This month's book for the Classics Bookclub hosted by 5 Minutes For Books was Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.This was a re-read for me and I really enjoyed the part when Jane left Thornfield and found herself on the doorstep on Diana, Mary and John's house. The first time I sped through it in trying to find out if she reunited with Rochester. I missed St. John's arrogant righteousness and do not like him one bit! I cheered when Jane said she, "If I were to marry you, you would kill me. You are killing me now."
A couple of the questions from a neat book found in a used bookstore: Read It and Eat:
Bronte is considered a frontrunner in feminism. Is Jane a feminist by the standards of 1847? She would be considered un-feminine in that she spoke her mind and did not hide her intelligence. She is anything but submissive. But she is definitly ahead of her time! What about today? Today she would fit right in with speaking her mind.
Do you see any similarities between these characters and relationships and those in Pride and Prejudice? They are similar in that the female characters where a bit ahead of their times in speaking their minds and fell in love with men that that weren't the typical "knights in shining armour". Jane and Elizabeth are different in their family relationships.
I am looking forward to watching the latest BBC version of this book. The one with Timothy Dalton was hard for me because I kept picturing James Bond.
Find out what others thought about Jane Eyre. Next the Classics Book Club will be reading A Tree Grown In Brooklyn.
7 comments:
The quote:
"If I were to marry you, you would kill me. You are killing me now."
really confirmed to me that Jane is of her own person. She does have strong objections and will not be cornered into something just because...
Yeah, I think that she would fit right in today -- speaking her mind, and also doing what she wanted -- be that teaching, homemaking, missions etc.
Great thoughtful questions.
I'm not sure how to respond to the first one. I guess she could have been viewed as a feminist of sorts in her time. However, considering her position it's hard for me to know what to say.
I personally didn't see ANY similarities between Jane Eyre and Pride & Prejudice. None at all. The books left me with two completely different sets of feeling and I would never have considered to pair them. But apparently Jennifer did so, maybe I just wasn't thinking?
I've ordered the latest BBC version of Jane Eyre. Can't wait!
I agree - St. John is insufferable! Great review!
I like the quotation you mentioned when Jane talks to St. John. She certainly speaks her mind. He doesn't realize that by trying to force his beliefs on her he is really trying to make her someone she isn't.
Here is my analysis.
Rochester v. Darcy
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