Chapter 3-the end
Aschenbach travels to Venice; he goes on a boat with a group of young men, one of whom disturbs him because he is ‘old’.
Themes in the novella
Obsequious-
Meaning-
1.
Characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning: an obsequious bow.
2.
Servility compliant or deferential: obsequious servants.
3.
Obedient; dutiful.
The grubby seaman taking him to Venice is described as obsequious, Aschenbach seems to see this as an insult, he seems like a snob, he thinks that he is above them.
Greek mythology-
Apollo God of reason
He is represented in the novel by Aschenbach’s character when he judges himself to be reasonable. When, in chapter 3, Aschenbach is trying to leave Venice because he feels unwell, and uneasy, he behaves like Apollo, Mann narrates Aschenbach’s thoughts, there are similarities between Tomas (ULB) and Aschenbach, in the way that they have an interior set of rules which, although they have imposed it upon themselves, they feel duty bound to follow.
Dionysus God of passion and unreason
Represented for example when Aschenbach thinks that he should be leaving Venice and there is this general feeling that he shouldn’t’, he later realises (233) that it the desire to be near Tadzio which stops him.
Silenus
Represented by irrational characters such as the gondolier, it is as if Aschenbach thinks that these characters are threatening him to follow the way of Dionysus. The red haired man in the grave yard (beginning chapters) is the character which prompts what Aschenbach feels is the irrational need to travel to Venice.
The weather-
Represented first at the beginning of the novella, the greying skies and thunderstorms, his arrival in Venice is wet and grey, foretelling of his stay?
Colour-
Tadzio and his red neckerchief. The colours of Venice in comparison to the bleak blandness of Munich. Representative of unreason again, Aschenbach is thoroughly confused by his own actions and thoughts; he doesn’t understand himself or his attachment to Tadzio.
Beauty-
Mainly with Tadzio, the Greek God element, his perfectly formed face and figure. Also, though, in Aschenbach’s arrival into Venice, he is disappointed not to arrive in a splendid glorious Venice, instead he arrives to a greying place, a premonition perhaps?
Similarities with ULB
Tomas and Aschenbach are similar characters I think, they both frustrate the reader. They both seem like men ruled by their own rules, inside of their heads.
Tereza and the Silenus/Dionysus characters are similar I think, she is similar to the parts of the book where Aschenbach reacts with his heart, not his head.
Tadzio and Tereza, both childlike, both, in a sense, sort of angelical. Both revered by Tomas/Aschenbach, in reference to the Moses basket passages and he long descriptive Godly descriptions of Tomas.
The long periods of reflective philosophy, the moral qualms of the focal characters.
The twistedness, the warped theories, the pervertedness of the plot.
The unfinished end, the indifference of the readers.
Monday, 24 March 2008
Friday, 23 November 2007
Report on Sputnik Sweetheart, from the publishers.
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.
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.
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.
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