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A Study Guide to Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre
- GenresClassics
2 pages, Audio Cassette
First published February 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 31, 2013
"Reader, I married him." Favorite line ever.
Well, I read all three of the sisters' books this summer...WH, for a second time, AGNES GREY for the first, and this one, for 'who knows' which time.
I was reading myself respond to various spots in the book as much as I was reading the book. When I was in high school, I always skipped over the beginning; Lowood depressed me and I didn't know the back story of Charlotte's older sisters dying just as Helen did. So, reading that part carefully, I heard all the lessons Helen tried to teach Jane...I saw Charlotte imbuing Helen with all the idealism she felt for her older sisters...
Once we get to Thornfield, I always perked up. I have had a love-hate relationship with Rochester for most of my life. Sometimes I adore his dark mysteriousness. Sometimes I hate the way he baits Jane and taunts her. This time, I saw his tortured soul, unable to believe anyone would ever love him for himself, and willing to take the risk of his soul to grab at that love. I saw all the foreshadowing to the horrible appearance of Bertha -- and I saw the resemblance of Bertha and Blanche. Hmmmm....
Then we were off to Moor HOuse -- another NON favorite part...often I felt it was filler for that moment when Rochester and Jane connect emotionally over the miles. I always hated the co-incidence of her stumbling onto long-lost cousins in the middle of the moors. And I never liked St. John...
This time I saw Jane see how an unyielding personality isn't good for anyone. Her observation of St. John was pointed and spot-on. I don't think she ever made the connection between her treatment of Rochester and St. John's of Rosamond...but it was there. As was her correct reading of a personality that is not of this world. Without St. John, she could never have rushed back to Thornfield and found her future.
And finally Ferndean...with redemption, forgiveness, triumph...How much richer is this reunion for the struggles they both faced while apart.
And she devotes the last page of the book, the last words, to St John...how interesting that he remains so close to her heart and mind. Perhaps she knows without him, she might never have returned to Thornfield.
I loved the asides to 'Reader', all leading up to my favorite line, "Reader, I married him." She has brought us along on this journey, through the years and through the English countryside...to a peace we are grateful she found. I, as the reader, have been there every step of the way.
It was enlightening to have read all three in quick succession. Charlotte's is by far the superior book, I feel...her characters are finely drawn, and we understand their motivation -- eventually. Their backstories are important and rich. Jane's voice is strong. The plot had to be intricately drawn before writing so all the pieces fit...she kept just enough from Jane and the Reader so that we learned along with her...the only part that irritated me was the neatness of Jane's finding her cousins who then learn of her inheritance from an uncle she knew nothing of...but she makes it work.
SO glad I read this again...wish I could talk to my mom about my new discoveries...this was "our" book.
Well, I read all three of the sisters' books this summer...WH, for a second time, AGNES GREY for the first, and this one, for 'who knows' which time.
I was reading myself respond to various spots in the book as much as I was reading the book. When I was in high school, I always skipped over the beginning; Lowood depressed me and I didn't know the back story of Charlotte's older sisters dying just as Helen did. So, reading that part carefully, I heard all the lessons Helen tried to teach Jane...I saw Charlotte imbuing Helen with all the idealism she felt for her older sisters...
Once we get to Thornfield, I always perked up. I have had a love-hate relationship with Rochester for most of my life. Sometimes I adore his dark mysteriousness. Sometimes I hate the way he baits Jane and taunts her. This time, I saw his tortured soul, unable to believe anyone would ever love him for himself, and willing to take the risk of his soul to grab at that love. I saw all the foreshadowing to the horrible appearance of Bertha -- and I saw the resemblance of Bertha and Blanche. Hmmmm....
Then we were off to Moor HOuse -- another NON favorite part...often I felt it was filler for that moment when Rochester and Jane connect emotionally over the miles. I always hated the co-incidence of her stumbling onto long-lost cousins in the middle of the moors. And I never liked St. John...
This time I saw Jane see how an unyielding personality isn't good for anyone. Her observation of St. John was pointed and spot-on. I don't think she ever made the connection between her treatment of Rochester and St. John's of Rosamond...but it was there. As was her correct reading of a personality that is not of this world. Without St. John, she could never have rushed back to Thornfield and found her future.
And finally Ferndean...with redemption, forgiveness, triumph...How much richer is this reunion for the struggles they both faced while apart.
And she devotes the last page of the book, the last words, to St John...how interesting that he remains so close to her heart and mind. Perhaps she knows without him, she might never have returned to Thornfield.
I loved the asides to 'Reader', all leading up to my favorite line, "Reader, I married him." She has brought us along on this journey, through the years and through the English countryside...to a peace we are grateful she found. I, as the reader, have been there every step of the way.
It was enlightening to have read all three in quick succession. Charlotte's is by far the superior book, I feel...her characters are finely drawn, and we understand their motivation -- eventually. Their backstories are important and rich. Jane's voice is strong. The plot had to be intricately drawn before writing so all the pieces fit...she kept just enough from Jane and the Reader so that we learned along with her...the only part that irritated me was the neatness of Jane's finding her cousins who then learn of her inheritance from an uncle she knew nothing of...but she makes it work.
SO glad I read this again...wish I could talk to my mom about my new discoveries...this was "our" book.
April 11, 2020
The Audible version has incredible naration.
May 18, 2020
Great narration and dialogue, short, sweet, classic
November 25, 2021
Really fun to read.
February 24, 2013
Loved it.
June 2, 2013
Compelling romance in an older era that held my interest throughout.
July 18, 2014
I know this is a classic and all, and I did enjoy reading it, but anyone else creeped out by the grand love story in this one?
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews