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A review by one_womanarmy
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
4.0
Jane Eyre is my favorite Victorian / classic novel, and a third re-read only confirmed that sentiment. Bronte outlines a rich, funny coming of age story about a young girl traveling from an abusive and lonely childhood to womanhood working as governess for the ward of the brooding Mr.Rochester. Through the ups and downs of life, Jane finds a way to create light and happiness even in the darkest times, and importantly, finds strength and truth in her own conscience and intelligence despite the societal pressures around her to bow, bend, submit and break.
Jane is one of my all time favorite book characters. Jane is a lovable, strong, independent and intelligent woman. Life has dealt Jane a bad hand. She lived with her abusive aunt and cousins until she was ten and then went to a very strict and harsh boarding school. Her life is narrow, but her spirit aims high and true at all costs - her mind and morals rule her in spite of her admittance at many turns to a timid and infirm physical countenance.
Although the novel was written over 150 years ago, Charlotte Bronte’s writing style is incredibly easy to follow. When I first read this book at 14 or 15, I thought of it as just a love story set in the backdrop of Victorian England. But I reread it during the lockdown last year and found so many themes I had missed the last time.
Jane is one of my all time favorite book characters. Jane is a lovable, strong, independent and intelligent woman. Life has dealt Jane a bad hand. She lived with her abusive aunt and cousins until she was ten and then went to a very strict and harsh boarding school. Her life is narrow, but her spirit aims high and true at all costs - her mind and morals rule her in spite of her admittance at many turns to a timid and infirm physical countenance.
Although the novel was written over 150 years ago, Charlotte Bronte’s writing style is incredibly easy to follow. When I first read this book at 14 or 15, I thought of it as just a love story set in the backdrop of Victorian England. But I reread it during the lockdown last year and found so many themes I had missed the last time.
Rereading the book last year I realized that it is not the “romantic novel” it is marketed to be. Edward Rochester would fall into the community of men who belittle their female workers, remind them of their inferiority, and then praise their wit. In one scene, he dresses up as a fortune teller to know how “she truly feels about him.”
Jane Eyre had to literally shout this masterpiece to remind Rochester that she’s her equal:
“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!”
Jane’s refusal to marry Rochester after learning about Bertha is where the story shines. Rochester tempts Eyre to run away with him to France, where no one knows or cares that he is married, but she refuses. She faces the betrayal with shocking strength. She rejects economic and social culture and knows that she can fend for herself, financially and emotionally. She remains in my eyes a heroine we all need - true to her heart, but ruled by her wisdom and morals. Unfailingly kind in the face of tyranny and injustice, and moved to better herself and others at all turns.