The strengths:
The novel picks up on the big questions in life, and hence expands the readers’ minds. For example when K explores the limitations of self evaluation; how can you look at yourself from an objective position? Is it possible? Do people think that they’re doing it when they’re actually not? The novel explores the concept of identity, and how major events can 'split' one; this notion takes on a surreal perspective in the novel, where the characters are literally split into pieces, when Miu is in the Ferris wheel and sees herself in a different place. This is an extremely exciting and very post modern way of looking life-changing events. I particularly liked the style in which these ideas were narrated, through self-confessed unstable narrator K.
I also liked the way in which relationships were developed in the novel particularly that between K and Sumire, the desperateness of K’s love compared to Sumire’s naive concept of friendship, completely oblivious to K’s feelings. The way in which K describes his love for Sumire struck me, he sees love as a necessity rather than a luxury, showing some of his character and leading the readers to warm to him in sympathy.
Murikami’s description of the character’s conversation within the novel is encapsulating. The way in which the scenes are painted is magical, for example when K and Sumire meet to talk at the lake and K talks about the ancient Chinese ritual of gate building, before this the conversation is wonderful, it is so natural, which is nice to see in a novel, it feels real. I think that the end of the novel is one of its strengths; it could end very badly, this would’ve been an easy ending. However it would not have been in keeping with the feel of the novel, because so much of the book is left to the readers to come to a decision about, it is not given to the readers on a plate. They have to work to understand the novel, in their own way. This is also, I think, one of the main strengths of the novel; it is a different book for everyone who reads it, and every time you do read it you can come out with something different.
The weaknesses:
I think that the weaknesses of the novel lie in the ideas presented in it. Less liberal people may find the book offensive, even. Because of the stigma attached to same sex relationships. There may also be people who do not enjoy reading the type of book that invites the reader to come to their own conclusions about the book’s storyline, some might even see this as lazy writing, a book in which the author has not presented any ideas, has been frightened, perhaps, and therefore left it up to his readers. There are also some people who would not enjoy the surreal aspects of the novel; however I would argue that they aren’t really surreal, they are metaphors.
Friday 23 November 2007
Sputnik sweetheart Murikami explaines creativness
pg 85
'But I couldn't love her'
Here in this passage K is describing his love for Sumire. He tells the reader thaht Sumire is the love of his life. He can't possibly love anyone else. There is an interesting contrast between his relationship with the woman, who he has just had sex with (who, coincidentially is married) who tells him that he is the only one she loves, and his thoughts on Sumire. I intended for the readers to see the desparatness of K's love, a love for of barriers and complexities, a one-sided, doomed love. Within K's narration is encapsulated a despair so deep, because with all other women there seems to be an awkwardness, undoubtedly because he can't forget Sumire, in a way, here, irony is introduced. He feels he 'need's Sumire, he needs the woman he loves, love is not a luxury, at the end of the passage, 'or I wouldn't be able to survive.
'But I couldn't love her'
Here in this passage K is describing his love for Sumire. He tells the reader thaht Sumire is the love of his life. He can't possibly love anyone else. There is an interesting contrast between his relationship with the woman, who he has just had sex with (who, coincidentially is married) who tells him that he is the only one she loves, and his thoughts on Sumire. I intended for the readers to see the desparatness of K's love, a love for of barriers and complexities, a one-sided, doomed love. Within K's narration is encapsulated a despair so deep, because with all other women there seems to be an awkwardness, undoubtedly because he can't forget Sumire, in a way, here, irony is introduced. He feels he 'need's Sumire, he needs the woman he loves, love is not a luxury, at the end of the passage, 'or I wouldn't be able to survive.
Sputnik Sweetheart, Murikami explains creativeness
pg 59-60
- 'How well do we really know ourselves?'
- Writing as Murikami:
In this passage I was trying to show the readers the limits of this kind of narration. In a sense K was exploring the limitations of our thinking, because K believes that in fact thinking of ourselves in a sense is not thinking about ouselves, but it leads us more into our thoughts on the world, the human race; and K feels that he hasn't discovered , and probably never will uncover the answers to life's 'Big' questions. K hence talks of painting an objective image of oneself, which as he explores is near impossible. It's with angst that K states the opinion that it's a paradox, you can't descrbe yourself objectively, even if you try you wont be objective, you can't go outside of yourself, because you are you.
Thursday 8 November 2007
Wide Sargasso Sea is set after the abolition of slavery, placing it roughly around 1836, this is nearly 30 years after the time period in which Jane Eyre was set. Bertha neither belongs to the white society nor the Black, this puts her in an uneasy position, and makes her childhood very unstable. The reason for the racial hatred between the two races at the time was the, the Emancipation Act, passed in 1799, calling for the freedom of all the slaves by 1827. Therefore the ,slaves were now free, but in several instances in the novel Rhys shows readers that this is still not the case, (p11) ‘no more slavery! She had to laugh!’ there is now just a huge amount of racial tension, built up because of the injustices of the slave system.
I think that Bertha’s differences to Jane mark her individualism, she is a woman in her own right, not just a Creole spin on Jane. The first section in the novel is very important in forming Bertha’s character; from it the readers can build up an opinion of Bertha, and get to know her through her thoughts and opinions on the world around her.
I found that the description and language used in the first section of the novel was useful in getting to know Bertha, the way she views her world, (p6) ‘Orchids flourished out of reach or for some reason not to be touched. One was snaky looking’The Coulibri garden is wild and out of control and she builds on it with a great imagination, she likes the wildness and the sense of not being in control, it reflects her life I suppose.
Another way in which Rhys characterises Bertha is through her interaction with the other characters, a moment that one could take as an example is where she visits her mother. Bertha’s language and actions in this moment are somewhat child-like, her language portrays excitement and hope, she cannot understand that her mother could still be the same person, when she herself is in such a safe environment, ‘She was part of Coulibri, that had gone, so she had gone, I was certain of it.’. When she gets to the house she runs to her mother, she clings to her, and then is rejected by her, ‘flung me from her.’ Jane and Bertha are similar, they are both rejected by their family.
In the second and third sections of the novel it is interesting to see how Bertha is viewed by other people, a perception which is unavailable in Jane Eyre. It would however be interesting to see the novel through Bertha’s eyes in the second and third sections, where she turns ‘mad’, as I personally think that she doesn’t go ‘mad’, she’s just very very misunderstood.
I found that the description and language used in the first section of the novel was useful in getting to know Bertha, the way she views her world, (p6) ‘Orchids flourished out of reach or for some reason not to be touched. One was snaky looking’The Coulibri garden is wild and out of control and she builds on it with a great imagination, she likes the wildness and the sense of not being in control, it reflects her life I suppose.
Another way in which Rhys characterises Bertha is through her interaction with the other characters, a moment that one could take as an example is where she visits her mother. Bertha’s language and actions in this moment are somewhat child-like, her language portrays excitement and hope, she cannot understand that her mother could still be the same person, when she herself is in such a safe environment, ‘She was part of Coulibri, that had gone, so she had gone, I was certain of it.’. When she gets to the house she runs to her mother, she clings to her, and then is rejected by her, ‘flung me from her.’ Jane and Bertha are similar, they are both rejected by their family.
In the second and third sections of the novel it is interesting to see how Bertha is viewed by other people, a perception which is unavailable in Jane Eyre. It would however be interesting to see the novel through Bertha’s eyes in the second and third sections, where she turns ‘mad’, as I personally think that she doesn’t go ‘mad’, she’s just very very misunderstood.
Tuesday 6 November 2007
Characterisation of Bertha in Wide Sargasso Sea.
As the novel was written as a prequel of Jane Eyre the readers (who have read Jane Eyre previously), are naturally lead to compare the two female characters (Bertha and Jane). In some ways I think that the book is set up for this comparison, given the similarity of the circumstances of Jane and Bertha.
They are both Orphans,
They both have difficult childhoods,
They both fall in love with Rochester,
They both marry Rochester,
They both attend convent schools,
They both have issues with love and rejection.
However I think that Bertha’s differences mark her individualism, she is a woman in her own right, not just a Creole spin on Jane. The first section in the novel is very important in forming Bertha’s character; from it the readers can build up an opinion of Bertha, and get to know her through her thoughts and opinions on the world around her.
I found that the description and language used in the first section of the novel was useful in getting to know Bertha, the way she views her world, (p6) ‘Orchids flourished out of reach or for some reason not to be touched. One was snaky looking, another like an octopus with long thin brown tentacles bare of leaves hanging from a twisted root.’ The Coulibri garden is wild and out of control and she builds on it with a great imagination, she likes the wildness and the sense of not being in control, it reflects her life I suppose.
Another way in which Rhys characterises Bertha is through her interaction with the other characters, a moment that one could take as an example is where she visits her mother, after the fire and Pierre has died. Bertha’s language and actions in this moment are somewhat child-like, her language portrays excitement and hope, she wants things to be different, she cannot understand that they could be the same, that her mother could still be the same person, when she herself is in such a safe environment, ‘She was part of Coulibri, that had gone, so she had gone, I was certain of it.’. When she gets to the house she runs to her mother, she clings to her, and then is rejected by her, ‘and she said, ‘No,’ quietly. Then ‘No no no’ very loudly and flung me from her.’ In this way Jane and Bertha are similar, they are both rejected by their family.
In the second and third sections of the novel it is interesting to see how Bertha is viewed by other people, a perception which is unavailable in Jane Eyre. It would however be interesting to see the novel through Bertha’s eyes in the second and third sections, where she turns ‘mad’, as I personally think that she doesn’t go ‘mad’, she’s just very very misunderstood.
They are both Orphans,
They both have difficult childhoods,
They both fall in love with Rochester,
They both marry Rochester,
They both attend convent schools,
They both have issues with love and rejection.
However I think that Bertha’s differences mark her individualism, she is a woman in her own right, not just a Creole spin on Jane. The first section in the novel is very important in forming Bertha’s character; from it the readers can build up an opinion of Bertha, and get to know her through her thoughts and opinions on the world around her.
I found that the description and language used in the first section of the novel was useful in getting to know Bertha, the way she views her world, (p6) ‘Orchids flourished out of reach or for some reason not to be touched. One was snaky looking, another like an octopus with long thin brown tentacles bare of leaves hanging from a twisted root.’ The Coulibri garden is wild and out of control and she builds on it with a great imagination, she likes the wildness and the sense of not being in control, it reflects her life I suppose.
Another way in which Rhys characterises Bertha is through her interaction with the other characters, a moment that one could take as an example is where she visits her mother, after the fire and Pierre has died. Bertha’s language and actions in this moment are somewhat child-like, her language portrays excitement and hope, she wants things to be different, she cannot understand that they could be the same, that her mother could still be the same person, when she herself is in such a safe environment, ‘She was part of Coulibri, that had gone, so she had gone, I was certain of it.’. When she gets to the house she runs to her mother, she clings to her, and then is rejected by her, ‘and she said, ‘No,’ quietly. Then ‘No no no’ very loudly and flung me from her.’ In this way Jane and Bertha are similar, they are both rejected by their family.
In the second and third sections of the novel it is interesting to see how Bertha is viewed by other people, a perception which is unavailable in Jane Eyre. It would however be interesting to see the novel through Bertha’s eyes in the second and third sections, where she turns ‘mad’, as I personally think that she doesn’t go ‘mad’, she’s just very very misunderstood.
Sunday 4 November 2007
Comparison of the Wide Sargasso Sea BBC film and of the novel by Jean Rhys.
After reading the novel for the first time I was not particularly impressed by it. I had read Jane Eyre before it and was naturally inclined to compare them to each other, and Wide Sargasso Sea, I thought, was poorer in comparison. I then re-read section one of WSS, and, having been reading more analytically, was more disposed to liking it. I particularly liked the descriptions of ‘wild’ Coulibri. The novel is fast paced and post modern, underneath layers of confusion and wildness.
Like the novel the BBC interpretation is fast paced and very colourful. The way it is shot allows viewers to delve into the story, and follow the characters through their up and downs. However the film, I think, lends itself to the story much better than the novel, because of the ability to switch from one moment and character, to the next, without a need to spend time on explanation or ‘scene setting’. However I thought that the fact that the film did not focus any of its time on the first section was to its demise; I think that because of this we do not have a fair opinion of Bertha, she had no way of explaining her actions. I think that her experiences in the first section gravely stimulate a lot of Bertha’s behaviour, in reaction to the challenges in section 2. I would argue, from the film, that Bertha was not mad, but grimly misunderstood and not in any way treated fairly; it distorts the story. However that is not the impression that I received from the book, this is, I think a bizarre way of representing the novel.
Furthermore I think that the way in which the film epitomises Bertha’s turning ‘mad’ is very unsubtle and far too unexplained. I don’t think that the novel here was fairly adapted, it is, in my opinion, far too simplified, there is no real battle in Rochester’s mind, it appears, as to whom he should believe, this is interesting as it puts into question whether Rochester was ever truly happy with Bertha, or perhaps he was always guarded? This, then, could be a way of explaining Bertha’s reaction to the viewers, she has possibly realised this.
However the film did put more pressure on highlighting the social issues entwined within the novel, the issue of slavery certainly stuck out more in the film than in the book. The element, which film also highlighted to a greater extent, was sex. The film made sex one of its key themes and these scenes were very graphic. Certainly when I read the book this did not appear to be the case and I think that it was not very necessary to do so, however I think that the rape/affair with Amélie the servant was a very well handled element in the film, very much brought out the issues of status after the slave emancipation, and really highlighted the sense of despair which this causes to Bertha.
Overall I thought that the film was certainly an interesting interpretation of the book but that it was very one sided and the book could have been interpreted very differently, but it did make me re-evaluate my opinions of the story.
Like the novel the BBC interpretation is fast paced and very colourful. The way it is shot allows viewers to delve into the story, and follow the characters through their up and downs. However the film, I think, lends itself to the story much better than the novel, because of the ability to switch from one moment and character, to the next, without a need to spend time on explanation or ‘scene setting’. However I thought that the fact that the film did not focus any of its time on the first section was to its demise; I think that because of this we do not have a fair opinion of Bertha, she had no way of explaining her actions. I think that her experiences in the first section gravely stimulate a lot of Bertha’s behaviour, in reaction to the challenges in section 2. I would argue, from the film, that Bertha was not mad, but grimly misunderstood and not in any way treated fairly; it distorts the story. However that is not the impression that I received from the book, this is, I think a bizarre way of representing the novel.
Furthermore I think that the way in which the film epitomises Bertha’s turning ‘mad’ is very unsubtle and far too unexplained. I don’t think that the novel here was fairly adapted, it is, in my opinion, far too simplified, there is no real battle in Rochester’s mind, it appears, as to whom he should believe, this is interesting as it puts into question whether Rochester was ever truly happy with Bertha, or perhaps he was always guarded? This, then, could be a way of explaining Bertha’s reaction to the viewers, she has possibly realised this.
However the film did put more pressure on highlighting the social issues entwined within the novel, the issue of slavery certainly stuck out more in the film than in the book. The element, which film also highlighted to a greater extent, was sex. The film made sex one of its key themes and these scenes were very graphic. Certainly when I read the book this did not appear to be the case and I think that it was not very necessary to do so, however I think that the rape/affair with Amélie the servant was a very well handled element in the film, very much brought out the issues of status after the slave emancipation, and really highlighted the sense of despair which this causes to Bertha.
Overall I thought that the film was certainly an interesting interpretation of the book but that it was very one sided and the book could have been interpreted very differently, but it did make me re-evaluate my opinions of the story.
Monday 29 October 2007
Wide Sargasso Sea, section one
p 24-29
Goes to see mother, goes to school.
Passage on pg 26
Antoinnette- Quite excited about seeing her mother, -wants to see her mother, wants her to have changed- doesn't really believe that it is going to be her mother.
Mother- Harsh, confused, angry and grief stricken...crazy?
Themes
Rejection- from mother, and people looking after her mother.
Black/White- makes a point of saying what colour skin the people have, ingrained in her.
Language-
Unsure, short sentences, not certain, now that she is in a safe place, whether her mother still exists, it's like that was another world. Not much emotion behind the words, fast action. Facts not thoughts.
'Trouble' - repeated several times, as if Antionnette is evil, they are trying to indoctrinate her. Like the black/white issue.
Similarities to Jane Eyre-
Rejected, not liked, not confident, gets expectations up and then is crushed a lot.
Part one.
Lot of similarities to Jane Eyre, exotic description. Narrative voice, so that you can get inside her mind. Racism seems to be the other way round, family is at the bottom of the scrap heap. Stark contrast between the amount of description in the passive and the lack of it in the fast action. Lots of thing scare Antoinnette- action- too painfull to cunjure emotions, blank.
Status
p11
' " She grow up worthless" ' (Christophine) even though she is white she has a very low status in the West Indies, she's a 'white cockroach'
p10
argument with Tia resulting in loss of dress. Prejudices' are passed down the generations, do they know any better, do they have any idea what they are saying?
p12
'sold her last ring' all she has left that has any worth.
'all better than people' she seeks solitude, she longs for it, massive contrast with Jane Eyre.
p14
'Obeah woman' ~(Christophinhe) seen by Europeans as superstition, whitchcraft, poison. Element of the supernatural.
Contradiction, they talk of Christophine as an Obeah Woman but she is in fact a Roman Catholic, unusual for Jamaica.
p15
' " You don't like, or even recognise, the good in them." ' Anette wants to understand and know the local people, even though they hate her.
p16
'the black people did not hate us quite so much when we were poor' it is better to be white and poor than white and rich. Anntoinnette wants to be liked by the black people.
p17
'I was glad to be like an English girl' she likes to feel normal, when she's behaving how she thinks other people think she should, .
p18
Mr Mason sets himself apart from the native people, with English Decor etc.
p20
'So did Mr Mason but more slowly' Mr Mason doesn't care about Pierre, so why is he marrying Annette?
Antoinnette shows very little emotion at anything, which is a huge contrast to her mother, is she bottling it up? Is she emotionally unstable, like her mother, but in a more quiet way?
p22
Aunt Cora: ' "They are laughing at you" ' Why are the people so cruel and spitefull?
Religion
'God who is indeed mysterious' she has faith of some sort.
p23
Religion 'Bad luck to kill a parrot' but not a human?
p24
'"You cry for her- when she ever cry for you? Tell me that?"' The bitterness from the locals is really strong.
Anto about Tia 'It was as if I saw myself. Like in a looking glass' They are very similaer yet worlds apart, if circumstances were different they could be friends. It's very sad.
Motifs, snakes, evil the devil.
p25
Looks are important to Antoinnetter.
p27
She is hated by the local children, the prejudice runs deep.
p29
Similarities to Jane Eyre's life at Lowood.
p30
Antoinnettes Roman Catholic education sets her apart from the local childreen.
Helebn- Helen in JE
p31
'Would I be lonely? She asked and I said 'No' ' Like JE she has been cut off from her family.
'This convent was my refuge' a place where she can forget all about her past (JE)
p32
'Hot coffee and rolls and melting butter' stark contrast with meagre meals at Lowood
'wherever her soul is wondering for it has left her body' Her mother is dead? Or is she pretending that she is, in trying to forget, aor can she not quite beluieve that she is alive, what with her being safe.
'Everything was Brightness or dark' she likes things to be clear.
p33
Told that she's leaving with Mr Mason.
She thinks she ought to be happy, so she hides her feelings, she felt safe in the convent, set apart from the worl @(unlike JE)
p34
Dreams about a man and a dress and is worried...Hell?
p35
We learbn that the mother is dead, with very ittle emotion, as if she already knwe it.
Goes to see mother, goes to school.
Passage on pg 26
Antoinnette- Quite excited about seeing her mother, -wants to see her mother, wants her to have changed- doesn't really believe that it is going to be her mother.
Mother- Harsh, confused, angry and grief stricken...crazy?
Themes
Rejection- from mother, and people looking after her mother.
Black/White- makes a point of saying what colour skin the people have, ingrained in her.
Language-
Unsure, short sentences, not certain, now that she is in a safe place, whether her mother still exists, it's like that was another world. Not much emotion behind the words, fast action. Facts not thoughts.
'Trouble' - repeated several times, as if Antionnette is evil, they are trying to indoctrinate her. Like the black/white issue.
Similarities to Jane Eyre-
Rejected, not liked, not confident, gets expectations up and then is crushed a lot.
Part one.
Lot of similarities to Jane Eyre, exotic description. Narrative voice, so that you can get inside her mind. Racism seems to be the other way round, family is at the bottom of the scrap heap. Stark contrast between the amount of description in the passive and the lack of it in the fast action. Lots of thing scare Antoinnette- action- too painfull to cunjure emotions, blank.
Status
p11
' " She grow up worthless" ' (Christophine) even though she is white she has a very low status in the West Indies, she's a 'white cockroach'
p10
argument with Tia resulting in loss of dress. Prejudices' are passed down the generations, do they know any better, do they have any idea what they are saying?
p12
'sold her last ring' all she has left that has any worth.
'all better than people' she seeks solitude, she longs for it, massive contrast with Jane Eyre.
p14
'Obeah woman' ~(Christophinhe) seen by Europeans as superstition, whitchcraft, poison. Element of the supernatural.
Contradiction, they talk of Christophine as an Obeah Woman but she is in fact a Roman Catholic, unusual for Jamaica.
p15
' " You don't like, or even recognise, the good in them." ' Anette wants to understand and know the local people, even though they hate her.
p16
'the black people did not hate us quite so much when we were poor' it is better to be white and poor than white and rich. Anntoinnette wants to be liked by the black people.
p17
'I was glad to be like an English girl' she likes to feel normal, when she's behaving how she thinks other people think she should, .
p18
Mr Mason sets himself apart from the native people, with English Decor etc.
p20
'So did Mr Mason but more slowly' Mr Mason doesn't care about Pierre, so why is he marrying Annette?
Antoinnette shows very little emotion at anything, which is a huge contrast to her mother, is she bottling it up? Is she emotionally unstable, like her mother, but in a more quiet way?
p22
Aunt Cora: ' "They are laughing at you" ' Why are the people so cruel and spitefull?
Religion
'God who is indeed mysterious' she has faith of some sort.
p23
Religion 'Bad luck to kill a parrot' but not a human?
p24
'"You cry for her- when she ever cry for you? Tell me that?"' The bitterness from the locals is really strong.
Anto about Tia 'It was as if I saw myself. Like in a looking glass' They are very similaer yet worlds apart, if circumstances were different they could be friends. It's very sad.
Motifs, snakes, evil the devil.
p25
Looks are important to Antoinnetter.
p27
She is hated by the local children, the prejudice runs deep.
p29
Similarities to Jane Eyre's life at Lowood.
p30
Antoinnettes Roman Catholic education sets her apart from the local childreen.
Helebn- Helen in JE
p31
'Would I be lonely? She asked and I said 'No' ' Like JE she has been cut off from her family.
'This convent was my refuge' a place where she can forget all about her past (JE)
p32
'Hot coffee and rolls and melting butter' stark contrast with meagre meals at Lowood
'wherever her soul is wondering for it has left her body' Her mother is dead? Or is she pretending that she is, in trying to forget, aor can she not quite beluieve that she is alive, what with her being safe.
'Everything was Brightness or dark' she likes things to be clear.
p33
Told that she's leaving with Mr Mason.
She thinks she ought to be happy, so she hides her feelings, she felt safe in the convent, set apart from the worl @(unlike JE)
p34
Dreams about a man and a dress and is worried...Hell?
p35
We learbn that the mother is dead, with very ittle emotion, as if she already knwe it.
Tuesday 2 October 2007
38
Summary
Jane marries Rochester. Adele lives with them. They have a child, Mr R regains some sight. Diana and Mary get married too!
Interesting phrases/extracts
'Reader, I married him' Jabe is proud to be his wife, it is important.
THE END
Jane marries Rochester. Adele lives with them. They have a child, Mr R regains some sight. Diana and Mary get married too!
Interesting phrases/extracts
'Reader, I married him' Jabe is proud to be his wife, it is important.
THE END
37
Summary
Jane returns to Rochester.
Themes
Motherliness- Jane is motherly towards Rochester, swapping of roles, at last Jane has someone to be motherly towards.
Places
link to chapter one, lots of negative place description.
Interesting phrases/extracts
Jane returns to Rochester.
Themes
Motherliness- Jane is motherly towards Rochester, swapping of roles, at last Jane has someone to be motherly towards.
Places
link to chapter one, lots of negative place description.
Interesting phrases/extracts
'It was my master, Edward Fairfax Rochester, and no other.' even though she calls him master does it mean that she still feels inferior? For once in her life she could be called superior, but she doesn't feel it, not really.
' "I am my own mistress" ' she is free of being dependant.
' "Ah! But Jane I want a wife" ' ... ' "Her I love best, Jane" ' contrast with Rivers (SJ) Jane loves Rochester and he wants to marry Jane.
36
Summary
Jane sets off in search of Rochester. Jane goes to Thornfiled, it's been burnt down to the ground, she enquires at the inn as the whereabouts of Mr Rochester. Mr R burnt it down and Mr R has fled to Thorndean, having been blinded and one armed by the fire.
Themes
Religion- Jane refers to Paul and Silas, coming out of the prison freed.
Entrapment- In a way Jane has allowed herself to become trapped again, trapped in her longing to do what she thinks is 'right', when all she wants to do is return to Rochester.
Jane sets off in search of Rochester. Jane goes to Thornfiled, it's been burnt down to the ground, she enquires at the inn as the whereabouts of Mr Rochester. Mr R burnt it down and Mr R has fled to Thorndean, having been blinded and one armed by the fire.
Themes
Religion- Jane refers to Paul and Silas, coming out of the prison freed.
Entrapment- In a way Jane has allowed herself to become trapped again, trapped in her longing to do what she thinks is 'right', when all she wants to do is return to Rochester.
35
Summary
Jane hears Mr Rochester from over the moors, calling her back him, she replies tyhat she is coming.
Themes
'Not that St John harboured a spirit of unchristian vindictiveness-' St John, incapable it sweems of being unchristian, yet not many people feel comfortable in his presence.
' "I must find out what is become of him." ' no 'might' she feels she has to know what has happened to him, she still loves him very much.
Jane hears Mr Rochester from over the moors, calling her back him, she replies tyhat she is coming.
Themes
Religion- St John.
Character
Diana, becomes somewhat of a motherly figure to Jane, along with Helen, Miss Fairfax, Hannah all in contrast with Mrs Reed.
Interesting phrases/extracts
'Not that St John harboured a spirit of unchristian vindictiveness-' St John, incapable it sweems of being unchristian, yet not many people feel comfortable in his presence.
' "I must find out what is become of him." ' no 'might' she feels she has to know what has happened to him, she still loves him very much.
34
Summary
Jane arranges Moor house with Helen for the Rvers. They return home. Rosamund is engaged to another. St John tells Jane to learn Hindustani, then he asks her to marry him and come to India. She refuses sayiong that to marry him she would have to love him and she'd have to know he loves her too.
Character
St John- so very very helpful, almost too much so.
Interesting phrases/extracts
'Since those days I have seen paysannes and Bauerinnen,' She has travelled, will do so in the future, clue about what happens next.
' "The selfish calm and sensual comfort of civilised affleunce" ' (St John to Jane) he is almost unbearable in his need and pushing for justice, helping others, being faithful in faith etc.
'I never dared complain' being in St John's company makes it uncomfortable to be yourelf, knoiwing that he does so much more and never complains.
Jane arranges Moor house with Helen for the Rvers. They return home. Rosamund is engaged to another. St John tells Jane to learn Hindustani, then he asks her to marry him and come to India. She refuses sayiong that to marry him she would have to love him and she'd have to know he loves her too.
Character
St John- so very very helpful, almost too much so.
Interesting phrases/extracts
'Since those days I have seen paysannes and Bauerinnen,' She has travelled, will do so in the future, clue about what happens next.
' "The selfish calm and sensual comfort of civilised affleunce" ' (St John to Jane) he is almost unbearable in his need and pushing for justice, helping others, being faithful in faith etc.
'I never dared complain' being in St John's company makes it uncomfortable to be yourelf, knoiwing that he does so much more and never complains.
33
Summary
Mr Rivers comes back and informs that her uncle is dead, so she is now rich, £20,000, and he is her cousin. Jane leaves the school house to return to Moor house.
Mr Rivers comes back and informs that her uncle is dead, so she is now rich, £20,000, and he is her cousin. Jane leaves the school house to return to Moor house.
Themes
'It would torment and oppress me to have twenty thousand" ' oppression.
Interesting phrases/extracts
' "You could scarcely look more aghast." ' Jane is scared by such a large amount of money.
' "So with five thousand pounds they will do very well" ' Jane's immeadiate reaction to finding out that she has money and family is to share that money with her family. She is so excited about having family, much more than the money.32
Summary
Jane works hard at school, it gets slightly easier. She gets to know Rosamund Oliver better.
Interesting phrases/extracts
' "But you need not be a missionary" ' Jane has faith, but if she felt she were being called to do something, very strongly, that she disdn't want to do, she probably wouldn't do it. She can't understand why St John would chose God above love, (Rosamund). Yet didn't she do the same thing in leaving Thornfiled? She didn't want to live a lfie of sin, against God, but maybe that was only because she thoiught that then God wouldn't bless her, she is selfish at heart.
Jane works hard at school, it gets slightly easier. She gets to know Rosamund Oliver better.
Interesting phrases/extracts
' "But you need not be a missionary" ' Jane has faith, but if she felt she were being called to do something, very strongly, that she disdn't want to do, she probably wouldn't do it. She can't understand why St John would chose God above love, (Rosamund). Yet didn't she do the same thing in leaving Thornfiled? She didn't want to live a lfie of sin, against God, but maybe that was only because she thoiught that then God wouldn't bless her, she is selfish at heart.
31
Summary
Jane becomes a teacher, in herown cottage. St John comes for a visit.
Jane becomes a teacher, in herown cottage. St John comes for a visit.
Themes
Jane is confused a depressed, because she is not with MrRochester.
Character
Jane is lonely and unhappy, -angry at herself for being a snob.
Places
Describes her cottage, nice cosy little place.
Interesting phrases/extract
'My house' Jane is free, she isn't indebted to anybody in terms of shelteredge. She owns something, it's a step up.
Response
Not much happens in this chapter, it isn't very exciting.
30
Summary
Jane's relationships with the Rivers gets stronger, St John informs Jane that he has found her a position as a school mistress. Diana and Mary set off to be governesses and Jane to be a school mistress.
Themes
Religion- St John does nothing but acty as well as he can according to his faith.
Definition by contrast- Relationship between Diana and Mary compared with Eliza and Georginas, whose is a lot lot worse.
Jane's relationships with the Rivers gets stronger, St John informs Jane that he has found her a position as a school mistress. Diana and Mary set off to be governesses and Jane to be a school mistress.
Themes
Religion- St John does nothing but acty as well as he can according to his faith.
Definition by contrast- Relationship between Diana and Mary compared with Eliza and Georginas, whose is a lot lot worse.
29
Summary
Jane awakes, she talks to Hannah, finds out where she is, who she's staying with. Jane talks to the Rivers.
Interesting phrases/extracts
'Never once in their dialogues did I hear a syllable of regret at trhe hospitality which they had extended to me' they are good people, she expects herself to be thought of as a burden to others.
Jane awakes, she talks to Hannah, finds out where she is, who she's staying with. Jane talks to the Rivers.
Interesting phrases/extracts
'Never once in their dialogues did I hear a syllable of regret at trhe hospitality which they had extended to me' they are good people, she expects herself to be thought of as a burden to others.
28
Summary
Jne wonders, isolatedly across the moors. She came across a Hamlet. Jane begs ashamedly. Jane comes across the River's house, she asks to be allowed in, is turned away at first by the servant, Hannah, but then St John comes and lets her in.
Character
Jane- alone and destitute. Faith in God keeps her going, over the moors.
Interesting phrases/extracts
'I was seized with shame' Jane stills has self-respect.
'Oh providence! Sustain me a little longer! Aid! Direct me!' when Jane sah no one else she turns to God.
Jne wonders, isolatedly across the moors. She came across a Hamlet. Jane begs ashamedly. Jane comes across the River's house, she asks to be allowed in, is turned away at first by the servant, Hannah, but then St John comes and lets her in.
Character
Jane- alone and destitute. Faith in God keeps her going, over the moors.
Interesting phrases/extracts
'I was seized with shame' Jane stills has self-respect.
'Oh providence! Sustain me a little longer! Aid! Direct me!' when Jane sah no one else she turns to God.
27
Summary
Jane and Mr R talk about how Mr R came to be married. Jane sets off from Thornfield, vowing never to return.
Themes
'Reader' she does this occasionally, once again in the very last chapter, Bronte perhaps linking these because chapter 38 is proof to him that she has forgiven him, 'Reader, I married him'.
' "Do as I do trust in God and yourself." ' Religion- Jane's faith has made her stonger.
Character
Rochester- Telling the truth, finally? How can Jane or readers be sure? I f you've lied oince what is to say you wont again? When describing his first meetings with Jane he describes it as if it was love at frirst sight for him. How can Jane be sure that he isn't just saying all this to keep her?
Interesting phrases/extracts
'Reader, I forgave him at ther moment and on the spot.' ... 'only at my hearts core.' Jane cannot bare a grudge against a man she loves so much, yet she only thinks it she keeps it inside, is this because she keeps it inside? When he has hurt her so badly she feels that forgiving him really quickly is weak?
'it was not my original intention to decieve.' But he did, if you don't act on good intentions are they worthless? Link to not acting on faith, Eliza Reed.
Jane and Mr R talk about how Mr R came to be married. Jane sets off from Thornfield, vowing never to return.
Themes
'Reader' she does this occasionally, once again in the very last chapter, Bronte perhaps linking these because chapter 38 is proof to him that she has forgiven him, 'Reader, I married him'.
' "Do as I do trust in God and yourself." ' Religion- Jane's faith has made her stonger.
Character
Rochester- Telling the truth, finally? How can Jane or readers be sure? I f you've lied oince what is to say you wont again? When describing his first meetings with Jane he describes it as if it was love at frirst sight for him. How can Jane be sure that he isn't just saying all this to keep her?
Interesting phrases/extracts
'Reader, I forgave him at ther moment and on the spot.' ... 'only at my hearts core.' Jane cannot bare a grudge against a man she loves so much, yet she only thinks it she keeps it inside, is this because she keeps it inside? When he has hurt her so badly she feels that forgiving him really quickly is weak?
'it was not my original intention to decieve.' But he did, if you don't act on good intentions are they worthless? Link to not acting on faith, Eliza Reed.
26
Summary
Everything is in place for the wedding that morning, Jane is dressed and they are going to set off. They arrive at church but a man interrupts them telling them that Mr R already has a wife, Bertha Mason, he proves it and Mr R says that Bertha is mad. Jane is left feeling desolate.
Interesting phrases/extracts
‘my life lorn, my love lost, my hope quenched, my faith death-struck’ all of jane’s happiness has been ripped from her.
Jane’s faith shows through at the end of the chapter, she quotes psalm 169, she feels utterly alone, so she clings to God in her hour of need, there is none other.
Everything is in place for the wedding that morning, Jane is dressed and they are going to set off. They arrive at church but a man interrupts them telling them that Mr R already has a wife, Bertha Mason, he proves it and Mr R says that Bertha is mad. Jane is left feeling desolate.
Interesting phrases/extracts
‘So unlike myself that it seemed almost the image of a stranger’ Jane is changing, she has to be changed by this experience, has she lost herself?
‘I wonder what other Bridegroom ever looked as he did -so bent up to a purpose- so grimly resolute:’ he wants it over and done with, a sign perhaps that he is frightened that something may interrupt his purpose, but what?‘my life lorn, my love lost, my hope quenched, my faith death-struck’ all of jane’s happiness has been ripped from her.
Jane’s faith shows through at the end of the chapter, she quotes psalm 169, she feels utterly alone, so she clings to God in her hour of need, there is none other.
25
Summary
Jane is prepared for the wedding. She has strange dreams about children and disaster. Then a woman, described full of darkness, tears up her wedding dress, after coming into her bedroom. Rochester tells her to sleep in Adele and Sophie’s room so that she is not attacked again, he dismisses the woman as Grace Poole disguised by Jane’s imagination.
Themes
Dreams focused on children- mentioned in an afore chapter, when after such a dream Bessie lost her sister, could this be an omen for future events?
Character
Mr R- dismisses Jane’s vision (of dark woman) as a bad dream until she comes up with some proof whereupon he changes his mind immediately, was he hiding something? Did he know more than he let on?
Jane- excited to be becoming a bride, not quite believing that it is actually going to happen. ‘ “ Everything in life is unreal.” ’. Feels like her life is moving on, she is leaving behind all the things she loves, other than Rochester, this is slightly scary as what is Mr R is not there after she leaves everything, what will she have after that?
Interesting phrases/extracts
‘ “ You cannot do without me, that is evident” ’ Mr R to Jane. Jane cannot bear to be without Rochester which builds suspense in a way…Jane has had much misfortune in the novel, could this possibly go alright?
Jane is prepared for the wedding. She has strange dreams about children and disaster. Then a woman, described full of darkness, tears up her wedding dress, after coming into her bedroom. Rochester tells her to sleep in Adele and Sophie’s room so that she is not attacked again, he dismisses the woman as Grace Poole disguised by Jane’s imagination.
Themes
Dreams focused on children- mentioned in an afore chapter, when after such a dream Bessie lost her sister, could this be an omen for future events?
Character
Mr R- dismisses Jane’s vision (of dark woman) as a bad dream until she comes up with some proof whereupon he changes his mind immediately, was he hiding something? Did he know more than he let on?
Jane- excited to be becoming a bride, not quite believing that it is actually going to happen. ‘ “ Everything in life is unreal.” ’. Feels like her life is moving on, she is leaving behind all the things she loves, other than Rochester, this is slightly scary as what is Mr R is not there after she leaves everything, what will she have after that?
Interesting phrases/extracts
‘ “ You cannot do without me, that is evident” ’ Mr R to Jane. Jane cannot bear to be without Rochester which builds suspense in a way…Jane has had much misfortune in the novel, could this possibly go alright?
24
Character
Jane- sees through (at the beginning of the chapter) rose-tinted glasses, she is no longer plain.
Mrs Fairfax – Warns Jane about rushing into a marriage with Mr R, IS VERY WISE AND MOTHERLY IN DOING SO, WE KNOW THAT AT LEAST SHE HAS NO OTHER AGENDA THAN Jane’s Happiness, we rebuke Jane for not properly listening to what Fairfax has to say.
Jane tries to keep Mr R’s ‘extravagances’ to a minimum. Perhaps she does not want to go back to being financially dependant on anybody, or she doesn’t really believe that this is happening to her, or her doubts (and other people’s (adele and Mrs Fairfax)) are getting to her and making her more cautious in case the wedding never actually happens.
Interesting phrases/extracts
‘ “Human beings never enjoy complete happiness in this world.” ’ Jane does not want to raise her hopes, she will not accept happiness until it is completely assured.
‘ “I knew jealousy would be the best ally” ’ Mr R is not showing himself in a good light to Jane and, rightly she asks him whether he even thought of Ingram’s heart and happiness, although this does show how desperate he was in his love for Jane, although it doesn’t make Jane any more comfortable with it.
Jane- sees through (at the beginning of the chapter) rose-tinted glasses, she is no longer plain.
Mrs Fairfax – Warns Jane about rushing into a marriage with Mr R, IS VERY WISE AND MOTHERLY IN DOING SO, WE KNOW THAT AT LEAST SHE HAS NO OTHER AGENDA THAN Jane’s Happiness, we rebuke Jane for not properly listening to what Fairfax has to say.
Jane tries to keep Mr R’s ‘extravagances’ to a minimum. Perhaps she does not want to go back to being financially dependant on anybody, or she doesn’t really believe that this is happening to her, or her doubts (and other people’s (adele and Mrs Fairfax)) are getting to her and making her more cautious in case the wedding never actually happens.
Interesting phrases/extracts
‘ “Human beings never enjoy complete happiness in this world.” ’ Jane does not want to raise her hopes, she will not accept happiness until it is completely assured.
‘ “I knew jealousy would be the best ally” ’ Mr R is not showing himself in a good light to Jane and, rightly she asks him whether he even thought of Ingram’s heart and happiness, although this does show how desperate he was in his love for Jane, although it doesn’t make Jane any more comfortable with it.
23
Summary
Jane and Mr R meet in the garden, Mr R talks about Jane moving away (to Ireland). Eventually he proposes, she is very shocked, but accepts.
Character
Jane- confused, Mr R proposes after he has pretended to love Ingram? Why? Finally, she is very very happy, for the first time we see her truly content, perhaps.
Mr R- Insecure, needed to find out how Jane felt about him before he admitted his feelings to her. Also scared she’ll find out about Bertha.
Response
Happiness for Jane but a feeling of doubt, surely the rest of the novel can’t just be about their happily ever after??
Jane and Mr R meet in the garden, Mr R talks about Jane moving away (to Ireland). Eventually he proposes, she is very shocked, but accepts.
Character
Jane- confused, Mr R proposes after he has pretended to love Ingram? Why? Finally, she is very very happy, for the first time we see her truly content, perhaps.
Mr R- Insecure, needed to find out how Jane felt about him before he admitted his feelings to her. Also scared she’ll find out about Bertha.
Response
Happiness for Jane but a feeling of doubt, surely the rest of the novel can’t just be about their happily ever after??
22
Summary
Jane travels back to Thornfield.
Character
Eliza- She is nice to Jane, she comments on the fact that Jane makes a much nicer companion to Georgina, she ‘Burden’s no one’ Eliza much prefers her cousin whereas in childhood this was not the case.
Theme
Theme- Jane’s need for love. ‘There is no happiness like being loved by your fellow-creatures’.
Interesting phrases/extracts
‘A ring of golden peace’ Jane is trying very hard to ignore the supposed up-coming separation from a world of contentness, at last.
Jane travels back to Thornfield.
Character
Eliza- She is nice to Jane, she comments on the fact that Jane makes a much nicer companion to Georgina, she ‘Burden’s no one’ Eliza much prefers her cousin whereas in childhood this was not the case.
Theme
Theme- Jane’s need for love. ‘There is no happiness like being loved by your fellow-creatures’.
Interesting phrases/extracts
‘A ring of golden peace’ Jane is trying very hard to ignore the supposed up-coming separation from a world of contentness, at last.
First paragraph- Bronte comments on the fact that people’s ability to ‘stand’ other people (that annoy them) is dependant on the time that they know that they will be spending with them. Because Jane can see a definite end to her stay with the Reed’s she ignores the little annoyances that were she staying with them for an indefinite amount of time she would certainly rebuke them on.
Jane speaking to Mr R, ‘ “A loving eye is all the charm needed: to such you are handsome enough;” ’ To her he is handsome.21
Summary
Jane is summoned back to Gateshead by Bessie’s husband, John Reed has committed suicide and Mrs Reed has had a stroke. She talks to Mrs Reed.
Themes
Religion- Eliza has a strong faith. It seems to fill her days and keep her content but her faith isn’t very active, what use is faith without action?
Character
Georgina- Beauty isn’t everything. She’s completely self involved and thinks only of being popular and having nice things. She is like a spoilt child, she hasn’t grown up, she didn’t leave Gateshead, unlike Jane, definition by comparison. She wants desperately to be ‘Happy’, but, as a consequence perhaps, she is not.
Places
Jane being back at Gateshead provides the perfect opportunity for Bronte to show the reader how much Jane has changed. It allows Jane the scope to mature and rise above the things that in her childhood would have prompted her to react ‘passionately’.
Jane is summoned back to Gateshead by Bessie’s husband, John Reed has committed suicide and Mrs Reed has had a stroke. She talks to Mrs Reed.
Themes
Religion- Eliza has a strong faith. It seems to fill her days and keep her content but her faith isn’t very active, what use is faith without action?
Character
Georgina- Beauty isn’t everything. She’s completely self involved and thinks only of being popular and having nice things. She is like a spoilt child, she hasn’t grown up, she didn’t leave Gateshead, unlike Jane, definition by comparison. She wants desperately to be ‘Happy’, but, as a consequence perhaps, she is not.
Places
Jane being back at Gateshead provides the perfect opportunity for Bronte to show the reader how much Jane has changed. It allows Jane the scope to mature and rise above the things that in her childhood would have prompted her to react ‘passionately’.
20
Summary
Mr R- He tells Jane that he is to marry Ingram. Why? He is insecure and silly? He is unsure what to do, whether to go with his head (Ingram) or his heart (Jane).
Interesting phrases/extracts
Jane is called upon by Mr R to attend to Mr Mason, who has been hurt, Jane assumes by Grace Poole. Jane has a conversation with Mr R in the garden.
Character
Mr R- He tells Jane that he is to marry Ingram. Why? He is insecure and silly? He is unsure what to do, whether to go with his head (Ingram) or his heart (Jane).
Interesting phrases/extracts
‘ “Unintentionally, he might in a moment, by one careless word, deprive me, if not of life, yet forever of happiness.” ’ Mr R has it all planned, he will marry Jane and he hopes that Mr M will not give away his secret.
‘ “Well you too power over me, and may injure me” ’ he is love with Jane but fears that she will break his heart.
19
Summary
Jane being suspicious of those she does not know, or new situations, she is pessimistic, she always expects bad things to happen to her.
Character
Jane speaks to the gypsy, who asks her about love and men and in particular Mr R. The gypsy then reveals herself as Mr R. When Jane informs him that Mr Mason has come he is very alarmed.
ThemesJane being suspicious of those she does not know, or new situations, she is pessimistic, she always expects bad things to happen to her.
Character
Mr R-He is very insecure, why would he have asked Jane about her feelings towards him in disguise otherwise?
Response
Reader’s suspicions are aroused by the fact that Mr R is alarmed by the coming of Mr Mason- why? Is there something in Mr Rochester’s past that he is afraid of /ashamed of?
18
Mr Mason arrives, Jane is suspicious of him. The gypsy woman arrives. Ingram is disappointed by her visit to the gypsy. Jane is invited to see the gypsy, she goes.
Miss Ingram- Her charms aren’t working on Rochester, Jane thinks.
‘I was forgetting all his faults’ A sign of her love for Rochester, she hasn’t managed to control it yet, like she thinks she must, for her own sake.
Summary
Jane is an outsider, she doesn't join in their games yet she feels that she must be with them when Mr R summons her. She enjoys herself nevertheless. Mr Mason arrives, Jane is suspicious of him. The gypsy woman arrives. Ingram is disappointed by her visit to the gypsy. Jane is invited to see the gypsy, she goes.
Character
Lady Ingram makes snide comments and appears quite nasty.
Mr Rochester flirts with Miss Ingram when they play charades. Like mother like daughter.
Miss Ingram- Her charms aren’t working on Rochester, Jane thinks.
Interesting phrases/extracts
'She looks to stupid for any game of the sort.' Lady Ingram
'I could not unlove him now, merely because I found that he ceased to notice me-' Readers feel very sorry for Jane, not only did he break her heart but he is now rubbing it in her face'
'Miss Ingram was a mark beneath jealousy: she was too inferior to excite the feeling.' Jane has a complex about feeling inferior, she has been made to feel inferior throughout her life, as the reader has seen, she is now fighting back. I don't think it's very impressive, it's like a vicious circle, you feel/are amde to feel inferior and then when you finally don't have that problem anymore you decide to think of others as inferior? It doesn't make sense, it's idiotic.
‘I was forgetting all his faults’ A sign of her love for Rochester, she hasn’t managed to control it yet, like she thinks she must, for her own sake.
Miss Ingram- Her charms aren’t working on Rochester, Jane thinks.
‘I was forgetting all his faults’ A sign of her love for Rochester, she hasn’t managed to control it yet, like she thinks she must, for her own sake.
Summary
Jane is an outsider, she doesn't join in their games yet she feels that she must be with them when Mr R summons her. She enjoys herself nevertheless. Mr Mason arrives, Jane is suspicious of him. The gypsy woman arrives. Ingram is disappointed by her visit to the gypsy. Jane is invited to see the gypsy, she goes.
Character
Lady Ingram makes snide comments and appears quite nasty.
Mr Rochester flirts with Miss Ingram when they play charades. Like mother like daughter.
Miss Ingram- Her charms aren’t working on Rochester, Jane thinks.
Interesting phrases/extracts
'She looks to stupid for any game of the sort.' Lady Ingram
'I could not unlove him now, merely because I found that he ceased to notice me-' Readers feel very sorry for Jane, not only did he break her heart but he is now rubbing it in her face'
'Miss Ingram was a mark beneath jealousy: she was too inferior to excite the feeling.' Jane has a complex about feeling inferior, she has been made to feel inferior throughout her life, as the reader has seen, she is now fighting back. I don't think it's very impressive, it's like a vicious circle, you feel/are amde to feel inferior and then when you finally don't have that problem anymore you decide to think of others as inferior? It doesn't make sense, it's idiotic.
‘I was forgetting all his faults’ A sign of her love for Rochester, she hasn’t managed to control it yet, like she thinks she must, for her own sake.
Chapter 17
Summary
Mr R is away and Jane is heartbroken, though she doesn't admit this to tryand save face. Then the guests arrive, Miss Ingram in tow. Jane fantasises that Miss Ingram and Mr Rochester will marry.
Themes
Poverty/wealth Jane's childhood in comparison to Adeles, the little Parisian princess.
Character
Jane takes a very keen interest in the guests, she is in lovewith Mr Rochester and the reader finds it amusing because she is trying to fight back those feelings but they come out in the way she acts, and the guests might therefore find her behaviour quite unusual.
Motifs
Definition by contrast- Miss Ingram/Jane, Mr Rochester/The other men, Adele/Jane, Jane is portrayed as a moral highground, I think Jane is quite a snob. -'he is not of their kind'
Interesting phrases/extracts
'be too self-respecting to lavish the love of the whole heart' she has a guard up against letting her emotions be shown to Rochester, she thinks this makes her weak. I think that the fact that she's to scared to let her emotions show makes her weak, although the readers know, because they have in a way experienced what she has experienced, the reasons for this, past hurt and outbreaks of emotions etc.
'I compared him (Mr R) with his guests' defintion by cont.
'Good night my-' He stopped, bit his lip, and abruptly left me.' Cllue that Mr R too is literally biting back his feelings.
Mr R is away and Jane is heartbroken, though she doesn't admit this to tryand save face. Then the guests arrive, Miss Ingram in tow. Jane fantasises that Miss Ingram and Mr Rochester will marry.
Themes
Poverty/wealth Jane's childhood in comparison to Adeles, the little Parisian princess.
Character
Jane takes a very keen interest in the guests, she is in lovewith Mr Rochester and the reader finds it amusing because she is trying to fight back those feelings but they come out in the way she acts, and the guests might therefore find her behaviour quite unusual.
Motifs
Definition by contrast- Miss Ingram/Jane, Mr Rochester/The other men, Adele/Jane, Jane is portrayed as a moral highground, I think Jane is quite a snob. -'he is not of their kind'
Interesting phrases/extracts
'be too self-respecting to lavish the love of the whole heart' she has a guard up against letting her emotions be shown to Rochester, she thinks this makes her weak. I think that the fact that she's to scared to let her emotions show makes her weak, although the readers know, because they have in a way experienced what she has experienced, the reasons for this, past hurt and outbreaks of emotions etc.
'I compared him (Mr R) with his guests' defintion by cont.
'Good night my-' He stopped, bit his lip, and abruptly left me.' Cllue that Mr R too is literally biting back his feelings.
Monday 1 October 2007
Chapter 16
Summary
Jane is suprised to see that Grace Poole is still employed and decides to investigate herself. She talks to Grace and asks her if she knows what happened, Grace says that Mr Rochester forgot to blow out his candles. She also finds out that Mr R has gone off to visit a certain Miss Ingram.
Character
Jane is obviously jealous, but doesn't want to admit it to herself. She berates herself for letting herself get too full of herself, in thinking that he could possibly care for her, she is quite harsh on herself. Perhaps she feels more hurt and angry at him than she wishes to let on? (to herself)
Interesting extracts
-talking to herself- ' " A favourite with Mr Rochester? You gifted with the power of pleasing him? You of importance to him in any way? Go! You folly sickens me." '
Jane is suprised to see that Grace Poole is still employed and decides to investigate herself. She talks to Grace and asks her if she knows what happened, Grace says that Mr Rochester forgot to blow out his candles. She also finds out that Mr R has gone off to visit a certain Miss Ingram.
Character
Jane is obviously jealous, but doesn't want to admit it to herself. She berates herself for letting herself get too full of herself, in thinking that he could possibly care for her, she is quite harsh on herself. Perhaps she feels more hurt and angry at him than she wishes to let on? (to herself)
Interesting extracts
-talking to herself- ' " A favourite with Mr Rochester? You gifted with the power of pleasing him? You of importance to him in any way? Go! You folly sickens me." '
Saturday 15 September 2007
Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 15
Summary
Mr Rochester explain about Adele and Celine. The fire (in Mr Rochester's room) Jane suspects Grace Poole.
Interesting extracts
'I had a keen delight in recieveing the new ideas he offered.' Perhaps the first sign of Jane's friendship with Mr Rochester, he is less of her superior, although she still regards him as it.
'So happy, so gratified did I become with this new interest added to life that I ceased to pine after kindred.' Perhaps the fisrt sign of Jane's love forming for Mr R.
Mr Rochester explain about Adele and Celine. The fire (in Mr Rochester's room) Jane suspects Grace Poole.
Interesting extracts
'I had a keen delight in recieveing the new ideas he offered.' Perhaps the first sign of Jane's friendship with Mr Rochester, he is less of her superior, although she still regards him as it.
'So happy, so gratified did I become with this new interest added to life that I ceased to pine after kindred.' Perhaps the fisrt sign of Jane's love forming for Mr R.
Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 14
Summary
At first Mr Rochester is very busy, then he has another conversation with Jane.
Themes
Speaking one's mind, opinions about people, ways of speaking etc.
Character
Mr R. comment on Jane's bluntness, then when she corrects this and thinks more about her answers to his questions he tells her not to be evasive.
Jane is determined not to be scared of her superior, ' "your language is enigmatical, sir but though I am bewildered, I am certainly not afraid" '
At first Mr Rochester is very busy, then he has another conversation with Jane.
Themes
Speaking one's mind, opinions about people, ways of speaking etc.
Character
Mr R. comment on Jane's bluntness, then when she corrects this and thinks more about her answers to his questions he tells her not to be evasive.
Jane is determined not to be scared of her superior, ' "your language is enigmatical, sir but though I am bewildered, I am certainly not afraid" '
Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 13
Summary
Jaane, Adele and Mrs Fairfax go to Mr Rochester. Jane has her first conversation with Mr Rochester.
Themes
Poverty- comparison of Adele and Jane as a child, Adele expects presents, Jane has never really experienced them.
Character
Mr Rochester- Judges Jane's artwork. Says to Mrs Fairfax 'I shall judge for myself' in reference to Jane, does not rely on other's opinions.
Jane is suprised at Mrs Fairfax's previous description of Mr Rochester, fells that it was totally off. Jane learns some of his background.
Jaane, Adele and Mrs Fairfax go to Mr Rochester. Jane has her first conversation with Mr Rochester.
Themes
Poverty- comparison of Adele and Jane as a child, Adele expects presents, Jane has never really experienced them.
Character
Mr Rochester- Judges Jane's artwork. Says to Mrs Fairfax 'I shall judge for myself' in reference to Jane, does not rely on other's opinions.
Jane is suprised at Mrs Fairfax's previous description of Mr Rochester, fells that it was totally off. Jane learns some of his background.
Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 12
Summary
Jane helps Mr Rochester when he falls off his horse.
Character
Mr Rochester is introduced to the novel, although neither the reader or Jane are aware of it at first, it is only at the end of the chapter that we discover this.
Interesting extracts
'It was an incident of no moment, no romance, no interest in a sense; yet it marked with change one single hour of monotonous life.'
Narrative voice.
As a reader we don't realise that , Mr Rochester is Mr Rochester, if it was written in third person then we might, and I think that it would be more interesting, it would create dramatice irony. However if the book was written in third person the reader
Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 11
Summary
Jane travels to Thornfiled. Jane arrives at Thornfield and meets Mrs Fairfax and Adele, she hears 'Grace Poole' laugh.
Jane travels to Thornfiled. Jane arrives at Thornfield and meets Mrs Fairfax and Adele, she hears 'Grace Poole' laugh.
Themes
Freedom, she is free of the constraints of her childhood, she is no longer under someone else reign.
Religion, she thanks God for the changesbrought about by the move, reader notices that it's when she feels that she has been blessed that sher is closer to Gofd
Character
She at first confuses Mrs Fairfax for the owner of Thornfield. She is extremely relieved to find out that Mrs Fairfax isnice and not cold and severe as she expected, this reflects on Jane's experience of figures of authorit so far, none of whom she has respected, she's just been terrified, with the exception of Miss Temple, but who at the same time it was clear that she was not the head of authority, (Mr Brockelhurst was)
Narrative voice
A much more positive Jane.
Interesting extracts
'The charm of the adventure sweetens that sensation, the glow of pride warms it: but the throb of fear disturbs it.' even though she is excited, and proud that she has had the courage to move on their is still a tiny glow worm of fear encapsulted into her happiness.
Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 10
Summary
Chapter spans the next eight years. The school is much improved due to the investigation afyter the Typhus outbreak. Jane becomes a teacher, Miss temple leaves. Jane feels that she should move on. Bessie visits Jane. Jane heads off for Thornfield.
Themes
Entrapement. Despite feeling much better at Lowood than Gateshead Jane still feels trapped.
Character
Jane hears of the Reeds from Bessie, they're not doing well, they are immoral.
Jane is much calmer and more mature, she has learnt a lot and it shows.
Response?
Intriugment as to what will happen to Jane next, the first part of the book is over.
Chapter spans the next eight years. The school is much improved due to the investigation afyter the Typhus outbreak. Jane becomes a teacher, Miss temple leaves. Jane feels that she should move on. Bessie visits Jane. Jane heads off for Thornfield.
Themes
Entrapement. Despite feeling much better at Lowood than Gateshead Jane still feels trapped.
Character
Jane hears of the Reeds from Bessie, they're not doing well, they are immoral.
Jane is much calmer and more mature, she has learnt a lot and it shows.
Response?
Intriugment as to what will happen to Jane next, the first part of the book is over.
Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 9
Summary
Spring is coming. Typhus takes hold of the school and so rules are relaxed (many die) . Helen is sick, then dies, with Jane next to her.
Themes
Religion (Helen)
Freedom
Character
Jane- seems much less down hearted, has been freed from her past. Too young to truly grasp the notiion of death.
Response?
Life is looking up for Jane, even though Helen is dead.
Spring is coming. Typhus takes hold of the school and so rules are relaxed (many die) . Helen is sick, then dies, with Jane next to her.
Themes
Religion (Helen)
Freedom
Character
Jane- seems much less down hearted, has been freed from her past. Too young to truly grasp the notiion of death.
Response?
Life is looking up for Jane, even though Helen is dead.
Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 8
Summary
Jane is dismayed about the allegations made against her by Mr Brockelhurst. Helen soothes her and tells her that instead of thinking of human love to think of God's. Miss Temple invites them to tea. Mr Lloyd sets her free of the misjudgement of others, Jane begins to feel at home.
Themes
Religion, Kindness, rich vs poor.
Character
Mrs Temple , shows mercy and kindness, then helps to discredit the lies.
Interesting extracts
Response?
Jane has progressed slightly, she doesn't think that being rich is one of the keys to being happy. She has learnt this through her experiences, she is much happier at Lowood.
Jane is dismayed about the allegations made against her by Mr Brockelhurst. Helen soothes her and tells her that instead of thinking of human love to think of God's. Miss Temple invites them to tea. Mr Lloyd sets her free of the misjudgement of others, Jane begins to feel at home.
Themes
Religion, Kindness, rich vs poor.
Character
Mrs Temple , shows mercy and kindness, then helps to discredit the lies.
Helen calms and soothes, and is very loyal.
Interesting extracts
' " Everybody, Jane? Why, there are only 80 people who have heard you called so, and the world contains hundreds of millions" ' childish, thinks that her woes are HUGE.
' I would not have exchanged Lowood, with all its privations for Gateshead and all its daily luxuries.' Contrastable with the earlier chapter where she thought that it wasn’t possible to be poor and happy. (Mr Lloyd conversation)Response?
Jane has progressed slightly, she doesn't think that being rich is one of the keys to being happy. She has learnt this through her experiences, she is much happier at Lowood.
Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 7
Summary
Mr Brockelhurst comes into the school with his wife and daughters. He talks to Miss Temple about how he would like the school to run, and all the things that she is doing wrong. He then humiliates Jane by calling her a liar in front of the whole school.
Themes/Motifs
Jane as a scapegoat- At the begining of the chapter Jane is the scapegoat because she is one of the younger ones, picked on by the older ones and forced to share her food. She is later on made a scapgoat because she is an easy target and he has lies to tell about.
Injustice- Reader knows that Jane does not deserve to be treated like this.
Poverty/Wealth- The difference between Mr Brockelhurt's daughters and the girls at the school.
Religious hipocrisy- Bronte highlights this perhaps because there were parallels with society at the time she was writing. Christianity, Mr Brockelhusrt make references to religion to try and turn the school against Jane, 'Evil one'. He places himself above others bvecause, 'I have a master whose kingdom is not of this world' he justifies his cruelty and entrapment with his religion which angers the readers because they know that this is wrong, and hipocritical because it is not the way he treats his family, nor the way that he treats himself, he is nasty.
Characters
Places
Mr Brockelhurst comes into the school with his wife and daughters. He talks to Miss Temple about how he would like the school to run, and all the things that she is doing wrong. He then humiliates Jane by calling her a liar in front of the whole school.
Themes/Motifs
Jane as a scapegoat- At the begining of the chapter Jane is the scapegoat because she is one of the younger ones, picked on by the older ones and forced to share her food. She is later on made a scapgoat because she is an easy target and he has lies to tell about.
Injustice- Reader knows that Jane does not deserve to be treated like this.
Poverty/Wealth- The difference between Mr Brockelhurt's daughters and the girls at the school.
Religious hipocrisy- Bronte highlights this perhaps because there were parallels with society at the time she was writing. Christianity, Mr Brockelhusrt make references to religion to try and turn the school against Jane, 'Evil one'. He places himself above others bvecause, 'I have a master whose kingdom is not of this world' he justifies his cruelty and entrapment with his religion which angers the readers because they know that this is wrong, and hipocritical because it is not the way he treats his family, nor the way that he treats himself, he is nasty.
Characters
Mr Brockelhurst, malicious and vindictive, using his power for evil. Miss Temple, defender of the girls against Mr Brockelhurst, saviour, yet has little power.
Places
Lowood school, describes life at school and hardships that they must endure, illnourishment etc, ties in with injustice.
Interesting extracts
Describing everyday life, struggle, 'The fear of failure in these points harassed me worse than the physical hardships of my lot, though these were no trifles.' Jane is much less concerned with the daily struggles but much more so with overcoming all of these so as not to let her past ruin her entire life, she is determined to get through all of this and use her future.
Response?
Readers again feel sorry for Jane, they are outraged by the injustices caused by Mr Brockelhurst.
Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 6
Summary
Response?
Jane is young enough not to be able to imagine that there is a larger world, and it does not revolve around herself.
Jane observes Helen in her lessons and dislikes Mrs Scratcherd's methods, Jane then discusses this with Helen.
Themes
Christianity, contrast with Mr Brockelhurst in next chapter.
Injustice, Jane doesn't think Helen is fairly treated.
Character
Mrs Scatcherd seems horrible.
Helen appears much older than Jane, she seems to view the world with a much larger perspective, Jane's world seems much more self-focused
Interesting extracts
'I spoke as I felt, without reserve or softening' Jane has not long known Helen yet she confides everything in her, this may be a reflection of the fact that Jane has never felt safe enough to trust anyone, or that Jane is very naive, and gives away all of herself to anyone that shows her any kindness. I t could also reflect the fact that Helen is a good person, and Jane has not been shown this kindness yet.Response?
Jane is young enough not to be able to imagine that there is a larger world, and it does not revolve around herself.
Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 5
Summary
Characters
Interesting extracts
' "He is a clergyman and is said to do a great deal of good." ' Helen Burns tries to assume the best of everybody.
Response?
To the reader life for Jane doesn't seem to have improved but not once does she say that she regrets leaving Gateshead, it shows how much she disliked the emotional trauma.
Jane arrives at Lowood school, she spends her first day there. She has her first conversation with Helen Burns.
Themes
Religion, routine, poverty, physical hardships.Characters
Helen Burns is introduced to the reader. She talks to Jane and reads, she comments on the teachers but does not say that she dislikes the way that any of them work, the reader gets the impression that she is evading the language that Jane might use to describe the teachers, she is more guarded.
Places
Lowood school, church like aspect, rather harsh surroundings, cold and bare.Interesting extracts
' "He is a clergyman and is said to do a great deal of good." ' Helen Burns tries to assume the best of everybody.
Response?
To the reader life for Jane doesn't seem to have improved but not once does she say that she regrets leaving Gateshead, it shows how much she disliked the emotional trauma.
Jane Eyre reading journal chapter 4
Summary
- Jane is excluded from the Reed family, she is kept out of the way. She is then told that she is to attend school, after which she has an 'honest' conversation with Mrs Reed.
Characters
Jane is compared to Georgiana and Eliza, they are both contemptuously described. Mr Brockelhurst comes to Gateshead, he quizzes Mrs Reed on Jane and Jane on being a good Christian child. He seems pompous, harsh, judgemental and hypocritical. Mrs Reed tells him that Jane is a horrible decietful child. Jane in dispair for not only is Mrs Reed ruining her present, but also her future, knowing that this 'false' past will follow her to school.
Motifs
Injustice, poverty, wealth.
Interesting extracts
'Even for me life had its gleams of sunshine.' Jane's life is looking slightly better.
Friday 14 September 2007
Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 3
Summary
- Jane recovers from being ill, she is nursed by Bessie who is kinder to her after her fit. Jane is visited by the apothecary who asks her why she is miserable, he suggests to her that she attends school. She learns more about her background.
Characters
Mr Llyod is the first person in the novel which the reader sees connect with Jane, we see how she responds to kindness. Bessie is overheard telling Miss Abbot that Jane is 'to be pitied' too. Jane learns from this conversation that there is some truth in her theory that if she were prettier then she would be more liked, certainly by the servants at least.
Extracts
' "No; I should not like to be among poor people," was my reply. ' Jane feels that even if people are nice it is better to be with well off but horrible people than nice but poor people. She has never encountered true poverty, she does not know what it is like but she still says no, her upbringing has maybe rubbed off on her slightly.
Jane Eyre Reading Journal chapter 2
Summary
- Jane Eyre is locked in the red room. Miss Abbot and Bessie try to calm her. She screams and Mrs Reed 'thrusts' her back into the room, she has a fit.
Characters
Jane reflects on the sense of unfairness that she feels because of the way she is treated at Gateshead, she feels that she is being made a scapegoat because she is not a Reed child and she is not pretty like Georgina.
Motifs
Red, the Red room, 'deep red damask' 'carpet was red' 'crimson cloth'
Places
The red room, haunted perhaps, the place where Mr Reed died.
Narrative voice
Changes in the chapter, becomes an older Jane Eyre reflecting rather than telling the reader what she felt at the time, reflects back on why the Reeds acted the way that they did,
'I was in discord at Gateshead; I was like nobody there; I had nothing in harmony with Mrs Reed or her children, or her chosen vassalage'
Jane Eyre reading journal chapter one
Chapter one.
Summary of main events
- The main character, Jane Eyre is introduced to us as are the Reed family, Mrs Reed and her three children. Bessie, the maid, is also mentioned.
- John Reedstrikes Jane.
Themes.
- The writer begins to make the reader have sympathy for Jane.
- Jane is a troubled and lonely child.
Characters.
Mrs Reed and her children are portrayed as being harsh and unfair towards Jane. John Reed is seen as a bully.
Motifs
'Red moreen curtain' 'scarlet drapery' Red= Danger/warning, warning of Red Room=punishment/injustice/anger
Places.
The setting for this chapter is Gateshead, the Reed family home and it's surroundings. It is winter, and bleak.
Narative voice.
Jane narrates in the first person, giving the reader a direct insight into how she thinks and feels, this gives a one sided story to the reader, we only know what Jane tells us, it allows the reader to be more invested in Jane, and to feel more empathetic towards her.
Interesting phrases or extracts.
'The broken bot stranded on the desolate coast' perhaps a reflection of Jane's suituation, she has no one that she feels that she can turn to.
Response?
Reader's feel sympathetic towards her and her circumstance, they can be empathetic on one level because of the heightened feelings of injustice the readers might have felt as children.
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