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, and Mental illness
Moderate: Incest, Abandonment, Death, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Racism and Religious bigotry
sbookreader's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Misogyny and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Bullying, Child abuse, Classism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Colonisation, Mental illness, and Religious bigotry
tiaroseshang's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Abandonment, Blood, Grief, and Death
josisteacup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Ableism, Child abuse, Death, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Racism