Another of my favorite books is Jane Eyre. If anyone would like to discuss it, please respond. There is a lot to talk about in this book, so I'd love the opportunity to know what others think about it.

Haven't read Jane Eyre in awhile but am a huge fan of Jane Austen, so if you get any takers on a discussion, I'll read it again with pleasure!!

Well, ummm, they're kind of different!

Jane Eyre was written by Charlotte Bronte. Jane Austen wrote (among other things) Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma,....

Of course, though, I'm always ready to discuss Austen as well!

[This message has been edited by Linda1 (edited 10-12-1999).]

So, LindaK29, did you decide to reread it? We don't necessarily have to wait for another person in order to discuss it! I'm willing to talk about it with you!

No, I didn't. But if you are still interested, I can. I work third shift (I'm at work now) but I'm not busy tomorrow. I have Jane Eyre at home so I'll get back to you tomorrow night. In the meantime, what do you think is the biggest differences in the styles of J.Austen and C.Bronte? To be honest, the only Bronte book I've read is J.E. but I've read all of Austen. So? What do you think? (Is Charlotte the Bronte who wrote Wuthering Heights? Man,I can never get through that book! I think I've tried on three separate occasions!)

Okay, I couldn't find my book so I bought a new copy today. Still interested?

Absolutely! Any particular way you want to do it? (ie, do you want to read the whole book first, then we talk about it, or what?)

Um...I think I'd like to read the whole thing. But if I read something that I MUST talk about before I'm done, I'll let you know.
'Kay?
In the meantime, what are some things you have in mind so I can keep an eye out? I mean, give me a "for example."
By the way, and this may be dumb of me, but is Mr. Brocklehurst a Puritan?
Have you seen the black-n-white movie? I remember when I saw it, I was struck by Helen Burns' eyes. Even in black-n-white they were an amazing color. And then I saw that it was Elizabeth Taylor. Well. 'Nuff said then.

Ummmm...things to watch for.....?

Well, I'd be interested to see how you felt about the whole Mrs. Reed portion. What was her basis for treating Jane the way she did? Did she have any justifiable reason for doing so?

Was Jane deserving of any of the treatment she got?

How strongly did you feel the emotions in the book (ie, when Jane was put into the Red Room, did you feel anger?)

At what point did you suspect that Mr. Rochester saw Jane differently than the governess?

Did the subtle showing of feeling touch your heart (for instance, when he wouldn't let go of her hand after the fire, how did you feel?)

I have a lot more things I want to know and discuss, but I'll start with that.

Btw, (and DON'T do this before you read the book) you need to watch the Timothy Dalton version of the movie. It sticks the closest to the book than any of the ones made. The Orson Wells version was too short. The William Hurt one was horrible (he shouldn't have attempted that role). Now, the Ciaran Hinds version (of just a few years ago) was good. But, it wasn't really true to the book. He has great talent, and I loved seeing him do the part, but you have to go with the assumption that it's not really "Jane Eyre." Rent the Dalton one later and watch it.

And, also, please, please, please, anyone else that wants to discuss this book, JOIN IN! This isn't limited to just the two of us - I would love to hear from anyone who has read this book.

Yeah, Mrs. Reed really bothered me. There was something...insincere?... about the way her character was written. She seems so one dimensional. We never see anything but her hatred for Jane and her blindness concerning her own children. She's like an early Cruella DeVille (from 101 Dalmations). I know she made a promise to her husband to take care of Jane but why did she take that promise so seriously? It seems to me that this loyalty is a bit out of her character. Strange as it may seem, perhaps Jane did unknowingly bring about all the mistreatment she got. The Reed family are not a sweet, quiet, thoughtful bunch of people and when confronted with someone with these qualities (among others) they probably felt that they were, at the same time, signs of weakness in Jane and, since they were "pious", they probably realized somewhere in their hearts that Jane was many things that a person SHOULD be but nothing they were. If you could get through that last run-on sentence...what I mean is, Jane's "goodness" was daily rubbed in their faces and instead of reacting as some would, they were cruel to her. The more demur she was, the worse her treatment. Mrs. Reed was determined to see this quiet girl as being silently rebellious rather than merely a quiet girl.

When Jane was put in the red room, I didn't feel anger as much as I did pity. I felt sorry for Jane. I did feel her fear, though, when she described the room and spooked herself. I know how easy it is for a kid to be spooked.

Mrs. Reed's character was not as confusing to me as Bessie's (the maid/nanny person). She was so moody. I could never tell if she liked Jane or if she like the Reed children. I could never understand her. And then when Jane left and Bessie was sweet to her, I wondered where all that affection was before. I think Bessie is a bi-polar personality. I've never seen anyone go from affectionate to completely casual to indifferent as Bessie does.

Helen Burns (I know, is based on her sister) is such a goody-goody in this book that it makes me sick. She has not one bit of (as my mom would say) "piss and vinegar". Not one ounce of spunk. I think she would have gotten on my nerves if I were Jane.

I've seen the Orson Welles version (loved it) and I have the William Hurt version (not as good as the Orson Welles version) but I've never seen the Timothy Dalton version. I'll try to find it (once I finish.)

I'm still reading....

Hey, Linda1...
What do you think about Bronte's views of women? There are very few women in this book who are nice or good or kind. They are mean-spirited and snooty. There is one passage where Bronte remarks that a woman can learn just as much as a man and can be just as important as a man (which seems a bit before her time!) but there isn't anyone in the book who exemplifies that, except Jane.
When do you suppose Mr. Rochester first fell in love with Jane? Do you think he first realized it the night of the fire or do you think he suspected he loved her before that?
Interesting contrast between Jane the orphan and Adele the orphan.

I'm done reading, Linda1. If you're still interested...

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...enjoying the journey...

Hello I'm a Sixth Year English Student in Scotland and I am writing a dissertation on Great Expectations, Tess of the D'Ubervilles and Jane Eyre. I am exploring the theme of fate and free will in these novels.

Do you think that Jane has more self determination than other female charcters of her time?

How much do you think fate plays a part in her life?

(Moving this back up to the top of the topic list.)

Has anyone found any literary criticisms on Jane Eyre on the web? I've had someone ask me, and I want to see if anyone can help give some answers.