This masterpiece first conducted by Charlotte Bronte tells us the story of a young orphan thrusted into victimisation and insanity as she battles the undying forces of the upper class whilst retaining her sense of humility. Told entirely in first person, through three volumes of buildungsroman - this is the ultimate light read for a Victorian Era fanatic and someone who enjoys the orality of autobiography in a fashion that was not yet seen until the publishing of Jane Eyre itself.
Characters:
My favourite character throughout the entire novel is Helen Burns. She may not be a major character, but she is one of the major influences on Jane's life. Not only does she teach Jane how to bear the scrutiny and to calm herself down - but she also gives Jane life lessons that she'll take with her to places such as Thornfield Hall and the home of St. John Rivers. Helen's teaching is what gives Jane nerve, courage and humility in a world that Helen tells her is against her in every way. Helen produces claims that the hatred should continue until Jane wises up and masters her own faults - showing the world that she can survive without their help. Jane faces the fact that she is a whiny child and quits complaining about everything - she wises up and takes Helen's advice in order to find her true place in the world.
Themes:
The most important theme throughout the entire novel, I believe, is loss and grief. The ways in which Jane deals with losses throughout the novel seemingly change drastically from character to character or place to place.
*SPOILER ALERT*
DO NOT READ ON IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ THE BOOK FIRST.
We shall continue then...
Themes cont'd:
At first, she deals with the loss of Helen; and this is the biggest shock to Jane's life. She seemingly handles it as an emotional outcry and clutches on to Helen's dead body only moments before she is taken away. This is a complete contrast to the way in which she deals with the death of Mrs. Reed. This is because Jane's mannerisms have completely contrasted as she's gotten older and with remembering all of the hatred Mrs. Reed gave her, she does not mourn very much. But, she does not feel glad that Mrs. Reed is dead either; she is simply contented with knowing that Mrs. Reed is not in harm's way anymore and has been put out of her misery.
Storyline:
The storyline of Jane Eyre is simply a buildungsroman of a young orphan growing up in a world that seemingly hates her. But this is not the only important thing we witness - the main thing we establish from reading the novel is not that it's a world that hates Jane. On the other hand, we have already claimed this as a buildungsroman - which is a book about self-discovery in growing up. This means that we should in fact, be saying that the storyline is about a young orphan discovering that she hates the world she lives in and must come to terms with her own faults if she is to be contented.
Verdict:
I give this book a 7/9
100% for characters: Helen Burns is one of the most three dimensional characters of the Victorian Literary World. I believe that Helen is the embodiment of the "mentor" in Christian Volger's cycles and mythical structures. A brilliant character with not enough recognition.
2/3 for themes: Some themes such as youth and beauty are missed out or even forgotten in analysis. We must not forget that Georgiana and Eliza are the personification of shallow beauty when we read a novel like this. We must remember that these two are the contrasts to Jane's character. Yet, I believe this is our fault and not Bronte's.
2/3 for storyline: Sometimes the storyline can be somewhat predictable, or even a little long winded. Such as the section with the red room is pretty long compared to the section dedicated to the death of Mrs. Reed. Somewhat symbolic that one was traumatic and the other was contented, Jane Eyre does not seem to devote time reasonably in places. But, the part where Jane draws Blanche Ingram is simply brilliant and so instead of an initial 1/3, I gave it 2/3.
Quotation to find!
"Reader, I married him..."
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