tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post7345952802976746871..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: Jane Eyre Read Along Chapters 11 - 14Brian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-87759997752671419032014-10-16T21:10:52.503-04:002014-10-16T21:10:52.503-04:00Hi Lainy - There are too many books that I read th...Hi Lainy - There are too many books that I read that I do not now remember well. It is a pity that we do not have better memories. <br /><br />Looking at this book in chunks has truly been both fun and enlightening.<br /><br />Thanks for following along with us!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-39286634217791682392014-10-15T08:52:19.259-04:002014-10-15T08:52:19.259-04:00I seem to remember very little of this book. Desp...I seem to remember very little of this book. Despite not being \ble to read a long with you lovely people I think I will be keeping tabs on this as you go. Really interesting to see everyones analysis and thoughts as the book is broken down in chunk chapters.<br /><br />Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.netSo many books, so little timehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07564778178609301461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-54435966479655341582014-10-14T05:36:58.879-04:002014-10-14T05:36:58.879-04:00Hi Jacqui - Thanks so much.
Though I do think th...Hi Jacqui - Thanks so much. <br /><br />Though I do think that people have changed, in some ways people are much the same today as they were on Jane Eyrie's time.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-39953426444788544252014-10-14T05:35:12.443-04:002014-10-14T05:35:12.443-04:00Hi Vonnie - Without a doubt those paintings indica...Hi Vonnie - Without a doubt those paintings indicate a darkness in Jane's psyche. They are also so packed with imagery and symbolism I think that one can spend a lot of time analyzing them.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-8602143646320730602014-10-14T04:20:40.804-04:002014-10-14T04:20:40.804-04:00I'm very impressed with the depth to which you...I'm very impressed with the depth to which you are analysing various aspects of this book, Brian. I'm sure your posts and subsequent discussion will form a valuable resource on Jane Eyre. Fascinating questions, especially the comparison to how individuals in similar situations would behave in the present day. JacquiWinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16220597283351925721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-57219142090423385412014-10-14T02:06:44.015-04:002014-10-14T02:06:44.015-04:00I like your response about Jane's character wh...I like your response about Jane's character when it came to her paintings. I agree that her paintings show a darker side of her since she seems to portray people in a negative light. Vonniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03987861951233408815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-90817544963596488582014-10-13T21:10:44.960-04:002014-10-13T21:10:44.960-04:00Hi Sharon - I do think that the bullying was on th...Hi Sharon - I do think that the bullying was on the milder side. I might describe an embittered rich person having their way as perhaps overbearing and bullying :)<br /><br />Indeed I may be pushing some twentieth century terminology on to what I think Bronte may be doing here. However, I do think that there is a history of writers mixing in other belief systems with Christianity well before Bronte. Shakespeare is one that comes to mind.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-30150260074603032902014-10-13T21:00:46.920-04:002014-10-13T21:00:46.920-04:00Hi Suko -Your comment reminds me of the fact that ...Hi Suko -Your comment reminds me of the fact that I really need to learn a lot more about art and art history.<br /><br />The thing about Rochester is that his difficult treatment of Jane, oddly reflects a respect for her.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-9422212537265607112014-10-13T21:00:41.520-04:002014-10-13T21:00:41.520-04:00Hi Suko -Your comment reminds me of the fact that ...Hi Suko -Your comment reminds me of the fact that I really need to learn a lot more about art and art history.<br /><br />The thing about Rochester is that his difficult treatment of Jane, oddly reflects a respect for her.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-41021107429113354452014-10-13T20:56:49.097-04:002014-10-13T20:56:49.097-04:00Hi Maria - The mythology is definitely getting rea...Hi Maria - The mythology is definitely getting really interesting. More great stuff to come!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-48638897419895729862014-10-13T20:54:41.017-04:002014-10-13T20:54:41.017-04:00Hi Tracy - Jane is defiantly not simpering. If you...Hi Tracy - Jane is defiantly not simpering. If you give this one a read I would love to know what you think.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-89395474450289831372014-10-13T20:53:47.341-04:002014-10-13T20:53:47.341-04:00Hi James - I do find Rochester a little more diffi...Hi James - I do find Rochester a little more difficult then I find him forbidding. There is defiantly a bit of darkness in him.<br /><br />This has definitely been an interesting discussion.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-37342265417457662722014-10-13T15:49:25.486-04:002014-10-13T15:49:25.486-04:00I'll have to disagree with you and the others....I'll have to disagree with you and the others. Rochester is no more a bully than any other embittered rich person used to having his way. Jane herself said that it did not intimidate her, that she would have been uncomfortable if he'd talked to her in a softer fashion.<br />England is rich with myth and lore. Again, Bronte is making reference to a part of her culture. I would be careful to impose a 21st century worldview on her.<br />Finally, concerning Adele. I think Bronte simply didn't like the French. Her prejudice shows here as well as in other books where she described the French in blatantly biased terms. She thinks them frivolous, shallow and Popish. All things offensive to her Victorian Protestant soul.Sharon Wilfonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17466621290140789056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-64510295330666472112014-10-13T15:33:46.692-04:002014-10-13T15:33:46.692-04:00This is a fascinating discussion! I had forgotten ...This is a fascinating discussion! I had forgotten so much about this novel, but the plot and themes come back to me as I read these posts.<br />A few quick things:<br />It does seem that Jane is bullied by Rochester (and others!) due at least in part to her extraordinary nature. I agree that the paintings may symbolize or depict Jane's bleak surroundings, and the world in which she lives, which would contribute to a dark "inner" life.<br />(Thank goodness for the Impressionists, who "lightened up" the world in the 19th-century!)<br /><br />Excellent post, Brian Joseph and Maria! I look forward to the next one. Sukohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11893742747135555499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-39736665788823023772014-10-13T15:32:03.435-04:002014-10-13T15:32:03.435-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Sukohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11893742747135555499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-54957800977789730762014-10-13T14:03:55.989-04:002014-10-13T14:03:55.989-04:00Great insights here, Brian!
I really like your ob...Great insights here, Brian!<br /><br />I really like your observation that Adele's rather comfortable upbringing would not have produced a character as strong as Jane's. You are absolutely right!<br /><br />I also agree with your point that myth and magic are quite important in the meeting between Jane and Rochester, as well as in the novel, in general.<br /><br />I'm glad you also mentioned the fact that Rochester had some bullying tendencies, as well as arrogance. Yes, he's quite an overbearing character, and I'm seeing that much more clearly in this second reading!<br /><br />As for Jane's paintings, they mystify me, as well, so I will definitely consult Mr. Google!<br /><br />Thanks for your fascinating analysis of these chapters! : )Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-52098379986796787962014-10-13T08:32:12.340-04:002014-10-13T08:32:12.340-04:00Yet more proof that not all of the women in the so...Yet more proof that not all of the women in the so called classics were simpering. another interesting post, thanks Brian.Felicity Grace Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17852843882007267665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-43307442008564653722014-10-13T06:28:11.713-04:002014-10-13T06:28:11.713-04:00Brian,
I appreciate your interesting thoughts abo...Brian,<br /><br />I appreciate your interesting thoughts about the reading for this week. The connection with mythology and magic is certainly important and Mr. Rochester's darkness is forbidding and may possibly be subject for a change. The mystery seems to grow in the fourteenth chapter. Our discussion continues apace.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00561320676355168336noreply@blogger.com