However, I found myself more interested in the smaller list of titles from the 19th century. My search narrowed as I decided on what themes I was interested in pursuing: society, women. Primarily, this intrigue stemmed from the many times I have read (and listened to audiobook versions of) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. After asking around for the second time, this time with more specificity, I got significantly few hits: Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Emma, Wuthering Heights, Little Women, Jane Eyre, etc. I would be lying if I did not admit how intimidated by this list I was.
Taking the advice of my sister, I settled on Jane Eyre. For the most part, she eased my worries— calling it “fantastic” and her “favorite book.”
So…
Welcome to this literary blog on Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre!
Going into Jane Eyre, I knew little about what I should expect. “Fantastic” had set the bar for enjoyment very high and similarly, Google’s description as a “bildungsroman” had set the bar for niche vocabulary to an extreme.
A bildungsroman is a coming of age novel. As this genre implied, thus far Jane Eyre has been mainly character driven. I have seen the titular character Jane develop from age 10 to 18.
Jane implies that she takes the blows wielded by the Reeds silently. She is “accustomed to John Reed’s abuse” and “never had an idea of replying to it” (12). However, less than a page later, I was surprised to learn that Jane Eyre is not a martyr. While she is later unfairly given the blame for the fight, I was shocked to see her verbally retaliate to John and get into a brawl. Originally, I was under the impression that Jane would be a powerless child, wholly innocent and a very stereotypical victim. Before this altercation, Jane gave me strong Harry Potter vibes. She ticked all the major boxes: Orphaned pre-teen child; abusive un-loving relationship with an aunt and/or uncle; seemingly more intellectual, thin (less greedy), and quiet than the other children of the house.
However, thus far I prefer Jane Eyre to the Harry Potter series. Although writing style is the most major and obvious reason, I think Jane is also a preferable protagonist. She is more relatable because she acts in her own self-interest, while simultaneously enduring her adverse circumstances. Jane is more passionate, strong-willed, and angsty. While Harry has virtually zero hobbies or interests, Jane spends the first pages of her narrative introducing herself as an avid reader.
Jane’s most impactful act of defiance occurs when she is finally ready to leave Gateshead for school. I liked how Jane had enough confidence to call out Mrs. Reed for being a terrible benefactress, saying “the very thought of [Mrs. Reed] makes [her] sick, and that [Mrs. Reed] treated [her] with miserable cruelty” (38). Furthermore, I enjoyed how Jane’s reasoning for these remarks, telling the truth, painted Jane as a very honest person.
Over time, Jane matures significantly. A large influence in Jane’s progression is her character foil, Helen Burns. Both quiet orphans with an affinity for intellectual gain, Helen Burns and Jane are very similar. However, Helen is significantly less passionate about her treatment and is more receptive to blows upon her honor. Helen is thus more mature, complains less, and is better suited for life at Lowood.
However, Jane is perceptive and learns a lot from her conversations with Helen. In Chapter 7, Jane acknowledges their differences:
Taking the advice of my sister, I settled on Jane Eyre. For the most part, she eased my worries— calling it “fantastic” and her “favorite book.”
So…
Welcome to this literary blog on Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre!
Going into Jane Eyre, I knew little about what I should expect. “Fantastic” had set the bar for enjoyment very high and similarly, Google’s description as a “bildungsroman” had set the bar for niche vocabulary to an extreme.
A bildungsroman is a coming of age novel. As this genre implied, thus far Jane Eyre has been mainly character driven. I have seen the titular character Jane develop from age 10 to 18.
Gateshead
She begins the novel as an abused orphan in the care of the inhabitants of Gateshead. Jane’s benefactors — the living members of the Reed family: Mrs. Reed, John, Georgiana, and Eliza — resent her presence and only keep her due to Mrs. Reed’s obligation to uphold her dead husband’s final wishes.Jane implies that she takes the blows wielded by the Reeds silently. She is “accustomed to John Reed’s abuse” and “never had an idea of replying to it” (12). However, less than a page later, I was surprised to learn that Jane Eyre is not a martyr. While she is later unfairly given the blame for the fight, I was shocked to see her verbally retaliate to John and get into a brawl. Originally, I was under the impression that Jane would be a powerless child, wholly innocent and a very stereotypical victim. Before this altercation, Jane gave me strong Harry Potter vibes. She ticked all the major boxes: Orphaned pre-teen child; abusive un-loving relationship with an aunt and/or uncle; seemingly more intellectual, thin (less greedy), and quiet than the other children of the house.
However, thus far I prefer Jane Eyre to the Harry Potter series. Although writing style is the most major and obvious reason, I think Jane is also a preferable protagonist. She is more relatable because she acts in her own self-interest, while simultaneously enduring her adverse circumstances. Jane is more passionate, strong-willed, and angsty. While Harry has virtually zero hobbies or interests, Jane spends the first pages of her narrative introducing herself as an avid reader.
Jane’s most impactful act of defiance occurs when she is finally ready to leave Gateshead for school. I liked how Jane had enough confidence to call out Mrs. Reed for being a terrible benefactress, saying “the very thought of [Mrs. Reed] makes [her] sick, and that [Mrs. Reed] treated [her] with miserable cruelty” (38). Furthermore, I enjoyed how Jane’s reasoning for these remarks, telling the truth, painted Jane as a very honest person.
Lowood
Jane’s honesty is seemingly important to her honor. While she moves from Gateshead to Lowood (a not-so-charitable charity school for young women), she retains her values of intellect, honor, and honesty. In her first year at school, she seeks out friends who similarly value books and continues to be torn up over issues of shame and honesty.Over time, Jane matures significantly. A large influence in Jane’s progression is her character foil, Helen Burns. Both quiet orphans with an affinity for intellectual gain, Helen Burns and Jane are very similar. However, Helen is significantly less passionate about her treatment and is more receptive to blows upon her honor. Helen is thus more mature, complains less, and is better suited for life at Lowood.
However, Jane is perceptive and learns a lot from her conversations with Helen. In Chapter 7, Jane acknowledges their differences:
Jane states, “It seems disgraceful to be flogged, and sent to stand in the middle of a room full of people; and you are such a great girl: I am far younger than you, and I could not bear it.”
To which Helen replies, “ yet it would be your duty to bear it, if you could not avoid it: it is weak and silly to say you cannot bear what is your fate to be required to bear” (58).
Although I have not yet deciphered Bronte’s overarching messages about societal expectations on women, I can tell that Helen and Jane contrast each other's adherence to social duties. In this encounter, Jane is less mature (and acknowledges it) and more focused on upholding her own honor. As Jane reveres Helen’s “greatness”, although she can’t yet “comprehend this doctrine of endurance” (58), Jane learns to follow Helen’s example.
This passage foreshadows a future event in which Jane demonstrates a large character development. When Mr. Brocklehurt returns to Lowood and questions Jane’s honor by revealing her believed terrible nature, Jane is forced to face what she cannot bear: standing in shame in the middle of the room. I believe it is here where she transitions from shame to understanding.
Importantly, after 8 years, Jane outgrows the school. I think this shows that Jane’s character has matured beyond the lessons of childhood and is now about to learn about what it means to be a woman in real society. I appreciate that it is Jane that seeks to leave Lowood because her initiative makes her an inspiring role model.
I am intrigued to see what her role at Thornfield will be. Unfortunately, I don’t feel as if I know very much about it yet. All I can tell is that Lowood appears to have prepared her well for her role as a governess thus far. Her knowledge of proper French has helped her and she gets along pleasantly with Mrs. Fairfax and Adele Varens.
I hope to get to her eventual relations with Mr. Rochester very soon, who has not yet been fully introduced. I am curious to see what the shortcomings of Jane’s unconventional childhood will be. She has yet to have a long lasting positive male relationship (as her doctor hardly counts) so I will be interested to see if this is where she falls short.
To which Helen replies, “ yet it would be your duty to bear it, if you could not avoid it: it is weak and silly to say you cannot bear what is your fate to be required to bear” (58).
Although I have not yet deciphered Bronte’s overarching messages about societal expectations on women, I can tell that Helen and Jane contrast each other's adherence to social duties. In this encounter, Jane is less mature (and acknowledges it) and more focused on upholding her own honor. As Jane reveres Helen’s “greatness”, although she can’t yet “comprehend this doctrine of endurance” (58), Jane learns to follow Helen’s example.
This passage foreshadows a future event in which Jane demonstrates a large character development. When Mr. Brocklehurt returns to Lowood and questions Jane’s honor by revealing her believed terrible nature, Jane is forced to face what she cannot bear: standing in shame in the middle of the room. I believe it is here where she transitions from shame to understanding.
“What sensations were, no language can describe; but, just as they all rose, stifling my breath and constricting my throat, a girl came up and passed me: in passing, she lifted her eyes. What a strange light inspired them! What an extraordinary sensation that ray sent through me! How the new feeling bore me up!” - Bronte, 69In this moment, Jane begins to find comfort in her own suffering, for she knows that bearing it strongly is something to be proud of. For Jane, this feeling is only momentary, as she cries that she is “a girl whom everybody believes to be a liar” (70). However, I still think that this step began the development of Jane’s improvement. After this event, Jane begins to mature much more rapidly. Unfortunately, Helen meets an untimely death from consumption but Jane grows to fill her role as a leader at the school.
Importantly, after 8 years, Jane outgrows the school. I think this shows that Jane’s character has matured beyond the lessons of childhood and is now about to learn about what it means to be a woman in real society. I appreciate that it is Jane that seeks to leave Lowood because her initiative makes her an inspiring role model.
I am intrigued to see what her role at Thornfield will be. Unfortunately, I don’t feel as if I know very much about it yet. All I can tell is that Lowood appears to have prepared her well for her role as a governess thus far. Her knowledge of proper French has helped her and she gets along pleasantly with Mrs. Fairfax and Adele Varens.
I hope to get to her eventual relations with Mr. Rochester very soon, who has not yet been fully introduced. I am curious to see what the shortcomings of Jane’s unconventional childhood will be. She has yet to have a long lasting positive male relationship (as her doctor hardly counts) so I will be interested to see if this is where she falls short.
Works Cited
Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. New York, Vintage Classics, a division of Random House, 2009.
Short, Stuart N. Charlotte Brontë. Flickr, www.flickr.com/photos/summonedbyfells/8109336290. Accessed 17 Feb. 2021.
I like the term bildungsroman! I saw that the definition of this kind of story can include someone's spiritual formation- does Jane Eyre deal with this sort of thing? As a young person, sometimes I feel I myself am going through a kind of spiritual formation; not necessarily in a religious sense but perhaps in a philosophical sense. Perhaps this is the kind of thing that might be dealt with in a bildungsroman. I loved your comparison/contrasting of Jane to Harry Potter. I think this comparison especially allows someone (like me) who has not yet read the book get to know Jane as a person through your blog. Would you compare the character foil of Jane and Helen to Moira and Offred from the Handmaid's Tale? I am looking forward to seeing where Jane's story takes her and how you analyze her upbringing's impact on the rest of her life. I am also interested in what you decipher as Charlotte Bronte's argument in terms of women in society.
ReplyDeleteHi Adi,
DeleteThank you for reading my post so deeply! From what I've read, I don't think Jane's formation is going to be spiritual. While there have been references to religion, I don't think there is any more than is to be expected of 19th century England. References to the church or the bible seem to be used to establish the notability or honor of a person. I think Jane's formation is more likely to be revolve around her formation as a presentable woman.
In terms of character foils, I think that Jane and Helen are in a very different society from Moira and Offred so it would be hard to compare them. I'm not sure that Jane's actions are very similar to Moira's but they are definitely both the more outspoken and emotional of their respective pairing. Helen and Offred, on the other hand, are both passive.
I'm glad you mentioned the Handmaid's Tale because it made me think. Even though Offred wanted to be more like Moira (a reversal of what we would see in Jane Eyre), Atwood suggests that being passive is what helps her survive. When Jane learns to be more passive, she is more suitable for society. In this, I think Bronte might be building up to a similar commentary on passive women to what Atwood wrote about. However, I'm not sure. I could be reading more into it than what is actually there... because these ideas would be way ahead of her time.
Hi Cate- I really enjoyed reading this blog post. It seems like we had a lot of the same thoughts when reading the first section of Jane Eyre, which I'm glad of, since it means I interpreted it correctly!
ReplyDeleteI appreciated your suggestion that Jane and Helen's character foil is meant to highlight women's roles in society, because I had not made that connection yet. It seems to me that Jane has not yet been indoctrinated by society to behave in a ladylike manner, whereas Helen has been conditioned to be demure/ unassuming/ submissive/ whatever you want to call it. What do you think?
I liked that you talked about your expectations for the next section. I am also excited to meet Mr. Rochester, and am interested to see what his and Jane's relationship is like. I think you're probably right that Jane will not know how to behave around men, having only really interacted with John Reed to this point (and disastrously). Do you think there will be tension at Thornfield because of this?
I'm glad you're enjoying Jane Eyre as much as I am!
Thanks for commenting Mia!
DeleteAs far as your thoughts on my analysis of character foils highlighting a women's role in society, I think your interpretation is spot on. Jane is very free willed and less constrained by society than her female role models. As time progresses, she is punished for being rash and learns from these proper female characters how to be more civilized. Thus, her time at Lowood aids in what you referred to as an "indoctrination" by society.
When it comes to Thornfield, I definitely foresee lots of tension. Jane seems like the type to act based on her own free-will while Mr. Rochester is clearly affluent and acting based on propriety. If my knowledge of the book as a romance novel is correct, I think the combination of these two characters is bound to be interesting.
Very excited to continue reading and blogging with you!
Good discussion of the opening of your book and the character of Jane Eyre. I like the comparison to Harry Potter, as the orphaned child is a definite trope in novels, as is the misunderstood teen.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that Jane Eyre fits the orphan trope and that this trope is very common. In retrospect, I think the majority of the YA novels I read when I was younger also used it.
DeleteBeyond that of Harry and Jane, Jane Eyre’s similarities to Harry Potter stood out to me because I found that the Reed family followed similar patterns to characters in Rowling’s books. In both cases, the child was bestowed unwillingly upon a mother and requested to be “cared for as if their own.” And in both cases, the pseudo-siblings are raised spoiled and abusive while the protagonist is quiet and fair-minded.
In addition to Harry Potter, this reminded me of classic children’s stories like Cinderella and the Ugly Duckling— where the orphan’s treatment by their family stands out as particularly cruel. While both were similar, unlike Cinderella, the Ugly Duckling struck a more particular chord because Jane is self-described as less beautiful than Georgiana and Eliza. As Jane matures, grows in status, and becomes more desirable to Mr. Rochester, I think she will gain more confidence in her own beauty (transitioning from lower-class, ugly, orphan duck to well-esteemed swan).