This is a risky venture, there is no doubt about it. There is certainly no other book of this ilk currently in the English market however i am uncertain that it would be an instant bestseller or even if it would be liked by a British audience. This book makes a firm statement and there is no knowing how this will be received.
Sputnik sweetheart is clearly a labour of love. The energy and passion of the description truly moves the reader. You are not sampling another world but becoming immersed in it. I can find no fault with the level of sophistication employed within the imagery and the repeated metaphors are expertly entwined with the context of the characters. I particularly enjoyed crunchy descriptions such as 'veritable tornado sweeping across the plains' and deep metaphors that convey layers upon layers of meaning 'The barber won't be digging any more holes'. The intensity of this description, realistic as it is in conveying the feel of many sensations and emotions, nevertheless creates a surreal effect. In turn these strengthens the connections one feels with the characters. They are painted literally in the mind.
However, half way through the book there is a definite split, either side of which could be an entirely different book. The plot goes from a quaint story of love, development and growing up to the surreal, phantom mystery world of fantasy. The main problem of course is the great crevasse between these two genres. Many readers may like one but be put off by the other. The blurb is perhaps deceitful; one can easily come away thinking that Sputnik sweetheart is a perfectly straight tale of a love triangle gone drastically wrong. The ending is also incredibly vague and may leave readers feeling unsatisfied that the book has been successfully concluded.
However, there is most certainly a niche in the market for your style. The strengths of the language are such that the reader feels a great intimacy for the characters and what they go through. It does take a very open mind to get to the end of the book without wondering what on earth happened to the simple love story however this does, in a way, add to the special nature of the novel.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Thursday, November 1, 2007
The Delicious Ramblings of the Unstable Mind
Jean Rhys has written a prequel to Jane Eyre.
Much of the population, at this point i expect, would like to question why. I certainly did!
After slogging through the door wedge that is Jane Eyre i had no particular wish to revisit the dank and dismal world of Bronte's Victorian England! But Rhys has indeed found a most interesting story, perspective, setting and character. She has delved into the past of Bertha Mason, the mad woman in the attic. In Jane Eyre Bertha is integral to the plot! But as a character she is unexplored. We see Rochesters view of his mad wife and the rest is assumption. However, this is a new century and we appear to be a curious bunch and we demand to know just what it was that caused Bertha to be dragged down the rabbit hole and just what stopped her from climbing out.
Rhys chooses not to follow and model Bronte's style in the book. A post modern writing style for a novel on post colonialism, Rhys uses the setting of the caribbean to her advantage. The narrators seem constantly to be at war, constantly confused with their own state of affairs. Rhys' description of Antoinette's (Bertha's) homeland is just as sporadic and wild. The imagery oxymoronic and somewhat unreal. The unnamed Rochester even comments on how jamaica is as a dream. But this dream is spiked with the poison of derranged nightmares in a rather matter of fact way. A flower is wonderously gorgeous with the scent of death, in the same way one might embellish the same sentence by saying that a bee happened to be perched on it.
This style really does fit the story like a glove to a hand. i think it emphasises the plot, which is of course centred around the supposed madness of Bertha Mason. She lives in a multicoloured, multisensual world where everything is at an extreme! And Rhys writes up to the standards of her overwhelming setting with a fast paced narrative that you need to be wide awake for. A whirling world of race, religion, status, power and control manipulates the events of Antoinettes life until she has lost her most important sense; that of who she is!
Wide Sargasso Sea, depite being a prequel to Jane Eyre is really nothing like the old classic. Instead, the two books are as different as the main characters; plain jane eyre vs the passions of Antoinette. The major advantage of Wide Sargasso Sea is that it brings a full real world. There are no cliches, no melodrama needed as instead we have real people with their own quirks, intrigues, faults and prejudices against a background of the awareness of a patriachal society, racism and politics. For me, it brings Wide Sargasso Sea alive and out of the realms of a story.
Much of the population, at this point i expect, would like to question why. I certainly did!
After slogging through the door wedge that is Jane Eyre i had no particular wish to revisit the dank and dismal world of Bronte's Victorian England! But Rhys has indeed found a most interesting story, perspective, setting and character. She has delved into the past of Bertha Mason, the mad woman in the attic. In Jane Eyre Bertha is integral to the plot! But as a character she is unexplored. We see Rochesters view of his mad wife and the rest is assumption. However, this is a new century and we appear to be a curious bunch and we demand to know just what it was that caused Bertha to be dragged down the rabbit hole and just what stopped her from climbing out.
Rhys chooses not to follow and model Bronte's style in the book. A post modern writing style for a novel on post colonialism, Rhys uses the setting of the caribbean to her advantage. The narrators seem constantly to be at war, constantly confused with their own state of affairs. Rhys' description of Antoinette's (Bertha's) homeland is just as sporadic and wild. The imagery oxymoronic and somewhat unreal. The unnamed Rochester even comments on how jamaica is as a dream. But this dream is spiked with the poison of derranged nightmares in a rather matter of fact way. A flower is wonderously gorgeous with the scent of death, in the same way one might embellish the same sentence by saying that a bee happened to be perched on it.
This style really does fit the story like a glove to a hand. i think it emphasises the plot, which is of course centred around the supposed madness of Bertha Mason. She lives in a multicoloured, multisensual world where everything is at an extreme! And Rhys writes up to the standards of her overwhelming setting with a fast paced narrative that you need to be wide awake for. A whirling world of race, religion, status, power and control manipulates the events of Antoinettes life until she has lost her most important sense; that of who she is!
Wide Sargasso Sea, depite being a prequel to Jane Eyre is really nothing like the old classic. Instead, the two books are as different as the main characters; plain jane eyre vs the passions of Antoinette. The major advantage of Wide Sargasso Sea is that it brings a full real world. There are no cliches, no melodrama needed as instead we have real people with their own quirks, intrigues, faults and prejudices against a background of the awareness of a patriachal society, racism and politics. For me, it brings Wide Sargasso Sea alive and out of the realms of a story.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Wide Sargasso Sea- Part One: Childhood
Wide Sargasso Sea makes a fascinating read, after reading Jane Eyre especially. I believe fairly fervently that i would not have enjoyed the issues raised in WSS half as much if i had not already read JE!
The opening of the book very much seems to parallel JE. Rhys mirrors Brontes use of a matter of fact negative tone that very much sets up the mood of the rest of the book. However, where Bronte subdues herself, Rhys only becomes more intense. 'There was no hope in taking a walk that day' 'My father, visitors, feeling safe in bed- all belonged to the past'.
The overriding theme of the first chapter is most certainly the feeling of isolation. However, Antoinette has this on a new level compared to Jane. Not only is she isolated from friends or family, she is also on account of being a poor white Creole, isolated from her identity and her feeling of home. A theme that is brought up which seems far more central than it ever was in JE is that of control. Whereas it is implied in JE it is more apparent in WSS and there are several symbols that portray this which i will discuss in greater depth when i come to Motifs. Other Themes that crop up are the supernatural, naivety and innocence, prejudice and racism, intolerance of other cultures, class and wealth, God and the devil, light and dark.
Antoinettes character is developed very concisely in this section. Isolated during her childhood she becomes an extreme introvert and also a tad neurotic. She becomes very wary of strange or different people holding the view that they don't understand her or life in the Caribbean. As most things in her life are so very out of her control she latches onto the place where she lives as the only everlasting object in her life. Thus she distrusts people and instead immerses herself in the wildness of the landscape.
Many motifs seem to be introduced in this section. Most notably those of repeated use of colour for added emphasis and effect and that of control. Rhys plays around with the use of colour in her characters language, especially the language of the servants which throughout the book seems to be the voice of unutterable truths. 'look the black englishman! look the white niggers!' As well of the use of the colours black and white the colour red is also used copiously mirroring JE, the colour red once more being used to symbolise passion and love. The control appears in many symbols and metaphors. The most obvious and notable of these is the death of Coco the Parrot. As a bird he is a symbol of freedom, and yet Mr Mason has clipped his wings disabling him. So where he appears as if he could fly free if he tries all that happens is that he will consume himself and die in the attempt. This shows control as Coco is no longer even in control of his own survival. Coco is also,i believe, a metaphor for Antoinette who is disabled by her family, her 'wings clipped' by Mr Mason when he married her mother and thus assumed control over her. Antoinette is now at the mercy of Mr Mason who can just as easily leave her behind as Coco leaving her to stumble and crash through existence.
WSS has a most definite sense of place. I think that Place is a far more important feature than it was in JE, mainly as Antoinette attatches herself to her home in a way that Jane never does. In this they are opposites. Jane attatches herself to people and is neither here nor there about place; Antoinette attatches herself to her home and becomes neither here nor there about people or their emotions. Antoinette never truly expands or is ever able to connect with those who do not understanf Coulibri. Adversely Coulibri becomes her yard stick for measuring everywhere else despite the fact that the reader can see how abnormal a place it is to grow up. Antoinette consequently relates all wildness with positive connotations and the calm and orderly with negative connotations.
By the end of part one there are distinct parallels between JE and WSS that have been drawn, and yet there are already far more differences than similarities. Many of the events of childhood are similar and yet the two characters react in very different ways to them. One example of this is the outlook on religion; Jane attempts to model her character on the Bible and correct herself, whereas Antoinette sees only the hypocritical nature of religion and its parroting fashion of how the prayers for this and that do not chabge anything, and are only words with no meaning behind it. We see, by this point a definite branching of character. In childhood the two girls were as willful as each other, but Jane tries to submiss herself and go against her true nature where Antoinette embraces how and who she is.
The opening of the book very much seems to parallel JE. Rhys mirrors Brontes use of a matter of fact negative tone that very much sets up the mood of the rest of the book. However, where Bronte subdues herself, Rhys only becomes more intense. 'There was no hope in taking a walk that day' 'My father, visitors, feeling safe in bed- all belonged to the past'.
The overriding theme of the first chapter is most certainly the feeling of isolation. However, Antoinette has this on a new level compared to Jane. Not only is she isolated from friends or family, she is also on account of being a poor white Creole, isolated from her identity and her feeling of home. A theme that is brought up which seems far more central than it ever was in JE is that of control. Whereas it is implied in JE it is more apparent in WSS and there are several symbols that portray this which i will discuss in greater depth when i come to Motifs. Other Themes that crop up are the supernatural, naivety and innocence, prejudice and racism, intolerance of other cultures, class and wealth, God and the devil, light and dark.
Antoinettes character is developed very concisely in this section. Isolated during her childhood she becomes an extreme introvert and also a tad neurotic. She becomes very wary of strange or different people holding the view that they don't understand her or life in the Caribbean. As most things in her life are so very out of her control she latches onto the place where she lives as the only everlasting object in her life. Thus she distrusts people and instead immerses herself in the wildness of the landscape.
Many motifs seem to be introduced in this section. Most notably those of repeated use of colour for added emphasis and effect and that of control. Rhys plays around with the use of colour in her characters language, especially the language of the servants which throughout the book seems to be the voice of unutterable truths. 'look the black englishman! look the white niggers!' As well of the use of the colours black and white the colour red is also used copiously mirroring JE, the colour red once more being used to symbolise passion and love. The control appears in many symbols and metaphors. The most obvious and notable of these is the death of Coco the Parrot. As a bird he is a symbol of freedom, and yet Mr Mason has clipped his wings disabling him. So where he appears as if he could fly free if he tries all that happens is that he will consume himself and die in the attempt. This shows control as Coco is no longer even in control of his own survival. Coco is also,i believe, a metaphor for Antoinette who is disabled by her family, her 'wings clipped' by Mr Mason when he married her mother and thus assumed control over her. Antoinette is now at the mercy of Mr Mason who can just as easily leave her behind as Coco leaving her to stumble and crash through existence.
WSS has a most definite sense of place. I think that Place is a far more important feature than it was in JE, mainly as Antoinette attatches herself to her home in a way that Jane never does. In this they are opposites. Jane attatches herself to people and is neither here nor there about place; Antoinette attatches herself to her home and becomes neither here nor there about people or their emotions. Antoinette never truly expands or is ever able to connect with those who do not understanf Coulibri. Adversely Coulibri becomes her yard stick for measuring everywhere else despite the fact that the reader can see how abnormal a place it is to grow up. Antoinette consequently relates all wildness with positive connotations and the calm and orderly with negative connotations.
By the end of part one there are distinct parallels between JE and WSS that have been drawn, and yet there are already far more differences than similarities. Many of the events of childhood are similar and yet the two characters react in very different ways to them. One example of this is the outlook on religion; Jane attempts to model her character on the Bible and correct herself, whereas Antoinette sees only the hypocritical nature of religion and its parroting fashion of how the prayers for this and that do not chabge anything, and are only words with no meaning behind it. We see, by this point a definite branching of character. In childhood the two girls were as willful as each other, but Jane tries to submiss herself and go against her true nature where Antoinette embraces how and who she is.
Thoughts and reflections
The third section is most defintiely the section in which i become most frustrated with jane. After all of her expansion in her view of the owrld she decides to throw it all away and retreat into conformation once more. What is even worse , in my opinion, is that most of the direction in her life that she takes is not her own decision but that of St john. Despite wanting her own independance she desires praise from him so badly that she cannot stand on her own two feet. This is, in fact, one of the main reasons that i do not believe Jane Eyre to be particualry feminist as she willingly submits herself to others in such important matters despite being as intelligent as she is. i wonder if i would think it less of a travesty if Jane was less intelligent... I like the way that the book ends (admittedly some parts are a tad cliche) but it seems a suitable ending for Jane the introvert and Rochester the extrovert to live a life of happy isolation together. And yet, the ending always makes me think more of Janes misfortune in her chosen life out of what could have been, and how she could have been stronger. Perhaps Bronte is making a statement about how restricted even the most brilliant women were in victorian england; but for me Jane Eyre always strikes me as a character who does not find happiness until she conforms to the patriachal society and a patriachal figure, which i find the opposite to feminism.
Friday, October 12, 2007
The Era of the Rivers'!!!!!!!!
Chapter Summary
28. Jane decides to leave Thornfield...Mr R against this
29. Jane traverses the moors and stumbles upon the Rivers'
30. Jane decieves with a false name!!!!!!!!!!!!
31. Jane takes over a school and an uncle is discovered to be dead
32. Talk and speculations of love
33. Jane makes St.John admit he likes Rosamond
34. Jane is found out and finds a fortune and family
35. St.John Proposes
36. Jane says nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
37. Jane leaves for Thornfield and finds it burnt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
38. Mr R and Jane meet again...argue a bit... then happily ever after
39. Reader i married him
Themes
28. Jane decides to leave Thornfield...Mr R against this
29. Jane traverses the moors and stumbles upon the Rivers'
30. Jane decieves with a false name!!!!!!!!!!!!
31. Jane takes over a school and an uncle is discovered to be dead
32. Talk and speculations of love
33. Jane makes St.John admit he likes Rosamond
34. Jane is found out and finds a fortune and family
35. St.John Proposes
36. Jane says nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
37. Jane leaves for Thornfield and finds it burnt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
38. Mr R and Jane meet again...argue a bit... then happily ever after
39. Reader i married him
Themes
- Love and true love
- Family
- Class
- Religion
- Independance and dependance
- Isolation
Character
Jane
Jane tries to run away from her problems. She denies all of her feelings and tries harder in this section of the book to suppress herself than at any other time. She allows herself to be manipulated and told what to do in every aspect of her life.Until she realises that this is no way to live and returns to a kind of equality with Rochester
Rochester
Tries to blow over the problems of society and brush over them by runnning away by trying to pretend that nought has happened. However he is less of a man because of it. When Jane returns he has also realised his mistakes in life and his betrayals which Bronte physicalises through his crippled state.
St.John
Self righteous. He is extremely charitable but is of the opinion that all work is and should be for God rather than that for some this is not the way for everyone and that living for yourself is ok. Described as a Grecian marble statue (i perceive that this construes that St.John is perfect but yet he is as stone, cold and flawless)
Motifs
- Red as a symbol of passion...
- Bland vs exotic
- Hypocrisy
- gothicism and the supernatural
- fire
- passion vs logic
- Blood
Place
This is the section where, i think, place has the most significance of any other part of the book. At the beginning of this section the place changes abruptly where Jane leaves Thornfield and wonders about through many villages filled with dark and dank imagery that emphasise her state of mind. Then Jane arrives at Moor House. Moor House is plain but homely in the same fashion as lowood. It contains the bare essentials for living. This parallels its emotional state also. The Rivers offer the bare essentials of kindness but she does not have the same red intimacy that she had with Mr R. But then Jane returns to Thornfield and find that it has been burned. This symbolises the scorching and ruination of the firery passion of love. Jane then finds Mr R at Ferndean; secluded and peaceful Jane finds her hearts content.
Narrative Voice
Jane becomes far more supressive of her own character once more. All of the imagery that Bronte uses reflects this somewhat. All her surroundings are ordinary, dank, dull and mediocre. It is only when jane returns to Mr R that she becomes herself in language and spirit again.
Interesting Quotes
'I wanted to be weak... and conscience, turned tyrant, held passion by the throat... unsounded depths of agony.' pg 297- jane wrestles with herself- passion vs logic
'...pluck out your right eye, yourself cut off your right hand: your heart shall be the victime...' pg 297
'..my good angel...kindling in pure,powerful flame, fuses you and me into one' Mr R tries to persuade Jane pg 315
'I was experiencing an ordeal: a hand of fiery iron grasped my vitals. Terrible moment: full of struggle, blackness, burning...and him who loved thus i absolutely worshipped: and i must renounce love and idol. One drear word compromised my intolerable duty-'Depart' pg 315
'This was the climax. A pang of exquisite suffering- a throe of true despair- rent and heaved my heart' pg 335 outside the Rivers' door
'Prejudices, it is well known, are most difficult to eradicate from the heart whose soil has never been loosened or fertilised by education' pg 341
'Had he been a statue instead of a man...it was like a Greek face..'pg 344/5
'St john was a good man...he was hard and cold...he lived only to aspire...i comprehended all at once that he would hardly make a god husband... the nature of his love for miss oliver... it was a love of the senses... to stifle and destroy it; how he should mistrust its ever conducing permanently to his happiness or hers...' pg 392
'You are formed for labour not for love' pg 402 the proposal
'I felt his influence in my marrow...' pg 406
'...if you reject it , it is not me you deny, but God.' pg 409
'he stretched his right hand (the left one, the mutilated one, he kept hidden in his bosom)
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Thoughts and Reflections
When jane leaves Thornfield we know that she has reached a turning point. Jane thought she had found all she ever wanted but alas there were cracks and flaws in Rochester that Jane had painted over. As the reader we knew that something of this proportion was coming. The omens could not be ignored or the gothic imagery foreshadowing ill tidings. I find it quite sad that Jane once again goes back to being ultimately pessimistic about life. Jane is overwhelmed with emotions and decides that her only option is to leave her problems behind and begin a new life. In this way we can see that jane has not developed, she cannot fight through her problems, instead she bows down to her depression and chooses to run away from the plight in the same way she simply submitted to Mr Brocklehursts slander of her as the be all and end all and did not consider that she could change others opinions on her own; instead she had to use Miss Temples authority. In this main section of the book we see Jane suppressing her true feeling constantly in order to conform and i believe that this is why Bronte attaches bad luck to jane ( in order to point out that you cannot be happy whilst you are untrue to yourself). In summary The Thornfield era for jane proves to her that Lowood has not prepared her for life and that she must move on and develop in order to become whole and to become an adult.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Thornfield era- socialites, love and politics
Chapter Summary
17. Jane meets Grace and is told that Mr R is away socialising with Blanche and co.
18.The socialites arrive and we are introduced via Jane
19.Mr Mason arrives
20.The gypsy
21.Mr Mason stabbed and does anyone know what is going on with Rochester?
22.Visit to Mrs Reed
23. Jane returns- gossip of Mr R marrying Blanche
24. The proposal
25. Courtship, embellishment and fancy fantasy in Millcote
26. apprehension and omens for the wedding- veil
27. Nearly a wedding and definitely a scandal
Themes
17. Jane meets Grace and is told that Mr R is away socialising with Blanche and co.
18.The socialites arrive and we are introduced via Jane
19.Mr Mason arrives
20.The gypsy
21.Mr Mason stabbed and does anyone know what is going on with Rochester?
22.Visit to Mrs Reed
23. Jane returns- gossip of Mr R marrying Blanche
24. The proposal
25. Courtship, embellishment and fancy fantasy in Millcote
26. apprehension and omens for the wedding- veil
27. Nearly a wedding and definitely a scandal
Themes
- emotional isolation
- guilt and mystery
- appearance vs reality (e.g looks vs personality)
- deception and concealment
- judgement
- threat and violence
- frugality vs frivolity
- omens and superstitions
- suppression and madness
- class and status
Character
Jane
In this section she becomes very critical of herself and starts to compare herself to others. We see her character developed in terms of seeing Jane's place in the world and her place in the class system as a governess.
Mr Rochester
Mr Rochester in this section is very confusing for the reader. His motives and actions become a constant mystery.
Blanche Ingram
As blank and shallow as her name. A truly frivolous personality. She is the typical socialite. Bronte describs her so it is nigh on impossible to like her.
Mr Mason
Another character we know very little about except hints and speculations.
Grace Poole
Her character is greatly expanded in this section. Bronte allows the prejudice against Grace to continue up until they are thrown aside in chapter 27 when she is revealed as the guard and keeper of Bertha.
Bertha Mason
Seen mainly as hints and shadows but materialises in ch 27. We never really meet her. She is more a physical extension of Mr Rochester's hidden and suppressed past. It could also be argued that Bertha is a symbol of the oppression of women and the prejudices against them in the day. It is interesting to see how Bronte classes and describes Bertha through the other characters as Bertha is a foreigner. The prejudice and condescending nature of the comments towards colonialists is interesting to note also.
The Reeds and Bessie
The Reeds and Bessie reappear in this section as Jane is called back to Mrs Reeds deathbed. It is interesting here to see that none of the characters have developed. They stayed stagnate at Gateshead. Jane is the only one to have moved on. A symbol of dysfunction? of resolution?
Motifs
- Gothic imagery
- ghosts, apparitions and omens
- bland vs exoti
- love-friendship, shallow and courtship
- ethereal and fantasy
Place
Still set at Thornfield. However, it seems to take on a far more flamboyant set of description as Jane grows to love it more. The imagery used is that of fantasy and midsummer eves as i supppose Janes life at Thornfield must seem like fantasy compared to gateshead and Lowood.
Narrative Voice
Jane contrasts between being more happy and optimistic aboput life than at any other time and being at a real self deprecating low. She over embelishes the traits of others in order to make herself seem even more plain. On the other hand her love of Thornfield also shows where she uses such exotic imagery. This can also be seen in imagery for Mr R.
Interesting Quotes and phrases
'Tall, fine bust...it contrasted well with the jetty mass of her curls' first description of Blanche pg 159
' That a greater fool than Jane Eyre had never breathed the breath of life: that a more fantastic idiot had never surfeited herself on sweet lies, and swallowed poison as if it were nectar,' pg 160
'... said Miss Ingram, curling her lip sarcastically...'
' Good night, my-' He stopped, bit his lip and abruptly left me' Mr R talking to jane
'I was growing very lenient to my master: i was forgetting all his faults, for which i had once kept a sharp look out.' pg 187
'... whatever aspect it wore, it failed not for seven successive nights to meet me the moment i entered the land of slumber' pg 220
'a splendid Midsummer shone over England: skies so pure...' the proposal setting pg 247
'is this my pale little elf?' pg 258
'He smiled; and i thought his smile was such as a sultan might, in a blissful and fond moment, bestow on a slave his gold and gems had enriched: i crushed his hand, which was ever hunting mine, vigorously, and thrust it back to him red with the passionate pressure' pg 269
'The month of courtship had wasted...' pg 275
'Jane Eyre, who had been an ardent, expectant woman- almost a bride- was a cold, solitary girl again...' pg 295
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Thornfield era- meeting, setting and mystery
Chapter Summary
11. Introduction to life at Thornfield
12. Mystery man falls off horse
13. Jane meets Rochester- interrogation
14. Conversation with Rochester
15. Adele's connection to Rochester explained and FIRE
Themes
11. Introduction to life at Thornfield
12. Mystery man falls off horse
13. Jane meets Rochester- interrogation
14. Conversation with Rochester
15. Adele's connection to Rochester explained and FIRE
Themes
- kindness in unexpected places
- isolation
- foreign places, people and feelings
- ghosts, preternatural
- superiority and inferiority, classes and stations
- love; passionate, false, shallow, friendship
Characters
Jane
Jane is now an adult and her character is now quite different from how she was as a child. She is far more restrained. Almost overtly so to the modern reader. Jane's thoughts are just as passionate and colourful as before but this is no longer reflected in her behaviour. Instead Jane is plain, modest and humble. The perfect model of a Lowood student.
Mrs Fairfax
The housekeeper. Jane sees her as a kind old lady.More of a neccessary character for placing mystery and answering questions than anything else.
Adele
Jane's student. She brings in much energy into the book and is a catalyst for many of Jane and Rochesters conversations.
Mr Rochester
Mr Rochester is introduced as a humbled man. Jane pities him and offers assistance that Mr R has to accept. Jane even mentions that in another context she would have been afraid 'Had he been... i should not have dared to stand thus questioning him against his will, and offereing my services unasked.' He is described as stern, stubborn, unhandsome and has a tendency to interrogate, he seems a tad eccentric or not of the norm. None the less he at least seems to treat Jane fairly (for the times) and eventually affords Jane tenderness, especially after the fire.
Grace Poole
A character of mystery... ghostly associations...a rumoured drunk.
Motifs
- Fire (less in the language and more as a physical symbol- i think this is a symbol that janes emotions are being subdued. Only actual fire rouses her to action)
- Exotic physicalisations in Rochesters furniture.
- Ghosts and gothicism
Place
Thornfield- gothic in its descriptions, suggests inherent mystery. A haven for Jane, but more down to the people who reside within.
Narrative Voice
Jane is just as passionate in her language but is far more subdued in her actions, she no longer acts how she feels. She has become more analytical of situations and tends to go against her instincts. This is particularly evident when she is around Mr R, who is the only person who can excite her inbuilt eccentricities out.
Interesting Phrase
' it was a curious laugh; distinct, formal, mirthless. I stopped: the sound ceased...it passed off in a clamourous peal that seemed to wake an echo in every lonely chamber...' Grace Pooles laugh pg 107
' women are supposed to be very calm generally; but women feel just as men feel; they need....to that they ought to confine themselves...than custom has pronounced necessay for their sex.' feminist outpourings pg 109
'The man, the human being, broke the spell at once...' Supernatural humbleing pg 112 in man falls off horse chapter
'your language is enigmatical, sir: but though i am bewildered, i am certainly not afraid' pg 138 Jane on Rochester
'And was Mr Rochester ugly in my eyes? No, reader...'pg 146
' i tried again to sleep... i was chilled with fear' pg 147 fire chapter
'There was a demioniac laugh... My first impulse was to rise and fasten the bolt; my next, again to cry out ' who is there?'' pg 147 fire chapter
'baptized the couch... and by gods aid, succeeded in extinguishing the flames that were now devouring it' pg 148
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Thoughts and reflections
The chapters thus far have dealt with janes childhood and how it has shaped her growing up. as a child she is passionate, wild, strong of head and knows what she knows. These traits, however, are not desirable and we see them being gradually beaten and indoctrinated out of her by the conformation needs of gateshead(which largely fails) and then the Lowood indoctrination which is far more sucessful (she takes example from those she loves and uses their lives as an example of how to lead her own. I think that the constant contrast we see in Bronte's writing between bleakness and exotic wilderness signify the contrast within Jane of conformity vs non-conformity. It shall be interesting to see how this is reflected in later chapters.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The Lowood Indoctrination...
Chapter Summary
5. Introduction to life at Lowood.
6. Jane meets the holy Helen
7. Mr Brocklehursts deadly visit
8. Nectar and ambrosia healings with Helen and Miss Temple
9. Helens death
10. Moving on
Themes
- Hypocrisy- highlighted by Mr Brocklehurst
- Religion-the contrasts of through Helen and Brocklehurst
- Growing up
- conforming vs non-conforming- a battle inside jane whether to conform for ease or be herslef
Characters
Jane
This section of the book sees many conflicting battles inside jane as she attmepts to discover how to lead her life and in which directions to put her efforts. At the start she is highly emotional and melodramatic but during this section of the novel we see her learning from her experiences and surroundings to tone down her emotions in order to make herself more believeable.
Helen
Helen is a character specific to this section and she is one of the main catalysts of Janes inner developement. Helen becomes Janes best friend and confidant about life and she reveers Helens views. The most notable characteristic of Helen is her religious nature. She lives by the bible and utterly believes that every harsh experience she experiences is for her own good and will help rid her of her faults.This is hard for jane to comprehend who, on several occassions, prevents Helen from carrying on her punishments. An interesting point to look at is Helens name. She has the last name Burns (it is, in fact, how we are introduced to her). I do not think that this was a name chosen by mere whim on Bronte's part. I believe that the religious aspect of her character is reflected through her name, symbolically she is like a holy fire through this part of Janes life which quickly dwindles and burns out until the final snuffing of her spirit. Also, when she is in Miss Temples company she is described as having the powers within her 'kindled'.
Miss Temple
Miss Temple is the first maternal figure of the book. Jane idolises her and this is reflected in the language used to describe her; all the words are holy or angelic. It is interesting that Bronte gives her both these characteristics and the name 'temple', clearly she is attempting to send a very clear message to the reader as to the virtues of Miss Temple.
Miss Scatcherd
As harsh and strict as her name suggests. More of a caricature than a 3D character.
Motifs
- Bland vs exotic continues...
- Fire (holy fire)
- Use of name
Place
Lowood Institution is the setting for these chapters. The bleakness of the accomodation is contrasted with the warmth of the friendship and hospitality inside. This is the opposite of Gateshead where there were many luxuries but no love. Jane learns through Lowood what her priorities in life are.
Narrative Voice
We see the general bleakness of mood lessen as Jane becomes happy in her environment. She becomes colourful more often.
Interesting Quotes
'Let the reader add...refined features...stately air and carriage...Miss Temple'- first description of Miss Temple pg 47
' I could see the title- it was 'Rasselas' a name that struck me as strange and consequently attractive' pg 49
'You say you have your faults...naturally neat, punctual and particular' Helens view on her faults and why Miss Scatchard treats her so pg 56
'She has been unkind to you... life appears to me too short to be spent nursing animosty, or registering wrongs' Helen's views on Mrs Reed and why she dislikes Janepg 58
'Naturally! Yes, but we are not to conform to nature' Mr B on Julias curling hairpg 64
'Helen Burns was not here. Nothing sustained me.' after Mr B's slanderpg 68
'Hush jane! you think too much of thel ove of human beings; you are too impulsive, too vehement' pg 69
'I would not now have exchanged Lowood with all its privations, for gateshead and its daily luxuries' pg 75
'I am very happy... i should have been continuously at fault.' helen on why she is not afraid of death pg 81
'Then' i cried, half desperate, 'Grant me at least a new servitude!'pg 85
'The refreshing meal...they woke kindled...her spirit seemed hastened to live...protracted existence' pg 73
Friday, September 14, 2007
Childhood misery and suppression with the Reeds
Chapter summaries 1-4
Themes
- Janes world is introduced, the themes of the baren winter and the contrast of the colour and texture of the colour red is introduced
- The Red Room
- Illness and the apothecary Mr Lloyd
- Mr Brocklehurst and interrogation
Themes
- Suppression and misery of Janes confinement at the hands of the Reeds
- The colourful wonder and texture of Janes imaginary world in books
- Willfullness/wildness vs bareness or suppression
Characters
Jane
So far we have been introduced to the main narrative voice of jane who we quickly ascertain is extremely intelligent for her age. She has had a tough childhood at the hands of the Reed family, but has grown up rather untamed. She thinks for herself and enjoys persuing the world with her vast imagination, having this fire kindled with the picture books from the Reed's library.
Bessie
Jane's nursemaid. Bessie is described affectionatley by jane and seems to be the closest thing to any maternity in jane's early life.
Mrs Reed
Mrs Reed appears to resent Jane living in her house, it is possible that jane reminds her of her late husband and disslikes a constant reminder of his final kindness towards his niece. She is a detestable character because of her flippant flowery criticisms of jane juxtaposed by her doting on her own children in a sickly sweet manner.
John Reed
Classic bully and aristocratic stereotype. Very spoilt by his mother.
Reed sisters
Eliza and Georgina look set to be spoilt socialites in their futures. They hold the stereotypical characteristics of the socialite.
Mr Lloyd
The apothecary who visits Jane when she is deemed ill from her encounter in the Red Room. A kind but shrewd character, he does not prejudge Jane based on what he hears from Mrs Reed.
Mr Brocklehurst
A harsh pillar of stone. Jane is unable to say anything right as he has already made up his mind about her due to his prior conversation with Mrs Reed. He is a formidable foe to Jane as he is of the same ilk as Mrs Reed.
Motifs
Recurring imagery of the contrast between the exotic texture of the colour red and the baren outside world of winter. This is mirrored by the contrast of wilderness and submission of the female spirit.
Narrative Voice
We see the world from the adult Jane's perspective. As a result we can see a contrast between her more subdued and logical outlook as an adult looking back as opposed to her wilful childhood. However, her emotions are shown through the connotations of the words used to describe events and places. Books and reading scenes are associated with exotic imagination, bright colours and excitement as opposed to the bleak winter of Gateshead and her detestable relations.
Reflections
Thus far jane has proved herself to be extrememly exceptional for her age, paticularly of the victorian era, as she is both wild and wilful where children of this time would ususally by convention be 'seen but not heard'. However, jane ignores these conventions to be herself. Another interesting point is the use of the imagery of both winter and the colour red. I shall look out to see if these particular images crop up again and what they signify overall.
Quotes
'leafless shrubbery... the cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so sombre, and a rain so penetrating, that further outdoor excercise was now out of the question' pg1
'i sat cross legged, like a Turk; and, having drawn the red moreen curtain nearly close, i was shrined in double retirement.' pg2
'folds of scarlet drapery'pg2
'clear panes of glass, protecting but not seperating me from the drear november day.'pg2
'This room was chill....in spite of its grandeur' pg 14 red room
'broken reflections...' pg 14 red room
'all looked colder and darker in that visionary hollow than in reality... i returned to my stool' pg 14 red room
'i was oppressed, suffocated: endurance broke down- i uttered a wild, involuntary cry-...' pg 17 end of red room
'stony stranger..' with regards to Mr Brocklehurst pg 31
'He, for it was a man...' pg 31
'I must keep in good health and not die' pg 32 janes answer as to how to avoid hell
'Ere i had finished this reply, my soul began to expand, to exult, with he strangest sense of freedom, of triumph, i ever felt..' pg 37 after confronting Mrs Reed
'First, i smiled to myslef and felt elate... chill of reaction' pg 37
'something of vengeance i had asted for the first time...as if i had been poisoned' pg 38
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