So we're finally done with Jane Eyre! Woo!
No but really, the book was very interesting. I think it was probably the first text I've attempted to read from that period, and I was pleasantly intrigued.
There were many things that allowed this book to 'work' as a whole. The biggest thing, I think, is the fact that Jane had to make a very important decision with such little experience in life and at a young age. She was twenty by the end of the book, and eighteen when Rochester first asked her to marry him. I mean, I'm eighteen. I could never make a decision like that without "living" a little first (Nor would I want to be married anyway that young). The book worked by doing this, however, because it is an excellent way of illustrating Jane's different stages of growing up.
There were also some things that I though didn't work. The first example I can think of is Jane finding St. John. This was a nice little additive to the book, as it forced Jane to make an important decision. However, I think that this pushed the limit a little too far as far as credibility goes. I would have liked it more if he wasn't her cousin, but just a newly met friend. This would add more tension internally for Jane I think.
The book is perfect for our coming of age unit. It is also an interesting opportunity to learn about the victorian period, which was a lot different than I thought it was. The book should stay in college literature I think. It is quite advanced I think, but I guess that's why it's called college literature. It is also littered with motifs and other literary elements, which makes it interesting to discuss in class. I enjoyed hearing different perspectives on the same text from other people.
My last thoughts? The book is interesting, intense, yet mellow at the same time. I liked how a lot of the conflict was internal. That made it different from most other fiction I have read. I would like to see/read other fan-fiction-esque texts about Jane Eyre.
Peace,
Johnny
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