Alright, so for the first chapter plus, I had no clue what was going on. It was virtually impossible to understand the language; getting into the book a little more, I found that you need to get into the groove to begin understanding. So now, being on chapter, what, like nine or something (IX), I've finally been able to decode what the hell they are trying to say.
One of my favorite parts of the book is when the headmaster man comes and checks in on the school and he is talking to the headwoman. He tells her that he has created this school basically to condition the girls, and doesn't want them growing up with a luxurious lifestyle under their belt. I love that; although it is cruel, it is an awesome way to do things. Unfortunatley these girls will look at their childhood filled with pain from the deaths of their parents, and then the brutal emotional scarring from the Lowood home, and they'll probably be horribly upset by their pasts for years and years, but on the brightside they'll be very happy with what they come to find in their future; nothing will hurt as bad as their childhood.
I love Helen Burns, too. Instead of reading the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, we should just all be like Burns. She doesn't succumb to the scrutiny of her elders, just kind of goes with the flow. Her internal character is very strong. I appriciate that Charlotte Bronte was able to create such a stong character and not only let us see her strength through external actions, but internally we can feel her strong character. It's awesome. I don't feel like the character of Jane Eyre is that well portrayed internally, even with all her time spent in front of us.
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I'm glad you're "getting into the groove" (and I'd like to know how you've managed to do so). But I wonder about your celebration of Helen's "doctrine of endurance". Is her's really the better approach to the injustices in life? I wonder. Certainly, she's an engaging character (Bronte seems to want us to admire her), but she just as certainly serves as a 'foil' to Jane (and her tendency toward resistance).
That said, as a teacher I suppose I wouldn't mind students who were as compliant as Helen.
Nice post.
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