Jane Eyre Book Chat

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 If you are at all familiar with English novels and period dramas on the big and little screen, you will by no doubt know of the heroine – Jane Eyre. It is a fascinating and chilling story that Charlotte Bronte wrote with the popular Romantic and Gothic story elements of her time. Now, after rereading it for the first time in decades, I am amazed at the TRUTH, GOODNESS, and BEAUTY found in its pages. It is a  real work of literary genius. As one whose writing is perhaps more manageable to understand because it is written in first person perspective, and one whose heroine is relatable and charming, Bronte leads the reader through a thought-provoking narrative that contains echoes of fairy tale forms, along with some realism, naturalism, and supernatural flavor intricately weaved throughout the chapters. 

Jane Eyre is described by Joyce Carol Oates, in the "Introduction" to one of my editions of the book, as one who would “'resis'” the terms of her destiny (social or spiritual). . . we have after all the willful heroines of certain of Shakespeare’s plays and those of Jane Austen’s elegant comedies of manners. But Jane Eyre is a young woman wholly unprotected by social position, family, or independent wealth; she is without material or social power; she is as Charlotte Bronte judged herself, 'small and plain and Quaker-like – lacking the most superficial yet seemingly necessary qualities of femininity.'" (p. v)

First written under the  pseudonym, Currer Bell, when Charlotte Bronte was 31 years old, Jane Eyre became an instant success. Not only does it have melodramatic scenes birthed from classic eighteenth-century Gothic romance novels, the story also contains within itself, fascinating introspective analysis by the narrator herself. Writer Karen Swallow Prior describes Jane Eyre’s “ordinariness” is what makes “the novel extraordinary.” (p. 14) Jane is Everywoman and it’s this realism and humanness and Jane’s modern ideas of equality that make it innovative and, according to G. K. Chesterton, the “truest book that was ever written.”

It is exciting to watch Jane’s story arc and personal development as she moves from place to place – from the Reed’s mansion Gateshead, to Lowood School, to Thornfield, to Whitecross, and finally to Ferndean. One thing that remains throughout all her travels and experiences, is her dedication to understanding what is TRUE, doing what is GOOD, and appreciating what is BEAUTIFUL. And that is what we are going to talk about today!

Favorite Resources:

•  Jane Eyre: A Guide to Reading and Reflecting by Charlotte Bronte and Karen Swallow Prior 
• Jane Eyre (2006 miniseries starring Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens)
• The Cry of the Soul by Dr. Dan B. Allender and Dr. Tremper Longman III
• The Homesick Heart: Longing for Spiritual Intimacy by Jean Fleming

 "Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for the faculties, and a field for their efforts as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint, too absolute a stagnation, precisely as men would suffer; and it is narrow-minded in their more privileged fellow-creatures to say that they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting stockings, to playing on the piano and embroidering bags. It is thoughtless to condemn them or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom as pronounced necessary for their sex." (Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, Bantam Classic Edition, p. 115)

Rochester - "Dred remorse when you are tempted to err, Miss Eyre: remorse is the poison of life." Jane - "Repentance is said to be its cure, sir."  Rochester - "It is not its cure. Reformation may be its cure; and I could reform -- I have strength yet for that --if--but where is the use of thinking of it, hampered, burdened, cursed as I am?"  Jane - "It seems to me, that if you tried hard, you would in time find it possible to become what you yourself would approve; and that if from this day you began with resolution to correct your thoughts and actions, you would in a few years have laid up a new and stainless store of recollections to which you might revert with pleasure." (Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, Bantam Classic Edition, p. 144- 145)

Jane - "a wanderer's repose or a sinner's reformation should never depend on a fellow-creature. Men and women die; philosophers falter in wisdom, and Christians in goodness; if any one you know has suffered and erred, let him look higher than his equals for strength to amend and solace to heal." (Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, Bantam Classic Edition, p. 234)

Jane - "Do you think I am an automaton?. . . . Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! -- I have as much soul as you -- and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh: it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God's feet, equal -- as we are! . . . . I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will, which I now exert to leave you." (Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, Bantam Classic Edition p. 271-272)

Jane - "And was Mr. Rochester now ugly in my eyes? No, reader: gratitude and many associations, all pleasurable and genial, made his face the object I best liked to see; his presence in a room was more cheering than the brightest fire. Yet I had not forgotten his faults..." (Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, Bantam Classic Edition, p. 155)

Jane - "You are no ruin, sir -- no lightning-struck tree: you are green and vigorous. Plants will grow about your roots, whether you ask them or not, because they take delight in your bountiful shadow; and as they grow they will lean towards you, and wind round you, because your strength offers them so safe a prop." (Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, Bantam Classic Edition, p. 484)

Jane - "Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation; they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be . If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth -- so I have always believed; and if I cannot believe it now, it is because I am insane -- quite insane, with my veins running fire, and my hear beating faster than I can count its throbs. Preconceived opions, forgone determinations are all I have at this hour to stand by; there I plant my foot." (Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, Bantam Classic Edition, p. 342-343)

“'resist' the terms of her destiny (social or spiritual). . . we have after all the willful heroines of certain of Shakespeare’s plays and those of Jane Austen’s elegant comedies of manners. But Jane Eyre is a young woman wholly unprotected by social position, family, or independent wealth; she is without material or social power; she is as Charlotte Bronte judged herself, “small and plain and Quaker-like – lacking the most superficial yet seemingly necessary qualities of femininity.'" (Joyce Carol Oats, "Introduction" to Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, Bantam Classic Edition p. v)

the "truest book that was ever written" (G. K. Chesterton, Twelve Types - "Charlotte Bronte," Project Gutenberg - https://gutenberg.org/files/12491/12491-h/12491-h.htm)

"I remembered that the real world was wide, and that a varied field of hopes and fears, of sensations and excitements, awaited those who had the courage to go forth into its expanse, to seek real knowledge of life amidst its perils." (Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte)   

"Crying does not indicate that you are weak. Since birth it has always been a sign that you are alive." (Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte)   

"Emotion links our internal and external worlds. To be aware of what we feel can open us to questions we would rather ignore. For many of us, that is precisely why it is easier not to feel. But a failure to feel leaves us barren and distant from God and others. We often seem caught between extremes of feeling too much or not enough." (The Cry of the Soul by Dr. Dan B. Allender and Dr. Tremper Longman III)  

"Ignoring our emotions is turning our back on reality. Listening to our emotions ushers us into reality. And reality is where we meet God . . . Emotions are the language of the soul. They are the cry that gives the heart a voice. To understand our deepest passions and convictions, we must learn to listen to the cry of the soul." (The Cry of the Soul by Dr. Dan B. Allender and Dr. Tremper Longman III)  

 "What is it we crave, if not life? Not our life that comes with the seeds of death embedded in it. But real life, true life, pure LIFE." (The Homesick Heart by Jean Fleming, page 45)  

"Our dreams erupt from the desire for love- a love beyond. We want to know human love, but human love is not enough. Our longings prowl hopefully. Driven by an undefined hunger, we can fall into two tragedies. We can seek wildly and indiscriminately, tasting every fruit, or we can retreat into dreams, enjoying phantom princes and missing the real thing." (The Homesick Heart by Jean Fleming) 

". . . give a child a single valuable idea, and you have done more for his education than if you had laid upon his mind the burden of bushels of information . . ." - Charlotte Mason, Volume 1: Home Education, p. 174

1. What are you longing for in life? Are your passions drawing you closer to intimacy with God or pulling you away from it? How can we prioritize our love for God over everything else?
2. What "laws" or Scripture or words of wisdom can you hide in your heart so that when different temptations arise, you can withstand them?
3. Consider how your emotions reflect your attitudes towards God and the things he's doing in your life. Are we experiencing seemingly negative emotions (like fear, anger, despair, etc.) in a righteous or unrighteous manner?