Blinded by love, Handicapped by ignorance

So the love birds come through for us-- Rochester and Jane UNITE.  Righteous. I wonder if Bronte blinded and handicapped Rochester physically in the end in order to enforce her notion that Rochester was blind to the fact that Jane would not have him unless they were equals (handicapping him from obtaining true happiness, and of course, true love).  Now, that he is dependent on her, rather than the other way around she can finally let herself fall into his arms forever.  I'm not sure I agree with Jane's actions here.  I can understand her desperation for independence, but I think that JANE is blind, the entire novel, to the fact that you can be in love without being dependent.  You don't have to let your well-being depend on nature of your relationship.  It would TRULY show strength if she had allowed herself to fall in love while still remaining in command of herself. Not that this is an easy task, as they say, many are "blinded by love" sinking them down into a state of utter vulnerability.  

Then there is the other injury Bronte imposed upon our friend Edward R., namely, the loss of his hand.  Maybe this has something to do with accepting someone's "right hand in marriage".    It's curious how he lost it in a fire at the same time he lost Bertha.  His hand left him just as his wife did--leaving his other hand (signifying a second chance) for Jane.   It's a thought. 

Connection between the moon and the baby dream

Obviously this book is about feminism and equality or possibly lack thereof. However is there a connection between the Moon, Mother Nature, and the reoccuring dream's Jane has with the Baby? For my Essay I'm going to explore this. I believe that the Baby dream Jane has is connected to Motherly instinct. It has been said that a Mother can sense when her baby is in grave danger, sort of like having a 6th sense. Since Jane's dreams involve a baby and often prelude to something bad could this mean that Jane is experiancing a 6th sense? Furthermore the connection between night, the moon and having a 6th sense can also be made. Prehapse, like a mother, nature can sense something that could happen and since the women is associated with the moon it is possible that Bronte is making a connection between the fact that night-time, since it's dark, can see somethings in a new light and therefore give warning about what is to come the same way a mother can sense her child is in danger. The connection between night/the moon is directly realted to Jane's baby dream for these reasons. The dream comes at night, a time associated with women, and since nature is often a women, mother nature, it is also associated with child-bearing and child-rearing. Therefore Jane's dream is both a mother's sense and a women's sense becuase it is associated with night-time, child-rearing, and danger. Three thigns that can be and often are associated with women.
The connection could also be made between nature, feminism and fire. Fire presents danger and femine passion, plus fire is an element of nature, just like babies could be considered an element of women. Therefore Jane's dreams about the babies, and the fact that these dreams represent that someone is in danger of dying parrallel the fire that Jane and Bertha's passion create.
A passage from the book that examplifies this is when Jane is climbing up the wall, in her dream, holding a child in the ruins of Thornfield hall. This parrallel's Jane returning to Rochester after Bertha burns down the house, and seeing the ruins of Thornfield Hall and Bertha being dead, and the doors opening for Rochester and Jane to rekindle (a fire term) their firey romance. And also Jane has children, I'm not sure if that can be connected.
Essentially Nature mirrors feminism and fire is an act of nature that symbolizes femine passion and females are the child bearers and have a 6th sense about their children, so in a sense mother nature gives Jane both passion, in the form of fire, and waring, in the form of a dream that takes place in Janes sleep during the night, a time associated with women, that involves a baby. Nature mirrors Jane.

F*** Jane

JAne is the dumbest girl alive, I hope she never gets a boyfriend and gets hit by a horse so she even uglier. That way she cant even be a lesbian because not even Rosee Odanald would take her. Jane is going nowhere in life and will probably be the person to invent the next hard drug. Actually she isnt even smart enough all she can do is be a hooker, Leaving Rochester was the dumbest thing she has ever done............... I HATE HER WITH A BURNING PASSION

janes choice

when jane first made the decision to leave rodchester i must admite i was a little disapointed in her reaction. i didnt make sense to throw away what the had for somthing that she forgave him for right away, but on further review of what jane is all about it was her only choice. she is all about equality in relationships and this marrige just would not have mmet her standards beside the fact that he had been keeping her in the dark about bertha the whole time she wasnt given the opportunityto make a choice wit all the facts till after the fact thats just not jane,

Jane's persuit to.........?

I have become so frustrated with Janes ignorence and stupidity. She sets a goal for her self to accomplish, and then she works for it so hard, and then she throws it away once she obtains it. For example, I had thought that the point of the whole book was for Jane to win Rochesters love, and she finaly finds it and their hearts beat as one, but then the next day she peaces before any one even wakes up? That just makes me so mad. She says that inside she forgives him, but she can not give in to it. If she truly feels that she forgives him than why the hell would she just walk out on him. It makes me so mad just thinking about it and it is even worse to write about it. I hate JANE, she straight up sucks. Then her cuz asks for her hand in marriage????what is up with that, if any of my family members asked me to marry them I would change my name and move out of the country. Then she decides that it would be a good time for her to go back and see Rochester. She thinks that she can just walk out on him like that and then show up whenever she wants? She also expects him to jsut take her back? I think Rochester is the only good charecter in the book, his only flaw is that he is assosiated with stuiped Jane Eyre. All and all I think that Jane should just jump off of a cliff and make eery ones life easier...

Farewell to Jane Eyre

Although it is a bit of a fairytale ending, i think it was Jane deserves, and she is finally ready for it. I think she can see past Mr. Rochester's defences because she was never attracted to his looks but more his soul and his character. This becomes evident to Rochester when he sees that Jane has truly commit ed herself to him, and never again will he be alone. I though it was a little bit weird of Bronte to include superstition in her conclusion because it makes Rochester and Jane's act of reuniting less believable. I was thinking that maybe Jane really did hear Mr. Rochester call for her, because for all we know the Moor House could be right of the hill from Ferndean. I find the way that Bertha died a bit ironic, because in her attempt to kill Jane, who she thought was still living at Thornfield, she actually killed herself and allowed the marriage of Jane and Rochester to actually take place. Although Rochester was left blind and crippled after the fire, Jane does not let this serve as yet another obstacle to their union. She sees past his physical deformities, because according to her his loss of sight and missing hand aren't as bad as if his mind were mad. The scene when Jane is hiding from Rochester right before she is about to enter Ferndean reminded me of when she hides from him in the garden at Thornfield, just a strange recurrence. Then when Jane goes into the parlour, pretending to be Mary, i thought of how Mr. Rochester had tricked Jane in the past when he acted as the gypsy; this was her payback. On page 506 Bronte clearly states that Rochester is dependent on Jane to return a happy countenance to Rochester's face. Following this on page 507 Rochester actually confesses his dependence on her for he is blind and missing a hand, but i think he also realizes that emotionally he is dependent upon the presence of Jane in his life. We see another occurrence of the three day interval when Rochester announces they should be married the third from this day, and again when Mary is told of the news she is silent for three minutes. In the conclusion Jane restates how her and her husband are equals because they're both each other's sole purpose for life. I also like how Bronte does not leave us hanging in the end, and she makes a point to tell us what the future beholds for all of the characters we have seen such as Adele, Diana, Mary, Mr. Rivers, and so on. It was a nice and calm ending for such a passionate book.

Happily Ever After?

This book was never meant to be happily ever after. Rochester denied Jane when she was a governess and treated her as nothing more. She continued to love him even as he courted Miss Ingram for marriage. She watched and waited for Rochester to realize that they were truly "equals" and were on the same tier of knowledge. But once that did occur and Rochester confessed his love, asked her to marry him, and plan a wedding, chaos broke out. Rochester has another wife, Jane is hurt, and she leaves him. Jane ends up sleeping outside without money for food. As soon as St. John takes her in, they find out they are cousins, she gets a new job, and everything is perfect, another disaster happens. Jane is contacted through a letter and it re-kindles her love and longing for Rochester. Furthermore, Jane's cousin wants to marry her! Since when was incest appropriate? Now that Jane is at an all time low, she leaves again. This proves to me that Jane is not as strong as she acts. She puts on a tough face, while deep down she is hurt on the inside. Ever since her childhood she has been through a ton and not dealt with it in the most mature ways. She continually runs away from her problems instead of solving them. But then comes along the fairytale ending. Jane and Rochester in love and married again. Yes, it is not the typical happily ever after finale, but close enough. Maybe the romance aspect of this novel compelled Bronte to end it is such a sappy way.

Everything is too perfect!

What bothers me most about the latter chapters of this book is how perfect everything turned out to be.  Jane, once mortified by Rochester's actions, somehow finds herself back with him. Bronte should have made this a bit more interesting!  Moreover, what are the odds that Jane is united with her family!  This conclusion is the most speculative situation!  Don't get me wrong, happily ever after's are good stories, but everything worked out too perfectly in the end of this book.  

Jane left her love, Rochester, after learning of his concealed wife.  She flees far, far away, ending up on the doorstep of strangers, after being homeless for some time.  She finds herself with Diana, Mary, and John.  After living with the strangers for a while, John sets Jane up with a volunteer teaching job at an unwelcoming school.  At Christmas break, John informs Jane that a Miss Jane Eyre needs to be found.  At this point, Jane reveals her true identity, and is endowed with 20,000 pounds.  Jane divides the inheritance among her four family members, and then eventually makes her way back to Rochester.  What are the odds of any of this?!?!  

For Jane to return to the man that caused her so much hardship, indirectly plunging her into homelessness, is absurd!  I understand that he loved him, but why would she go back to him after living her dream of being rich and having a family of her own to love and care for her.  It seems to me that Bronte was living in a bit of a parallel universe when writing this book, because none of these things are coincidental occurrences.  Nevertheless, I am happy that Jane was able to find true bliss.

Conclusion...Jane is satisfied

So I don’t really know what to say about the end of the book. I loved the entire story. Everything melted together perfectly…the story was truly enchanting. One thing that greatly stood out to me was Jane’s personal strength and perseverance. Not only was she a strong woman, sticking out from conventionality of the times, but she knew it. She was powerful and self determined to follow in the path she wanted to go in. Not at all times did she know this path, but her life unfolded before her eyes just as she needed it to. She never looked too far into the future or too far back into the past, she lived life moment by moment. I admire Jane for this courage. Even though Jane continuosly ran away from her different lives she found, the life she chased for the longest time and the life that constantly lived in her heart was the one she concluded with. This conclusion was powerful in Jane knowing what she wanted. Not only was her love for Rochester present, but her love for herself and life was very clear. The end of the novel was full of passion and love. The change of tone was very powerful. My admiration for Jane will live on.

Tears of Joy and Sorrow

Of course I am so happy with the end of the book. (Although I hate to say book now; it feels as if we didn't read this account, but were with Jane through every part of the journey.) I cried like a baby. It was so beautiful. Emily, perhaps it was inevitable in the sense that true love reigns. Oh, how overcome with joy I was to know that Mr. Rochester was alive. My breath caught just as Jane's did as she was in the Rochesters Arms place talking to the man employed of the late Mr. Rochester. I about died. And just as Jane's blood began coursing through her veins again, mine did as well.
At their reunion, I cried. I couldn't help it. It was something I hoped for greatly, and would have been passionately fueled with anger if Bronte had not allowed their love to join in the end. I was so angry with St. John for the longest while, especially when he was reading out of the Bible with malice and smug hypocrisy. So, I skipped with joy throughout the entire three days of travel Jane embarked on and I feared the exact same things that Jane did. Had he left England forever? Was he still alive? Had he taken his own life, or had Bertha?
I was worried about Rochester, but my worrisome thoughts heightened as I learned he was blind and his hand was amputated. I must say, I almost laughed maliciously at the vivid imagery of Bertha's suicide. Yet I caught myself as I thought of her life. I must say that I have convinced myself that she was not correct in the head, and not just a strong woman notorious for sexual habits. Yet, I must dedicate a few moments of silence to her sad life of being locked up; I believe jealousy got a hold of her as Jane appeared. (Moulin Rouge has greatly altered my perception of everything.... Everyone is driven mad by jealousy in some way or another.)
At their reunion, I cried. I couldn't help it. It was something I hoped for greatly, and would have been passionately fueled with anger if Bronte had not allowed their love to join in the end. I was so angry with St. John for the longest while, especially when
The faith of Mr. Rochester in his fairy. (I absolutely love it when he refers to her as his fairy. And now she truly is his magical creature, leading him around when he had no hope. Her voice carried by magical wind to his aid, when they both needed a miracle so much.) With no sight, it was so easy for him to fall into the trap of imagination ruling out cruelest of cruel reality. I grieved for his longing to see Jane again and as he held her for the first time in the longest while, he could not see her. Yet memory is kind and cannot let go of the images of loves' truest form so quickly. Throughout the book, there was a lot of Christianity, yet this seemed to be the most gripping passage that instilled religion in every action of the characters. Mr. Rochester could barely see the blazing fire, and that was his only beacon. Yet he had to trust Jane, and have the faith to know she wasn't going to leave, or just let him wander off without aid. As she says how she never tires of helping him; reading to him, explaining the scenery, leading him around, being "literally, the apple of his eye" this shows ever greater love than what we witnessed two hundred pages before.
Lovely, short little marriage, long awaited. Happiness factory!
Mr. Lavender, you tease and deceive us tremendously! The bed that Rochester almost died in was not the honeymoon bed; Thornfield Hall was burnt long before the most important scene that we never even had a glimpse at. I was disappointed in this. All is well though. They had a baby boy, whose name was never mentioned. Adele is living a better life now, and so is everyone, I guess. Except us, who have to say good-bye to Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester, at least for the time being, and go on to other books.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it is quickly added to my list of favourites! I can't wait to re-read it and re-analyze Bronte's amazing work! Thanks for posting, reading my posts, commenting, and adding your analysis! Lovely work classmates!

Ending

So as the book comes to an end I am almost sad, we have grown to love Jane and now her story is over. I was relieved that Jane didn't agree to marry St John and run off to India, but instead listen to her gut feeling and go back to find Rochester, the one she truly loves. Throughout the entire book, Jane was constantly seeking equality within a relationship. She never wanted to be dominated over by a male, understandably so, considering she had grown up only knowing to be independent and that it would only be her to take care of herself. I think that by moving out of Thornfield and having to find her own way was the best thing Jane could have done for herself. She realized that she didn't need a marriage to make her happy, but rather only to enhance it. She finally found out what true love was, I mean she had the chance to go get married to St John and run off, and live a semi respectable life. However she knew that he was not the one she truly loved, and that now she had found an inner peace with herself she was able to let Rochester into her life. After the tragic accident Rochester was tangled up in, and became partially blind and lost his hand, Jane found an equality. Even though its not to say that someone has to be disabled to be equal to Jane, but rather that she finally saw him as another human being equal to herself, one that dealt with hardships as well, that he was not perfect.

Somehow it Always Comes Together

The best and worst aspects about a novel story tale is that things always come together. Although, I have not finished the book completely, it seems as if Jane's life is turning around. It seems so simple and pretty coincidentally that is it related to the Rivers, and even more so that she is left with 20,000 pounds. Not only is she left with a bundle of money, she also has some change of heart, and decides to share her wealth.
Jane's unpredictable character seems to have become a pattern in Bronte's writing. The vibe the St. John gives off is also a little confusing. Who is this guy really? Why does he tell Jane to suppress her feelings after she discovers her distant relative left her all this dough? Again the male authority figure is cramping down on Jane's style. Jane's character throughout the book has been a reaction to the men and the authority around her. After the disappointing departure from Rochester, Jane becomes this needy and desperate woman, an entirely different person from who the reader had so avidly supported. Now when Jane's true demeanor finally returns Bronte has this negative pull against her, oppressing Jane's ability be independent.
I hope in the last fifty pages Jane busts through and stands out as the thriving woman the readers so desperately seeks, but at the same time I am hoping for a radical twist that throws the reader off where everything doesn't come together.

Passion and "almost" forgotten love.

Bitterness between Mr. Rivers and Jane is obviously apparent, although only on Mr. Rivers account. Once again though, Jane is so passionate. She tries to make peace between her and Mr. Rivers at all costs, but not to the point in which she forsakes her beliefs. I find this aspect of Jane Eyre so powerful and upright. I respect this in Jane’s character the utmost. She is gentle when needed, but at the same time so strong. I stand in awe of her courage and strength, being able to say no to someone who has shown her so much kindness. I also awe at Jane’s will and strength, due to the fact that if she were to marry him, so many people she could help within the mission field. Although, two wrongs, don’t make a right, and I’m more than glad that Jane does not forget this. There is also another factor that intrigues me, the reoccurrence of the moon. The moon being a representation of romance is confusing. It is obvious that no love between Mr. Rivers and Jane is present, so then who does this romance turn to? This question leaves me to believe that Jane’s forgotten lover is near.

Marriage?

Sadly, once again Jane has to choose between her emotions and what is right. It pains me to see such an emotional state that Jane is in!!!! Marriage with Mr. Rivers is obviously out of the question for Jane. If they were to be betrothed, Mr. Rivers feels it would be for the greater good, for the work of a missionary and God. However, he seems to disregard the fact that there is no real love between the two. I ask myself why doesn't Mr. Rivers see this? It angers me that Jane has to go through this. At the same time howerer, it angers me that Jane is letting herself be so suseptiable to a man!! Love is the foundation of a true and happy marriage, let alone the work of God. Therefore, Jane can’t and will not except this proposition. I think Jane’s reason for this decision is that of not only her personal morals, but that of the Bible as well. The Bible states that if you have not love you are practically nothing, and have no substance.

Josh's Analysis Through the end of the novel

Sorry about my outdated previous post.  I probably forgot to post it yesterday, so here is my post for today:

I concur completely with Walker's post stating that Jane is a bitch.  Truly, it does seem a bit incongruous with anything I'd expect from Jane, that she left Rochester to his lonesome self, in which time he became incredibly despondent, and then she returned to him when she felt it convenient.  On the other hand, he did break her heart originally by almost committing bigamy and by being deceitful.  At least they have now sinned each other.  Although I was prosecuting Rochester during our debate, I have come to sympathize with him.  First, he tries to save everybody, including the Jamaican wife, as Thornfield was burning.  Then he has to endure a whole year or so in a despondent and pathetic state of being.  I now believe that he genuinely loves Jane.  I do however, don't approve of the ending.  It seems incongruous with everything Jane has been working towards.  The bulk of the novel was Jane's transition from a poor burdensome orphan to eminent status.  Sure she is endowed with a massive fortune, but I assumed that she would elevate her status even more.  She was slowly but surely ascending to what?  A simple life in the woods with a semi-blind man?  Whatever, as long as she is happy.  

Josh's analysis Through Chapter 34

Here is an old post I found in Microsoft word.  I must have forgotten to post it yesterday.  This might be a bit outdated, but whatever:

To begin with, does anybody else find it eerie that St. John Rivers proposes to his own cousin?  Does he have a fetish for his own kin?  He does propose to Jane after learning that she is his cousin.  In all seriousness though, his reason for proposing is indeed very selfish.  Truly, what leads him to believe that Jane would be a better missionary wife than Ms. Oliver?  Sure, Jane may be more intelligent, and less frivolous, but as the novel has proven, Jane is very frail and susceptible to illness.  She wouldn't last long in rural India.  Plus, she is hideous compared to Oliver.  And as aforementioned, Jane and St. John are kin!  In addition, I find it very appalling that after Jane rebuffs St. John's selfish proposal, he gives her the cold shoulder.  Sure, he may be disappointed, but such behavior is shallow, especially for a priest.  All of this considered, I prognosticate that Jane will return to Rochester.

Love and reality!

I am seemingly starting to see a change in Jane’s attitude. The usual rebellion and passion she has appears to dwindle when living with Mr. Rivers. It almost is like he has some sort of magical power of her. Jane reasons with his thoughts, and seemingly will do anything he asks of her. This does not seem like Jane’s character at all. I almost believe she is doing this out of yearning to know the unknown. My meaning in this is that Jane does not quite fully understand Mr. Rivers or his inner being. It almost seems as if Jane has an infatuation with him. That seems perverse now that he is a relative, but in the way she conducts herself with him, it seems my thought could be argued correct. However, at the same time, she still wants to know what has become of Mr. Rochester! Her letters she has written with no reply only deepen her curiosity and heartache. The relationship between Mr. Rochester and Jane once again seems like a never ending circle of confusion. Even though their goodbyes were agreed in words, I do not think that there hearts were in it. Especially Jane’s heart, I felt was very hurt from such a simple goodbye. Her heart still loves Mr. Rochester, but at the same time, it is stuck in between a cruel reality and a passionate make believe world. For Jane to even conceive of the thought of Mr. Rochester, kindles her love for him. Though, at the same time she can’t do anything about it and is still stuck in reality. Thus Jane then resorts to and lets her more gentle emotions get the best of her. Such an emotional state of Jane seems so unlike her strong character, letting a man destroy her in such a way.

RICH????

JANE IS RICH????????? Wow, hold up, how does this work? Jane lives the majority of her life in poverty and all the sudden she is rich? Not to mention, that even though her uncle is dead, her so called family that has taken her in as there own, really is her biological family!!!!! I can’t even begin to fathom was exactly is going through Jane’s head. One day she is a poverty stricken women fighting for enough money to find a meal, and the next day she is a wealthy women never having to work again in her life! As a result of her living conditions throughout her lifetime, I can’t help but to wonder what exactly Jane Eyre is going to do with all this wealth, certainly nothing selfish! Jane is an intelligent and wit full women, she is not effected by the blindness of greed or unneeded luxuries.

Jane has a FAMILY!!!!

I feel Jane’s happiness is rekindled by finding her new loving “family”. By living with Mr. St. John Rivers, a parson and kind man, I feel as if Jane has found part of herself again. The stability and family morals these people bring into Jane’s life I feel like is what Jane needs. It is as if Jane was caught in an endless circle of heartache and confusing when living with Mr. Rochester. However, now she has had time to clear her head and make sensible decisions regarding her life, and the lives of others as well. For instance, even now she can see through John Rivers, and his seemingly confused love life. It seems everywhere Jane goes there is a purpose and inner calling that benefits herself, and others.

Leaving Rochester!!!!!

These blogs are from quite awhile ago but for some odd reason they didn't post when I tried to. None the less I thought that I would still post them. I must say I was so glad Jane Eyre had finally left Rochester. Her love for him seemed to blind her of her real passion of life and pursuit of the right path. I believe Jane Eyre to be fighting within herself of doing what she felt nature (God) was leading her to, and fulfilling her sexual and fleshy pleasures. Even thought it pained both her and Rochester by the rift within there hearts by saying goodbye, I believe that in the end Jane will be much happier. Jane’s call of being wild, passionate, and free I feel will be stronger than any of Jane’s emotions. She has been left in poverty for the majority of her life and follows logic. Her logic leads to imagination, which then leads to a fiery passion within herself of longings of change, the unknown, and the pursuit of justness.

Romeo and Juliet?

Well this blog is a little behind my reading. Unfortunately it was on my computer for a while, but I never got around to posting it. Anyways, I was thinking late at night, which usually doesn't leave too many good ideas in my mind, but I was sensing some connection between this story and Romeo and Juliet. After all, don't writers draw on other good writers' works to support their own? It's more the back idea, than the front happenings, obviously it's not because they're from two different houses, and that their families are ripping each other to pieces and they've got some crazy ploy to fool them all. But it's more the idea of two people who fall in love with eachother, and are barred by some obstacle. Obviously this is a common theme for books, but I still found it more closely related, that two people who, should never in the first place love each other, finally fall in love, admit it to themselves, and everything is about to work out perfectly, when boom! Disaster strikes. Now family feuds and an already married man are different things, but they are both more human in nature, it's not like an ocean seperates them, but it's the laws and ideals of men, that say you cannot do this because 1) our families do not get along. 2) Because the law says it is wrong. Well reading back over it, it wasn't the best point to put in, but I'll go ahead and post it anyways.

India?

Okay, I know I have been reading really really slow right now, and according to my mom, I should just be done with the book. Well, I'm getting there! Before I comment on anything else, I wanted to re-comment on Alexis comment that is in total disagreement of my stance that Jane and Rochester should still be together. (I know it's been a while since we've seen them together, -if you're on page 472 like I am....- and so, this is just out of the blue.) But anyways, Alexis, I thought a lot about what you said, asking how can I stand up for Jane abandoning her principles and whatnot, especially considering I am a woman. Honestly, what the frudge does this have to do with sexism? or feminism? I just don't see the connection. Deem me completely blind, but...maybe I am. Anyways, I have come to the conclusions that the 'principles' in this book absolutely suck. They do. I say this not because they have torn Jane from Rochester specifically, but because they are so twisted. In my opinion, if your principles are not set in love, what should they be set in? I am one of those people that is pretty convinced that love makes the world spin. Literally. I don't really care that this is stupid to most other people, because it is what I stand by. If you're a Christian, why did Christ die for you? Because the Father sent him down and forced him to? Not at all. He did it out of pure love. I don't know a lot about other religions, but I know that Buddha and Ghandi were strong advocates of peace among fellow men. Well, to have peace, don't you need love? So, if you're basic principles, standards, ways of living, whatever, are not built upon a foundation of love, what do you have to live for?
Anyways, I think St. John is a little twisted in his idea that he HAS to marry Jane. There is no passion there whatsoever. The fact that he was all condemning and saying things about Rosamond that she wouldn't make a good wife and she is only a little crush basically had me throwing the book across the room. And now, he just wants to marry her for the purpose that they would make good missionaries together. yeah. what about passion? THANK YOU JANE FOR SEEING REASON! This entire 'missionary persona' that John takes on is sooo hypocritical. Look at what he says to Jane: "...it is not me you deny, but God. Tremble lest in that case you should be numbered with those who have denied the faith, and are worse than infidels!" Yeah, 'cause she is totally denying God by not marrying you.....THAT MAKES SENSE! not
Whatever. I was so proud of Jane when she sarcastically says: " 'I scorn your idea of love.' I could not help saying," I skipped for joy at the passion that is vigorously roaring through her entire frame again! For so long, with the exception of when she says "And I am a hard woman - impossible to put off." While she is demanding that John tell her the news of their relation. and a few pages before when John says (in regard of Rochester) "He must have been a bad man." and Jane harshly replies: "You don't know him - don't pronounce an opinion upon him." Pg. 440. Sorry that was a great tangent. But as I was saying, she hasn't really been emblazoned with the passion that she normally is until now, and John says "I scarcely expected to hear that expression from you," And I just instantly thought, Well, of course, because Jane has been hiding her TRUEST passion for so long, you naturally wouldn't expect her to be the type to have such a rebuke. (I am drawing this from all of the observations that John himself made of the Jane Eyre he knew, but we know far more of her passionate side.) One more quote that I absolutely love as Jane is meditating her choice between India and marriage or nada of both, she says to herself: "But as his wife - at his side always, and always restrained, and always checked - forced to keep the fire of my nature continually low, to compel it to burn inwardly and never utter a cry, though the imprisoned flame consumed vital after vital - THIS would be unendurable." I love her strength to repress her sorrow for leaving Rochester and still admitting it to us as the reader and then showing us how even though she is tormented at night with horrid and vivid memories of the love she has lost, yet she still makes it through. In this passage, she tells us exactly how it could not be endured and how she cannot torture herself any further and so she is set in her resolution to not marry John. I think John is sort of a creeper, 'cause he just keeps watching Jane and is OBSESSED with the idea of her going to India with him as his wife, and it's just weird. Whereas before I fell into the hopelessly romantic trap of oohing and awing at Rochester's obsession of watching Jane and notice every freakin' detail about her. :) And I find it super mean of John to just suddenly force Jane to learn this weird language, and I sorta hate myself for not seeing the correlation between that act and the inevitable future. well, i gotta go finish it! SuPeR sToKeD!

Jane Should Rot in Hell

This contains a spoiler to let all know..... I can't stand Jane. She finally decides to go back to Rochester, and he is actually kind enough to except her into his heart. If I was him, I would have left her to die a lonely death. I mean what the hell??? She comes back after he has suffered serious hardships while she has had a lovely life. One may argue that she was put on the street for a few days. Pish posh!! What a wimp, if you can't survive for a couple days out in the streets, especially in a town, you don't deserve to live. This so called "punishment" is nothing compared to what Rochester has had to endure. After breaking Rochester's heart and putting him through constant suffering and misery, she feels that it's alright not only to come back and see Rochester, but to stay with him for the rest of her life. She does not deserve this in my opinion.
What a weird and abrupt ending. I'm really annoyed with Bronte's abrupt style of writing. It seems like she just wanted to be done with the book. And she introduced Mary and John.... maybe I just have a bad memory, but where the hell did they come from. And to end with one of their lines.... very odd. It doesn't make sense. I will however give Bronte credited for not writing a stereotypical everyday love story. This story, although a love story, had a few twists and turns involving mad wives, desolation, etc. Nonetheless, it was pretty obvious what was going to come; Jane and Rochester living happily ever after. Personally, I feel Bronte's style of writing is very clunky and predictable. Not a bad book however.

St. John's a Wart

I don't trust St. John. He is an extremely odd and somewhat obnoxious character. As we see more and more of him, he just gets wierder and wierder. I mean, out of the blue he asks Jane to marry him???? It doesn't even make sense. He seems to have no emotions and tells her that he wouldn't marry her because he loved her but because he loved god. Who wants to marry someone like that? Not only does he act like a stone wall, but he is quite demeaning towards women. Lav-dawg pointed out to me one scene where Jane is sitting while St. John is standing. Think back to Rochester when they were both standing. Bronte clearly wants the reader to look at St. John as an oppressive, male character. He's very creepy and I just don't like him at all.
I feel like religion and God have all the sudden become much more prominent in the book. Ever since Jane left Thornfield. Perhaps Bronte is trying to make some statement about this. If she is, she's lost me because I don't feel like anything relating to religion is tying together in any way. It's like a lot of her characters; they just come and go, but you never learn the whole story. To be honest, I don't like this. She needs to tie things off at some point, preferably before the very end of the novel. Also, to think that Rochester has disappeared for the rest of the book is inconceivable. Bronte couldn't just cut him off that abruptly. Who knows though; I guess we'll find out...

AH!

Poor Jane. After finding this new family, this new life she has dreamed of for so long, she feels lost. Mr. Rivers, this man she wants so much to be close to, will not allow her to do so. His heart seems cruel in not letting her sisterly love show through. I can’t decide if he is truly upset with her or not, or what he is really feeling, but all Jane wanted was someone to lean on. Now the offer of marriage! How weird…Jane was right to stand up for what she believed in. Mr. Rivers infuriates me. The entire time reading I simply wanted to just skip ahead to see if he got any better…it only got worse!

Yet Another Doomed Proposal

Has anyone else noticed just how many matters of matrimony are ultimately doomed for failure? Mr. Rochester and Jane, Mr. Rivers and Miss. Oliver, and now Mr. Rivers and Jane, wow. I think this emphasise on the various obstacles to marriage in the novel enhance Jane's passionate yet independent character. I think Bronte wants us to see that Jane has the option of marriage, but she will never commit if she has to compromise her personal beliefs or character. Such as with Mr. Rochester she would have been tied to a man she loved, yet she would be in a constant state of inferiority (in her eyes). Then when Mr. Rivers proposes the idea of marriage to Jane, she feels she would never be herself with him. On page 470 Jane expresses that her passionate soul would be dimmed, "...forced to keep the fire of my nature continually low." Then five pages later she tells him he would kill her (not physically, emotionally) if they were to be married. I also find it odd that throughout Jane's life she has always resisted, but now under Mr. Rivers spell she becomes evidently submissive. Then Jane realizes she has more purpose in her life than to be a subject of Mr. River's demands/teachings, and God would not want her to throw away the life he has given her. One difference between Jane's refusal of Mr. Rivers proposal and of Mr. Rochesters, is the fact that Rochester uses passionate force to try to convince Jane to stay, while Mr. Rivers simply approaches Jane in a kind, holy manner. Jane find Mr. Rivers' technique much more effective, but the fact that she does not love him overpowers his kind nature and pure soul. I am wondering why Jane "hears" Mr. Rochester when we have no idea where he is.... is Bronte using supernatural means to bring Mr. Rochester and Jane back together?

Things are finally looking up for Jane, she now has gained a magnitude of money from her dad! It is about time that things go right for Jane. On the other hand, St John reminds me a great deal of Rochester; and the proposal? Marrage between cousins, that is a bit strange. It seems as though St John is using God as a form of blackmailing Jane into the marrage. He continues to say that their marrage was God intended, however, in reality it is his desire for her that he wishes to marry her. In addition, St John proposes to take her to India with him, as Rochester had for England. St Johns character is very similar to that of Rochester, quite yet watchful in his silent demener. He is a watchful eye over Moore House, as is Rochester of Thornfeild. I think that Charlotte Bronte's introduction of St John is her way of reminding the reader of Rochester, though St Johns character she is leading us back to question what had become of Rochesters fate. I want Jane to go back to Thornfeild in search of Rochester, hopefully Charlotte Bronte doesnt leave us questioning, and leads us back to Janes true love.

Algunas preguntas de Emma G.

Alright,  I have a few questions and if there is anybody able to supply me with answers I would be MUCH obliged.  Firstly (and forgive me, this is an old thought- I haven't posted in a while), what do the "infant dreams" signify?  APPARENTLY whenever somebody has a dream about children, they are doomed... I'm wondering if this is a reference to women, (because women bare children and whatnot) and the responsibilities of motherhood?  Or is Bronte trying to send us a subliminal message about dependence/independence (since children are generally completely dependent on others)? I dunno, I dunno... I certainly would LIKE to however... any thoughts?

SECONDLY.  I do not understand why Bronte always refers to that town as S-- .  What's the point of concealing the name of the town?  All it does is trip me up when I'm reading-- is there a point? Again, I dunno.  I just dunno... I certainly would LIKE to however... any thoughts? 

Lav. I am sorry about my overuse of ellipses here  ☹ --- and I'm sorry about that emoticon

hehehe

I knew something miraculous was going to happen, she followed the light to the house and sure enough there were people in it. I was kind of taken back by the fact that Hannah wouldnt let her in the house i mean i can sort of see why she wouldnt because Jane was like a beggar and all but at the same time she should have at least given her the chance to explain herself. It was very nice of John to bring her in and give her a chance to tell her story. I really like how she connects with the two sisters, it adds sort of another story into the whole bigger picture. I suspected from early on that there was something going on with John and Jane and just the whole situation in general. I just had this weird feeling that they were going to get together or something and sure enough he asked her to marry her, which might I add is after we find out that they are cousins. WEIRD!! Who would have thought that they were cousins all along and its also so crazy how they figure it out with the little piece of paper.

 I like Janes character, she is very outspoken and stands up for what she believes in so when she is overcome by John its really a bummer because she simply stops believing in what she thinks is right and she stops sticking up for herself. He kind of freaks me out, honestly why would you want to get married to your cousin. I have to say that in the beginning I liked him though, I thought him a very sensible man but i have def changed my mind. "I was with and equal" Jane says this about John which is NOT good because thats what she said about Rochester. I wish she would just snap out of this trans she is in and realize what she is doing. oh yea and where are the sisters through all this? do they know that their brother has just proposed to their cousin?

ESSAY!!!

So I don't know about the rest of you but after Mr.Lavender assigned the most recent essay I had mixed emotions. I'm more then excited because Mr.Lavender makes it sound so easy... a little too easy. So I decided I would start brainstorming... Oh my word! Practically impossible... I couldn't remember all the scenes let alone all the details of Jane Eyre. So I found myself at quite a loss until I continued reading... As I read I set myself to find Rochester's presence after Jane has left. It was crazy. I thought it may have been an outlandish task but it is really working for me. For instance (I don't know how I could remember this) But you know when Jane is wandering around hungry cold and alone and then she follows the Candles to the house of the knitting women... Well the two candles (page 382) struck me and it seemed vaguely familiar. I flipped back and on page 141 Rochester has sent for Jane to have tea with him and on the mantle were two candles. And on the table to match were another couplet of candles! A reminder to Jane of Rochester's unrelenting love for her! Holy Cow! This whole relating scene's thing is easier then I thought. Good Luck pupils.

saved

Alright, I'm a little behind some of these other posts, but its all good.
One thing that really bothered me is in the chapters before she gets picked up by the Rivers, all she does is complain about her situation which is a 100% her fault. It wouldn't bother me so much if she was kicked out or something, but after leaving voluntarily, and acctually denying someone else of happiness and then complaining about it...I'm cold, I'm hungry, I'm so lonely, etc. I believe she should have stayed with Rochester. First of all, the book would have ended 200 pages earlier. Second, she broke the immortal law of true love. And finally she had nothing to lose, she might have lost her character, but she loses it anyways after being outside for only two days by herself. She becomes a beggar and beseeches herself upon whomever she thinks will listen. For the first time in her life she is truly independent, and after mearly two days she almost dies. I thought Jane was supposed to be a strong, headstrong woman, but really, reflecting on past passages, there has always been someone there holding her hand. Also, after she almost dies, but is luckily saved by the Rivers, she recovers, and then, her first time downstairs she calls out Hannah, Who took care of and nursed her back to health. Jane had no right to accuse Hannah of anything, I think that Jane thinks herself better that hannah because hannah is a servant. And it is only because Jane knows this that she picks up enough courage to knock on the door.

The Rivers Family is very interesting, the twins are better looking versions of Jane, and St. John is almost like the male version of Jane. I think Bronte uses the twins to show how Jane is her own person, they go off to be governesses, which jane just was, and aren't mentioned again. Bronte makes the twins and Jane so similar to show how different the choices Jane makes are, how "individual" she is. Also, I don't think jane will last very long at her post of schoolteacher, she said yes mostly to repay St. John for his hospitality. But it is not what she wants, being a schoolteacher is too normal, too conforming for Jane. I can't understand why Jane doesn't just accept some things and be content with her life. Maybe this book wouldn't be as interesting, maybe some women are just unhappy to the finish. I predict that this book will end with Jane's death, there will be no happily ever after, and Jane will make sure of that.

Continuation to previous

Oh also St John being a Minister is tied down by his religious faith so it is unethical for him to marry. Plus he has a attachment to Rossomand. Both can be presieved as wrong. Bronte could also be putting down Catholicism because St John wants to marry and longs for a companion but he isn't supposed to because of his religious faith. Bronte could be saying this isn't faith to him and that Catholicism isn't the way to go.

I found a connections to religion in the book. For instance the Adam, Eve and the first sin between Jane and Rochester. Plus the ties between the garden and that to the Garden of Eden. It really comes out during Jane's time with St John. Since he is a minister he connects religion with his feelings and wile he wanted Jane to marry him he intertwined religion with their potential marriage. Unfairly he questioned her faith and made it seem that marrying him would be a duty to god so she must do it. Similar to how Bronte degraded blacks through Rochester's mad wife in attempt to display white as the preferable race. She might again be doing the same thing but through religion. I can see were she might be saying catholicism is the better religion because she alludes to faith, and duty to god many times though St John. Plus St John is a fairly respectable man who is a master and minister. He helped save Jane wile she was out side in the rain on the verge of death. Were the others didn't help her Bronte could be saying that was the Catholic way to help. On the other hand i truly feel that she is saying Catholicism is the weaker faith. Being from England she could naturally be prodistant. I believe Jane was going to go to Ireland to work when Rochester once said she could no longer stay. Seeing that Jane wanted to remain at Thornfield in England this portrays a better place. There of Bronte could be saying England is more desirable, and Prodistant is a better religion. Given that Ireland is more Catholic and England more Prodistant. Then St John who doesn't really love Jane and wants her to be a wife laborer isn't really the best catch. He gives her unfair pressure and questions her faith which is unnecessary. His presser is even to marry him through god instead of love. This isn't really right. His forcefulness toward the issue isnt right either. There for Bronte could be trying to send a message of what religion is truly best.

all happiness lost...

ok so a lot has happened in the last couple of chapters. To start off i dont blame Rochester for not telling Jane, I mean im not saying the whole thing was entirely right but i do believe that he should be able to live a happy and normal life. He shouldn't have to be tied down to his insane wife when there is nothing more he can do for her. I think its sad when Jane leaves because she really loved him, but she is trying to do the right thing. "My visions are all very well, but I must not forget they are both absolutely unreal." This just goes to show that Jane is in the right state of mind and is trying to be realistic about the whole situation. I waver back and forth in terms of if she should stay with Rochester and live a happy life where she can love and be loved or if she should move on and do the morally right thing. It takes a lot of courage on Janes part to leave Rochester and Adele and Mrs. Fairfax, that was in essence the only happiness she ever knew and for her to just walk away from that in hopes of a better life somewhere else was very risky. Even after Jane leaves it talks about how she is torn up in side, "It was a barbed arrow-head in my breast; it tore me when i tried to extract it." I feel bad for her but at the same time it was her decision. 

The events in the book definitely take a turn for the worst once Jane leaves Thornfield. Jane has no acquaintances no food and no where to sleep. this is a total bummer for Jane. Although, I feel pretty confident when i say that she will make it out of this hard time and good things are soon to come. 

Wile reading i was able to make some clear distinctions between Rochester and St John. The two masters quickly find a liking toward Jane and hope to marry her. Each with their separate plans for what they will do once Jane is their companion. Neither wants to stay in the current occupation but move on to another were they can be together. When Jane turns both away they become forcefully in their proposals almost to force their needs and make it happen. They dont make it easy on Jane and put her in an unfair situation. Jane However is strong and is able to communicate her feelings despite the gentleman's needs. Similar Rochester and St John take Jane on a walk alone to express their feelings then many times after bring it up occasionally. I feel that depending on Jane's feelings this could have been an awkward talk but i like the way Jane handled it. She didn't fall under temptation, bribery or force instead stuck to her feelings and did what she felt was right. I see differences between Rochester and St John that make me prefer Rochester. Mr. Rochester would like to take Jane away were they can live a happy life away from stress and discomfort. Were all their needs and wants can be provided. Were as St John wants a life in India were Jane is less of his wife and more of his laborer. In Rochester's eyes someone as deer as Jane should never have to be put under these conditions. I think St John is a good and holly man but i don't think the two would ever be right for one another and that Jane might deserve better.

Jane Has a Family

Well after Jane left Mr. Rochester, the book became quite boring for me. No more Grace Pole mystery, no more Mr. Rochester, and then BAM. Jane gets a large inheritance and has finally found some family. Although I can't help but think she is still somewhat un-happy. Seeing St. John and Rosamond in love, she can relate to their struggle. Like her and Rochester, they cannot be wed because St. John's holy duty to be a missionary. Jane wakes up in the middle of the night due to nightmares of Rochester. He can't leave her mind. Jane is too restless to stay at Morton for long. Once a substitute is found, I feel she will leave again. To where? Who knows. Jane is a very unpredictable character. Her heart will tell her to go one place, her brain another. I hope another mystery starts to unfold. I'm rather bored with book as it stands now. I guess Romance novels just really aren't my type of book. I hope the ending isn't something lame like she dies alone. I hope she goes back to Thornfield, marries Rochester, adopts Adele, and takes care of crazy old Bertha while living wit her new cousins. 

Something to Fall Back On

In ways it seems shocking to find that Jane has found family, but also totally natural. It was not possible, for this woman so forthright and strong to have to proceed on with the rest of her life without someone by her side. These people (Rochester, Helen, Adele) who have come into her life and set as temporary comforts seem to only have filled in for these new found family members. Jane’s excitement in finding that she is not alone in the world makes me as a reader feel excited for Jane. She was set up to be such a plain character and that is all we have seen. But, with this excitement something different is about her. Jane’s prospects are set high and with the new found love of family she feels as though she can do anything. She is definite in her decisions (as she has always been) about living in Moor House and sharing her wealth with her cousins. But, this time she has someone to share her decisions with. The excitement radiated from the scene in the small cabin is overwhelming to the plot of the story. Everything else seems to have led her to this point to be strong and independent, and suddenly she has something to fall back on.

What A Small World

Jane's new set of daily tasks as the teacher of Morton school seems to resemble her cousin Eliza's scheduled daily routine. She has turned to routine to overwhelm her feeling of emptiness from lack of passion. Jane's dreams of Rochester only further support the idea that she still has not let go of him. I truly think that Jane and Rochester are destined to be together, and hopefully by the end of the book they will be. St. John and Miss Oliver's relationship in a way is similar to Jane and Rochester's relationship. St. John, even though he has a strong attraction to Miss Oliver, will not allow himself to marry her for he fears he will not be happy for forever. Similarly Jane who loves Rochester with all her heart would not succumb to being inferior to him for the rest of eternity. Both of their stubbornness in relinquishing their personal beliefs serve as the obstacles for their matrimony. This is ironic seeing as St. John and Jane are not only related through this connection of character but also through blood. How does it happen that Jane randomly is salvaged by this family that is actually of blood relation to her? And Jane with her new fortune is able to fulfill her dream of independence and solitude. She states she is never to be married again, and i believe this is because she fears she will never find a man to love and love her as Mr. Rochester has. On page 441 Jane explains that she is not particularly thrilled with this huge inheritance but the though of independence pleases her greatly. "...and independence would be glorious - yes, i felt that - that thought swelled my heart." I think this reinforces the feminist attitude throughout the novel. I am very happy that Jane finally has strong and amiable family relations. I think Jane will somehow find her way back to Rochester, and with this new feeling of independence and new acquaintance of family she will be able to recognize herself once again as an equal to Mr. Rochester!

Josh's Analysis Through Chapter 33

I was indeed right with my assumption that Jane was cousins with the very same people whose doorstep she landed on.  How coincidental!!  Anyways, although Rochester was a deceitful bigamist, I think that one of the main reasons that Jane was reluctant to return to Rochester, even after his confession of his "capital error" was still the difference in class.  Despite the fact that Jane still loved Rochester, I think that she would inevitably feel inferior, and ultimately subservient, due to the difference in class.  Now, however, if she does decide to return to Rochester, her assets will be akin to his, resulting in a more equitable relationship.  I wish that St. John would have given Jane a synopsis of how Rochester was living.  He simply dismisses the matter as unimportant.  I assume that he is already courting another lady.  The simple way that Jane eagerly asked St. John about Rochester, along with her sensual dreams, are indicative of the fact that Jane is still deeply in love with Rochester.  I find it very magnanimous that Jane equally distributes the money amongst the cousins.

Josh's Analysis

Lightning Strikes MY Fancy

So... although this took place quite a few chapters back, let me just say that I LOVE the whole lightning splitting the chestnut tree in half symbolism! Although so blatantly obvious foreshadowing Rochester and Jane's split and placed at the very end of 23, I just really like the image of a tree essentially cracking in half by some force of nature. In some ways, I think this event could also symbolize the breaking of a heart - most likely Rochester's after Jane leaves Thornfield. I can vividly picture two people somewhat grown into a chestnut tree, being torn apart by a beam of lightening, Rochester's well kept secret. 

Another side note - why did Rochester keep that from Jane so long? I mean I see that he was trying to conceal his not-so-glorious past and wanted a new start, free of a psychotic arranged wife but to say that Rochester is completely unguilty is absolutely not true. I didn't have much of an opinion when I read the chapter but now, I think I'm in total support of accusing Rochester of bigotry. Maybe being on the prosecution side of our class debate and arguing against the defense for more than an hour caused me to think this way but whatever it is, I can't seem to think of Rochester in the same light - he's now stained with deception in my mind.

cool book

Jane seems to be quite the women with little to no moral values. She supports bigamy and lies. She just recently told everyone what her real name is and she gets mad at Hannah for judging her. A bit hypocritical if you ask me, she isn't the model citizen one might have originally thought. The book has been rather boring up until this point. Now that she is getting a job, running away. This girl is quite the rebel. She is more fun to read about now that she is breaking the rules and going "against the grain". I am happy with the way that Jane is starting to live her life, up until now she has been pushed around and now she is stomping her foot down and doing things for herself. Life is turning out better and better each day for dear Jane.

excitement! FINALLY!

ITS ABOUT FREAKIN' TIME! The last few chapters have been snoreville...nothing exciting, nothing breathtaking...nothing! Jane had went from a strong, feminist character that I myself could really enjoy, to a weaklying; the ususal woman portrayed in yet another Cinderella. "Come save me, Prince Charming! Hurry!" blah blah blah blah! I was so ready to just chuck it into a fire and take pride in watching it burn. I mean, okay, so meeting St. John Rivers and his sisters was kind of a relief...most normal human beings do not like to watch their fellow creature suffer, no matter what they deserve. And then Jane gets her dream job! I mean, she's always wanted to be a teacher, right? So that was cool...
But then! Then we find out that these kindly souls are actually.....HER COUSINS! What the hell is this?????? JANE HAS FAMILY??????? SINCE WHEN??????? Part of me is really mad actually, because it wasn't this subtle enlightenment, like finding out Rochester had a wife. It was just "O yeah, by the way, I'm your cousin". It's like Bronte got bored or something, and just couldn't write anymore.
I hope, after this, it picks up a bit. It could've ended, right then. There better be something more...something a little bit more exciting....

Josh's Analysis Through Chap 31

I realize that it has been a while since I last imparted my thoughts on you all, and that much has transpired, but I will try to keep my post as recent as possible. To begin, it might just be me, but I think that Jane is related to the Rivers' dead uncle John, and that she is the closer relative that received that will soon be endowed with John's fortune. Before you dismiss this possiblity, because you would naturally assume that John's last name is Rivers, I suppose that it the Rivers' mom could be John's sister, hence the difference in last names. In addition, I do commend Jane for committing to this teaching gig, thus fulfilling her promise to St. John. I do, however, not sympathize with her given the currently mundane and degrading work that she is currently doing. Finally, it seems to me as if Jane is a much worse christian than she has been in the past. I'm in a hurry, so I'm sorry that this post is so terse and brief.

The last few chapters didn't appeal to me a much as previous ones, but I thought the very end of chapter 31 was interesting. I think Bronte used the brief conversation between Mr. Rivers and Rosamond Oliver as a sort of mirror for Jane about her own relationship with Rochester. Mr. Rivers is described a lot like Rochester and talks like him with his fancy sermon like talks. But I think in this example he plays the role of Jane, scared of love. He coldly rejects Rosamond though it's clear it kills him to do it. The "fire" in his eyes is also like her, as is his lower social position. As he walks firmly away, he doesn't look back, but Rosamond does twice, fitting with their roles.
I have a very strong hunch that the Rivers' uncle is also Jane's uncle, and she was the one who received his fortune. It is left to "one other person, not more closely related than we" (Jane is also his niece), the uncle is childless and had already offered to leave his fortune to her.

A New Beginning

Even though Jane has ran away from Thornfield and her groom, I am glad she has started a new life. A fresh beginning might help her realize the life she left behind was the right life for her. I like that she is a teacher now for an all girls school where she can use her education to her advantage to help out girls who may otherwise have never been educated. She will change the lives of many poor farm girls and give them a chance for a brighter future. Furthermore, it was extremely kind of hey host family to give her that much time to recooperate and recover to her full health. I expected them to want her to help out around the house and be an extra hand in return for saving her. I would like to see that family all come back together and live in the same house as they did up at Marshes End. They all loved it and hated to see their time there run out. I wonder if Jane's friend that set her up as the mistress will be right about her only staying a year. Maybe she will get sick of the solitude and want to be back in a busy house (Thornfield). I can not believe that Jane would not tell her host family the truth. She did not want to reveal her name nor her story. If I was in the family that took her in, at first I would not be sure if I could trust her. I guess her clothing and education helped. I would like to see Jane go back and tell them the truth and therefore they will be able to trust each other more than before.

Changes (and similarities?)

I can’t help but compare Rochester and Mr. Rivers. I can’t decide if they are similar or different, but the way Bronte describes Mr. Rivers seems almost to be in the same words she would use to describe Rochester. Jane notes that Mr. Rivers is “incommunicative…and did not appear to enjoy (that) mental serenity” (404). This description of a man we barely know seems fitting to Rochester as well, atleast when Jane first met him. He didn’t like serenity of Thornfield and he was not very communicative or open. A few pages later Mr. Rivers opens up to Jane, just as Rochester had and tells her his life story. Jane seems to be a confident for both of the men. Does the comfort these men find come from her plain features? Or her keen sense of knowledge? Either way Jane is always put in the position to be trusted. The nature of the two men has to be somewhat similar for this occur.
Like Rochester she caught Mr. Rivers in a time of insecurity. He was home, after the death of his father, tending to his younger sisters; not something he normally did. Jane looked deep into both of the men and seemed to uncover them quickly.

Jane’s new place as a teacher seems absolutely nothing but suiting. Her free spirit will find the children and they will prosper in an education that is new to girls of the time. I am excited for Jane in the finding of something independent. Here, in this new home she can make a life for herself. The change of tone to a present tense suggests Jane might be here for a while, possibly until the end of the novel. This feels from a reader’s perspective to be a place of comfort and abundance. This strange light that led her to the Moore house has led her to this new life.

Complete Change Over the Weekend

After Jane has run away from Thornfield, the book has taken a change for the worse. Its almost as if Bronte is meaning to confuse the reader. Here we are one moment where Rochester is toying with the passionate and independent Jane, then he asks her to marry him. She refuses, after finding Rochester's bizarre arrangement with his lunatic wife. What throws me off is that Jane scurries off in the night, which in fact is no way that Jane would go about leaving some situation she didn't want to be around. Jane's the character who stands up for herself and others. She gets sent to the "Red Room" for hitting her cousin because she was standing up for herself. She gets mad at Helen who just apologizes for not washing her hands, when in all reality she couldn't because the water had froze. And now she just sneaks off into the night, to be found begging for food the next day. But then she is found good company. I just don't understand the changes that undergo with in Jane's own mind, or to be more broad Bronte's mind. Hopefully the novel will get back into the groove that it was, when it was getting easier and easier to read.

A Change of Character

The change of character that we have encountered with Jane has almost become intolerable. For the first three hundred pages of the book ,the reader is teased with the idea of Jane finding true love. Bronte plays with the idea of a “flame of fire” that burns within Jane, as well as a constant revelation for the “thrusting masts” that Jane pursues in her paintings and her reality. In a few short chapters it seems as if the flame has died out and that Jane has thrown away her desire for a manly figure in her life. Once the initial shock of Jane’s rejection towards Rochester wore off, I began to feel frustrated with our once thriving protagonist. Suddenly Jane is no longer an inspirational, independent woman. In a blink of an eye she becomes a beggar of sorts, sleeping on the roadside, struggling for survival too embarrassed to even ask for help. In a sense this “struggle for survival” could be confused with a need for Jane to prove herself, but in actuality I think it is a stab at desperation. While Jane is on the brink of a mental collapse herself, she just continues to wander from town to town. The chapters following Jane’s flight from Thornfield seem like fillers. The reader knows some turn of events will happen that will eventually save Jane, and it corresponds with how Jane portrays her new character. Unexpectedly Jane now seems to be waiting for someone to sweep in and offer her a new opportunity. After finding sanctuary at the River’s household in Marsh End, Jane is full of contempt and almost scorns Hanna for wishing to turn Jane “from the door” on the eve she arrived. I do not understand where this ungratefulness comes from. How can Jane sound so accusatory after the generosity the River family has shown her? Does Jane just expect people to bid to her grievances now? It is very disappointing that a character I once depended on to make such a vital point about female independence has succumb to a dependant little girl who expects people to lay opportunities at her feet.
Not only has Jane’s character structurally changed, but Bronte’s style of writing now includes this underlying message of “Nature.” I feel as though this constant thought of nature is a new principal that Bronte is considering. Jane spends two nights in the “open air” and then Jane continues to make all these human connections based off of how “nature” must have seen them (ie. St. John’s disposition as well as Miss Oliver’s). The word nature continues to appear in this last section and I just wanted to take a simple note of that.
Also, sorry let me go off on yet another tangent, when Miss Oliver is first introduced, she has an odd resemblance of the virgin bride. She is clad in pure white, while Carlo (the dog) throws back a “long veil.” This imagery distinctly imitates that of a bride and perhaps it is only because of the lost wedding that Jane never had, or maybe it has some deeper meaning.
As a whole, this novel seems to be taking a change, new characters are being introduced, new ideas seem to be appearing and a new side of Jane is being distinguished. Fortunately there is still a good deal of book left, and hopefully Bronte can tie it all together so the reader can understand the distinct rate of change that has so abruptly corrupted the plot.

A New Life

The new chapters we've read have been like starting a whole new book. Jane fled from Thornfield leaving Rochester and poor little Adele. That's what I would have done is just left, it shows Jane's independence that she had all along. Once arriving in the little town with no money the events of her being a begger just don't seem to fit Jane's personality, I thought she was stronger. But she later resolves the problem. When Jane is taken in a Moore House the sisters remind me of Jane herself. St John's first impression was better than Rochester's and he proved to be a more friendly and consistent friend toward Jane. This story of Jane Eyre is getting a little long though, I feel like Bronte is dragging her story on a little too long. When the sisters and St John get the letter informing them of their inheritance, I believe Bronte is showing the reader that Jane will soon be rewarded somehow, perhaps her Uncle's inheritance for being a genuine and truthful person like the sisters and brother. The job opportunity of being at Vale Hall  brings back memories of Miss Temple, I can see Jane resembling her teaching style and care for the orphans there. I don't know if anything will evolve between St John and Jane. When Jane is without a home she again goes to nature for support. She talks about her being her mother for caring, she never had a mother so nature was there. However, this time nature didn't provide so well for her, this could be resembling that she is old enough now to not rely on a mother like figure. The dark versus light aspect of good versus bad is in the section when Jane is spying on the sisters before being invited in by St John. I don't really have anything to predict right now. I keep waiting for a reappearance of Mr. Mason or her uncle or someone tying the past to her present life at Vale Hall. I kind of think that Jane is being very deceptive toward St John, almost the same way Rochester was deceptive toward Jane at Thornfield. Well I guess I'll read and see what happens to Jane and where she ends up. 

Bigamist

After our little debate on Friday I got to thinking, is what Mr. R did really that bad.  Before we had our discussion I thought what R. did was terrible, deceptive, and just plain wrong.  However some very valid points came up.  First of all he was tricked into marrying this women for the money (of course) and he didn't really know her.  As valid as this argument may seem I have to say that him being tricked into the marriage just makes him seem stupid, and I'm not a fan of people who are stupid and can't make decisions for themselves.  Secondly Mr. R. did take Adele into custody even though she wasn't his child and he did continue to care for his crazy wife, but he seems to be iching to get rid of little Adele, and as for his crazy wife, it doesn't really sound like she was crazy so much as promiscuous and that just shows me that Mr. R. is sexist.  After Mr. R. finds out his wife is sleeping around he locks her up and proceeds to take up a life of promiscuity for himself.  Finally there was the argument that Mr. R. really did love Jane.  Personally I feel that it doesn't take just love to make a marriage work, I don't think it takes just love to make anything work.  Love is just an emotion, if it's strong enough it will motivate you to work for something but you still have to work, you can't expect and emotion to fix things when they get screwed up, so Mr. R. may have had enough love but I'm not sure that the love was producing enough motivation to work for what he loved.   I think that Jane made the correct decision in leaving Thornfield, she could have planned a little better, but I think the best thing was for her to leave because if she stayed she would have been in for a lot of pain and suffering.  

Of what we read this weekend...

What? One second you're in love, then you're fiance is secretly married to a werewolf, then your unknown uncle has been trying all along to break up the marriage then our old mystery guest, Mr. Mason, is the final straw to the end of the marriage. Then BAM she runs away, has a little brief moment where she's suddenly one with nature, then kind of drifts into an Into The Wild stumper where her dependence on nature is suddenly faltering and she must become a beggar then BAM she winds up in yet another mansion with yet another crowd of women and another head honcho. Repetitive much? She's so happy at the new manor (which btw was it really that common back then for people to just walk up to houses and beg for boarding?) and then we are kind of knocked off our little safe platform of the new house and blown into this new orphanage because the family has left. And now she is no longer happy. I feel like it's taking Bronte a lot of air to just get these small details in...and where she's headed, no one knows. But she is just beating around the bush. There used to be a time where the book was enthralling, but now it's just Bronte talking (unless of course she is trying to get us somewhere like if Adele ended up at this school ((somehow)) or Rochester tracks her down) and I'm slowly loosing interest.