Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Reading Jane Eyre


"Do you read you Bible?"
"Sometimes."
"With pleasure? Are you fond of it?"
"I like Revelations, and the book of Daniel, and Genesis and Samuel, and a little bit of Exodus, and some parts of Kings and Chronicles, and Job and Jonah."
"And the Psalms? I hope you like them?"
"No, sir."
"No? Oh, shocking! I have a little boy, younger that you, who knows six Psalms by heartL and when you ask him which he would rather have, a gingerbread-nut to eat, or a verse of a Psalm to learn, he says 'Oh! the verse of a Psalm! angels sing Psalms,' says he; 'I wish to be a little angel here below;' he then gets two nuts in recompense for his infant piety."

-Mr. Brockelhurst interviews Jane, 
from Charlotte Bronte's 'Jane Eyre', Chapter 4




I've been reading Jane Eyre lately as a title on my 2011 reading list and in anticipation of the newest screen adaptation of the novel.

In re-reading this book I have three hopes:

  1. To compare film adaptations as I read and see how all existing film adaptations match up with the text.
  2. To see how much faith and Christianity the authoress included and how that matches up with God's Word.
  3. To compare Charlotte Bronte's writing with Jane Austen and see why Charlotte seemed to not like Jane Austen's work.


"Why do you like Miss Austen so very much? I am puzzled on that point. ...I should hardly like to live with her ladies and gentlemen, in their elegant but confined houses. These observations will probably irritate you, but I shall run the risk." 
- Charlotte Brontë, January 12, 1848


I've only gotten through the first few chapters so far because I'm also trying to read a few other books at the same time. I had forgot how truly dark and depressing the story is! But it's a compelling story at the same time because you want to keep reading and hoping that Jane's prospects will improve. I know things are going to get worse before they get better, poor Jane Eyre!



From the photos and trailer I've seen of the new Jane Eyre adaptation my interest is piqued. Even if it's not a faithful adaptation it will be a beautiful period drama! I am pleased that Thornton Hall isn't painted as a Gothic mansion but seems to be lighter and brighter than in previous adaptations.

You can watch the trailer here. I've also created this video with promo photos from the movie, just some lovely eye candy!





Have you read Jane Eyre? If so what was your opinion? Are you looking forward to the new adaptation?


Very Truly Your's,


13 comments:

Anna Olivia said...

I am reading the book right now, and love it. <3 I wanna watch this particular version of the movie quite badly. ;) I enjoyed your little video!!!~

Miss Elizabeth Bennet said...

I read Jane Eyre as a freshman in high school. I didn't care for reading it, but after talking more about it in class, I thought it was okay. I still much more prefer Jane Austen's works because I think they're more relatable to me than Jane Eyre was.

If you can figure out why Charlotte Bronte didn't like Jane Austen works, I would be interested in reading about it. It was something I've been wondering about. :-)

The Editrix said...

RE Charlotte Bronte's opinion of Austen's writing - I was thinking about this the other day. . . I think she should have read Mansfield Park, and/or Persuasion - I think they would have more to Charlotte's taste than P&P!

Jujube said...

I read Jane Eyre sometime last year, I think. And I really liked it!

I'm excited to see how the new film adaption will be. I was quite disappointed when a friend commented that the trailer made it seem like a horror film. But I do hope it turns out better.

Charity U said...

I prefer Jane Austen, but this is a good book! Mr. B is so terrible...and you can tell that little boy has got his family etc curled around his little finger. He's figured out..."if I say I'd rather learn a psalm, two things happen! 1. don't have to learn the psalm. 2. get TWO ginger-nuts!" Ugh. :( ;)

I enjoyed the Timothy Dalton movie. That is, TD as the main guy. I need to do more research on the new adaption.

Johanna said...

Jane Eyre would have to be my all time favorite book, as I said when writing a review for it, all other novels should be compared by this one!
Will you be writing a review for this new addaption once you see it?? I would love it you would! I always love reading your thoughts!

~Johanna~

Anonymous said...

I notice that is rated PG-13.... for some bad contant.... I wonder if you can get an edited version??

Paul said...

very interesting what Bronte said about not caring very much for Austen

i'm not sure why, but i'm not surprised either

generally speaking, i'd say creative people tend to look at other creative people though a different lens than most

selfish as it may sound, i'd go out on a limb to say a creative person much prefers their own way of seeing the world

if for no other reason than to maintain a sense of internal boundaries where their own creative process can feel unencumbered to take shape and develop

Melody said...

I confess I have been prejudiced about Charlotte Bronte ever since I found out she didn't like Jane Austen. Well, nevertheless, I plan on reading Jane Eyre sometime, hopefully soonish. ;-)

Miss Laurie said...

Wow! I'm so excited to have had 9 comments already! I'm glad this subject is interesting to everyone. I'll definitely be doing another post on Jane Austen vs. Charlotte Bronte. I've found some further quotes that illuminate Miss Bronte's view of what fiction should be.

Johanna - as soon as I do see this newest Jane Eyre adaptation I will be doing a review. I also hope to compare the many other adaptations.

Melody - Jane Eyre is definitely worth reading. It's very good just a bit more dark and depressing at times.

Francesca D. said...

You are a very beautiful blog! It's so nice! And I love Jane Eyre...

Anonymous said...

I love Jane Eyre! Read it for the first time last year. Look forward to see this new movie!
Greetings from Norway

Madrigal said...

I once read that Charlotte Brontë got this letter by a lady saying that she should write like Jane Austen. So maybe this is the cause of her dislinking.

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