Chapter 1
Quote:
“Accustomed to John Reed’s abuse, I never had an idea of replying to it: my care was to endure the blow which would certainly follow the insult” (Brontë 7).
Response:
Jane’s reaction to John’s abuse displays the imposition of male dominance during the Victorian Era and further depicts society and future outcomes. Women of the period were accustomed to male abuse and dominance. At the beginning of John’s assault, Jane did not try to oppose him, as if she was used the maltreatment from him. Besides describing the society during the setting of the novel, this event foreshadows the submission of women to men’s will, which will affect the story, because Jane tends to be rebellious against anyone that tries to harm her.
Chapter 3
Quote:
“Heaven is a home, and a rest will not fail me; God is a friend to the poor orphan child” (Brontë 23).
Response:
Bessie’s song is symbolic of Jane’s life. The song portrays the life of a miserable orphan child, which can be interpreted as Jane. The song also exclaims that eventually the life of the orphan child will improve. In other words, Bessie’s chant also serves as a foreshadowing of Jane’s life—she would have to endure many arduous and miserable moments, but, at the end, her life will improve.
Chapter 7
Quote:
“You are aware that my plan in bringing up these girls is, not to accustom them to habits of luxury and indulgence” (Brontë 76).
Response:
Mr. Brocklehurst is a cruel individual with extremist Christian’s beliefs. He believes that deprivation and harsh conditions would make an individual a better Christian. Mr. Brocklehurst is a hypocrite and does not follow his own beliefs; though he forces the Lowood’s students to follow his idealistic form of living, depriving them from nourishing meals and decent clothing.
Chapter 8
Quote:
“No; I know I should think well of myself; but that is not enough; if others don’t love me, I would rather die than live—I cannot bear to be solitary and hated, Helen” (Brontë 84).
Response:
Jane is worried of what people might think about her, in the same way a high class individual would. While Jane resided at Lowood, the Reeds’ mentality of social perspective foiled onto her. Jane cannot surmount what other might think about her, while someone from her social class would more easily disregard the perspective of others. Jane’s foil of high class attributes has interfered with her mentality; thus on her actions.
Chapter 11
Quote:
“But you see they are only servants, and one can’t converse with them in the terms of equality” (Brontë 120).
Response:
Mr. Rochester’s words of partial equality towards Jane depict his captivation of her. During the Victorian Era, servitude personnel, such as Jane, were rarely treated in terms of equality; thus Mr. Rochester’s exclamation that he can talk to her in terms of equality portrays his feelings for her. One can even claim that it is love at first site, since Mr. Rochester and Jane just met.
Carlos,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your attention to the text but I am not sure this is an example of engaging in the conversation if the class. I feel like it doesn't have enough of you in it. Also, it doesn't really provide anyone else with cn opportunity to enter into the conversation either. What do you think of Jane and her situation?
Mrs. Elliott
Carlos,
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness, as a male feminist, do you feel that Jane Eyre and what little you have read of Tess of D'Urbervilles are testimonies to the gender inequality of the Victorian Era? Or do you feel like both these books have given a voice to the Victorian women and consequently show the progress that women were making in society at the time?
- Jake Sanchez
Carlos,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the reminder of Bessie's song at the beginning. Having finished the book, and reflecting, the lyrics become even more relevant. I've also seen, in the book, that people like Mr. Brocklehurst and other religious figures appear to commonly misunderstand the concepts they are trying to preach, while the more common, simple, yet loving Jane can grasp and live out the essence of those values. Just some interesting thoughts.
And Jake,
I agree that both Tess and Jane demonstrate unprecedented strides for their gender during that era, but that is why they stand out. They are heroines because, against the norm, they have made progress in their strength and struggle for equality. I don't believe either author is trying to say that women had been able to achieve this in society on the whole.
-Tori Greaves
Mrs. Elliott:
ReplyDeleteI chose to provide a more in-depth look at particular passages from the novel, because I think that they have much to say not just of the different characters in the novel, but also of society as a whole. Although Jane Eyre was written in the19th century, the text is highly reflective of much societal convection in the present day. For example, today, just like Bessie sang in Chapter 3, parents and caretakers sing to children respective nursery rhymes. In short, I chose to do this in an effort to allow the reader to reflect on their own life, as literature is supposed to do.
Jake,
ReplyDeleteThe books do both. Throughout Jane Eyre, the reader can perceive women’s second-class status during the Victorian Era. For example, it is clear that women are to obey men; even though Mr. Rochester likes Jane and they are, at times, on equal status, Jane is still compelled to obey him. Moreover, Bronte uses the book to give women a voice. Many of Jane’s actions were considered drastic during the Victorian Era.
Hello Carlos!
ReplyDeleteIt's quiet impressive that you did chapter by chapter quote responses and they sound very intellectual, but I'll have to say that it's not really engaging for me. I'd much rather have intense feminist talk with you in real life, in our English group table as always!
Chloe K.