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book club for june: Jane Eyre
And now I will confess something I am very much ashamed of: I have never read Jane Eyre.
I am now pausing while I can feel your virtual rotten tomatoes smashing into my face. I am sorry. I have never read it. Or at least, not the whole thing. Surely I read enough of it in tenth grade English to get by with a quickie book report. But that’s all.
And is it sad of me that I only now want to read it because the new movie looks so good? And I know Rochester is supposed to be on the homely side, but I have to say, he’s the reason I’m so excited to go see the movie. I suppose if I invest a couple of hours into a movie, I want Rochester to be at least ambiguously handsome. I guess I just like eye candy.
Here is the trailer:
I want to squeeze in reading it before I break down and watch the movie.
And so, this will be our book club book for June.
If you’ve already read it, just be sure to write “SPOILER, WHOLE BOOK” or “SPOILER, CHAPTER 10″ or whatever, and you may begin the discussion. You may feel free to bash me for the first few comments for having not read it. I’ll understand.
If you want to say good things about the movie, go right ahead, but don’t say anything mean about it yet. I want to go into the theater believing it will be amazing.
To start the comments off, I will use a book discussion question I found on the book club page on Penguin.com:
“Rochester’s disastrous marriage to Bertha was based on passion, while St. John refuses to marry Rosamund because of his passion for her. What is Brontë saying about the role passion should play in marriage? ”
For more topics in our discussion, you can find more questions on Masterpiece Theater’s website (though when the refer to “the film,” they’re talking about the 2006 adaptation, starring Ruth Wilson).
And studyguide.org has a set of discussion questions that break it down into chapters.
Feel free to peruse the questions on these sites, come up with your own, or simply talk about whatever comes into your brilliant minds. And don’t hold back on my account. It’s my own fault for not having read the book yet. So let the discussion commence.
And Happy Reading!!
31 Responses to “book club for june: Jane Eyre”
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I first decided to read Jane Eyre during my Classics phase. I really had to push myself through the first few chapters. It was difficult for me to get through her extremely long sentences and writing style. I put myself on a reading schedule, as I had done with Anna Karenina, and by the time she got to Rochester’s I was totally hooked. I cried more during Jane Eyre than any book I’ve read.
Just want to encourage anyone reading it for the first time, it is completely worth your time and effort. I have read it 3 times in total, and I’ve read my favorite parts tons of times. Give it a shot, and soon you won’t be able to put it down.
Have not read it in forever but LOVED the book, one of my favorites! What a good excuse to reread it (since I don’t remember it well enough) and then see the movie. I LOVE the online book club idea! I’ll chime in when I’ve read some of it, sorry I don’t have anything to say til I look it over again! Just wanted to tell you what a great idea this is and I’ll try to read it this month!
Thanks for starting the discussion Christina and ashley mae!
This is my favorite book! I’m so excited to hear your comments when you read it for real! I might tease you for not having read it, but I’ve never read a Jane Austin book, so don’t smash tomatoes in my face either.
Rochester in the new movie is really a highlight, but I liked the BBC’s 2006 version better – sorry, but it’s true! Happy reading!
Yes, Rachel, you’re probably right. I usually think most adaptations of books are better if made by the BBC. Usually. I did like the 2006 version, though I missed the first half. I thought the actress was brilliant.
I do have a good feeling about this film, though—like I won’t detest it like I did with the Keira Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice . . . Let’s hope.
ashley mae—It’s interesting that you said that about a writing schedule. I find that with many of the classics, I have to do the same thing. For example, I try to get through a hundred pages a day, or I give myself a week for certain titles.
That’s how I read War in Peace in about 2 weeks—totally rewarding, by the way.
I think I will give myself a deadline with Jane Eyre, too. I can’t wait.
WHAT?!?! The Keira Knightly version Pride and Prejudice is one of my few favorite movies of all time. Just putting that out there, hahaha. But the new movie for Jane Eyre was FANTASTIC, Mia Wasikowska as Jane was amazing, she fit the feel of the character perfectly for me. And Jamie Bell from Billy Elliot and Nicholas Nickleby played John Rivers, which was a bonus. It was cool to see him in something when he was a bit older. And I tend to like the newer adaptations of the movies, they seem to play out the emotions and feelings of the book rather then just get every single and sometimes monotonous part of the book into it. Because, when you’re watching a movie, you want to FEEL and experience it as well, not just see every part you read.
I totally agree with you, Julia—that the emotions are the important part of an adaptation. Just a side note, I did like the Keira Knightley version of P & P, as far as the cinematography was concerned, and I even liked a few of the actors better. I think I would have run off with that Wickham any day . . . I guess I just didn’t like Charlotte Lucas. She was far too severe, and that line “Don’t judge me!” Makes me so mad . . . like no one understood her character at all . . . Anyway, I like what you said about Jamie Bell. He has been playing the kid in every movie so long, it’s cool to see him play an adult. He’s perfect as St. John.
Love ya, Julia!
One of my favorite books of all time… and I won’t bash you one little bit, Jaime. I might hug you, though, over the sadness of living a life this long WITHOUT having read it. (hehe)
I’ll give the discussion question a bite. I think many of the main characters struggle with passion, romantic or otherwise. Jane getting locked up in the red room, St. John refusing to even make eye contact with Rosamund, Rochester’s disastrous union with Bertha, and even Bertha herself, reduced to a caricature of pure emotion, rage, and passion. I feel that Bronte is presenting passion quite like fire: let it rule you, and you will burn yourself (and others) completely. Ignore it, squash it, and you find yourself consumed from within, tortured, like a pot boiling over. When tended to, controlled, and in the right setting… the fire of passion WITH true love sustains a marriage, making it not just an overriding emotion anymore.
I never read Jane Eyre either. I got the audiobook on MP3 and listened to it in the car last week. Really liked it though it seemed choppy. Turns out I had an abridged version! No wonder!! I’ve since found an unabridged CD set at the library and will listen next week. It will take much longer but I think it will make more sense.
Christi–Honestly, why do people even make abridged versions of anything?? Do they think everyone is stupid? It’s insulting!! Glad you found a good version. Best of luck, and I look forward to your comments.
Anne—I like what you said about passion. It’s really about balance, in so many ways. I hate boiling it down to a cliché like that, but, clichés tend to be around to sum up common themes in the human existence . . .
Anyone want to add to what Anne has said?
After recently seeing the movie here is my basic opinion.
The book is amazing (of course) but give yourself a good 100 pages to get into, it takes awhile.
The movie is AMAZING!
BUT!!! If you read the book and then go watch the movie thereafter, I think you will probably hate it.
It is one of those times that it is good when you can’t remember exactly what happened in the book and aren’t so emotionally attached to the story. But good luck I hope you like it.
I know what you mean, Analise. When Harry Potter 3 came out in the movie theaters, I was so excited to see it, that I read all the books just previous to watching it. The movie ended up being miserable for me. Then, on the other hand, when I saw Prince Caspian, I hadn’t read the book in years, and wasn’t expecting much. I was able to just enjoy the film as it stood. It’s a tricky balance, this whole movie–book business, isn’t it?
Crazy passion… it will just you into trouble:-) I love, love Jane Eyre. I think it’s a crime to force 10th graders to read it. How on earth is a 16 yr old supposed to understand that kind of love?
Wow. The study guide questions are really specific. I may have to read it again.
Okay, everyone. I have broken down, and I am now leaving this comment in the theater, waiting to see . . . Jane Eyre. I saw a brief opportunity where I didn’t have the kids today, so I took it! As I read more of the book, I’ll let you know. Love you all, and I wish we could all watch it here together! xoxoxo
I confess I never read this book either. But being a new reader of your blog and loving what I’ve seen, I decided to give this book a chance. I loved it from the first chapter! Now I’m hoping to pick up the movie.
Oh good! I can’t wait to hear what you think! I just watched the 1996 version and was a little disappointed in it. so it made me appreciate the new one all the more. SO great. I even have a poster I’m going to be putting up in my room. And I read it earlier this school year and I’m a 10th grader, and I absolutely loved it! Not your average romance story. I think what I liked best was that it was a romance between two people who didn’t exactly “fit the mold” for your average perfect couple, but it shows that everyone can be capable of understanding and having true love, no matter how cold or cross (Mr. Rochester) or seemingly quiet and reserved (Jane) they might be. But she softens his heart, and he brings out the best in her and gives her the confidence she lacked before. All in all, a fantastic story. How do these writers come up with such complex and real characters?
I have not read it either. I am so excited about this. Great suggestion!
A woman who cooks AND reads in today’s world is a gem, and your children are blessed. I came here for cake and now you’ve got me thinking I must do more reading. I started a book club in January (we’ve been reading the series of Thomas Cahill) but I would love to put my kindle to further use. How does one participate in your book club?
It’s 1:30 in the morning and I’m so hooked on this book. I downloaded on my kindle, took to the nail salon, started there and just became swept into Jane’s life. What I’m inspired by so far is how feisty (and even with a tad bit of humor) she can describe her early life. The depth of character is riveting. I can’t put it down.
I was up half the night reading Jane Eyre. Oh! I love it so! I’m just at the night before the wedding, so everything is happy and in love. I’m so glad I stopped where I did so I can revel in the innocent love of Jane for Mr. Rochester. I think part of what makes Jane Eyre so great is that she wasn’t seeking love, in fact, she tried to fight it for so long, then she just has to give in! Oh, and I felt such pain for Mr. Rochester last night, couldn’t Jane have given him some sign?
Oh, isn’t a happy scene like that painful that early in a book? When everything is so perfect, and you know you have at least 200 pages left. Even if you didn’t know what was going to happen, you know something will have to keep them apart still. I don’t think anything could be more heart wrenching than sweet little Jane all dressed up for her wedding, and knowing something terrible will have to happen.
It’s perhaps one of the cruelest things an author has ever done to her main character.
Jaime, you never let us know what you thought of the new movie. I really enjoyed the BBC version. I could not catch the movie in my area, but wondered whether it is worth ordering in DVD?
By the way, I realy enjoy your site! Thanks so much! It is a nice respite in my day and I get such good recipies from you. Thanks again!
Susan–Oh, yes! The movie. I liked it . . . but I did catch the tail end of the 2006 BBC version a few years ago. I think the 2006 one might be better. I certainly like the ending better, and I know that the actress who plays Jane is one of my favorite little actresses: Georgie Henley from the Narnia movies.
As it stands, the new one is good, but since they squish it into 2 hours, Mr. Rochester doesn’t have a lot of time to prove himself a lovable character—enough that Jane would fall for him. It’s such a complex story, I think a good 4-6 hours is what it needs.
For anyone interested, you might try Netflix, or a similar site, if you want to see the BBC version. I saw it that way about six months ago.
I was crazy in love with the book and so sad when it ended. About this passion thing, what I’m most taken with is Jane’s ability to have survived such cruelty in life and yet retain her ability to sustain passion. Most people would have had the wind knocked out of their soul and would have an attachment disorder or be the perennial victim. She seemed so cool and confined on the outside and then allowed all her “life blood” to come forward when she fell in love with Rochester, a man her intuition told her she could trust (even with betrayal). His love never chilled for her.
So then, what do we read next? I just downloaded Wilkie Collin’s The Moonstone at a friend’s recommendation.
Good question, Angela. I’d better post the next book! I just put up a survey on facebook actually. Since we don’t have much time left in the month, I thought we’d do one I’ve already read. But I’ll look into Moonstone.
I totally agree with what you said about her strength of character in maintaining her passion. I think that’s why we love her as a heroine. As many times as we see her beaten down, she always gets back up. Always manages to keep her spirit alive.
I’m so sorry to be coming in to this conversation late! I was just introduced to your site through the one-pan cookie in a skillet that my sister of http://www.foodscheming.blogspot.com posted on Facebook. Amazing cookie, by the way!
Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books – the first time I read it, I absolutely HAD to stay up until 3am, reading with a flashlight under my covers because I couldn’t put it down. As for the passion question, I think Charlotte Bronte teaches us about the utter depth of real passion. Mr. Rochester’s “passion” which led to his marriage to Bertha was so weak that I cringe from even calling it a passion. The passion which he had for Jane is enduring, and not even reliant on her response to it. The winning charm of Jane’s inner narration lays bare the strength of character it took for her to leave him, breaking their hearts for something deeper than passion – what to call it? Self-respect? Character? Morality?
I had never read Jane Eyre (or anything else by any Bronte) until…hmmm, must have been 5 or 6 years ago. I started with Jane Eyre and immediately followed it with Wide Sargasso Sea (by Jean Rhys), which is Bertha’s story from her perspective. Normally I’m not into that sort of thing (authors riffing off the work of earlier authors a la Michael Cunningham), but given the weightiness of Jane Eyre in the canon and the fact that we now confront and question issues like colonialism, racism, and white male privilege it seems wrong not to read Wide Sargasso Sea and think more deeply about the circumstances that brought all 3 of JE’s core characters into their predicament. In fact, I’d highly recommend it.
Then I read Wuthering Heights and was blown away. I’d seen an old movie with Merle Oberon in it and based on that always thought the book was a schmaltzy love story. No, no, no. All I can really say about it is that it challenged all of my assumptions about proper English ladies writing books on the heath. What I want to say is that it is more gothic than the Southern Gothic, but I’m not even sure if that means anything. It recalls (in this reader, who first read all these other authors some twenty years ago) all of the depravity of Faulkner, Welty, Flannery O’ Connor, and even Erskine Caldwell. There are no admirable characters in this entire book. Everyone in it behaves terribly (some by being weak or passive, but still). It is amazing. I can’t believe it was written so long ago by someone so apparently isolated.
And then I went in search of the other Bronte: Anne. I read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Again, I was shocked that it was written in Victorian England. It is an amazing feminist novel (not disturbing the way Wuthering Heights is). If you think Jane is a strong character, you will be head over heels for Helen! Read it.
I know it’s not exactly fair to compare Charlotte to her sisters (especially, perhaps, in this context), but, in my brief survey, they do turn out to be the better writers. Wuthering Heights and the Tenant are truly among the most profound and memorable novels I have read. And apparently The Tenant made quite an impact when it was first published in 1848. Too bad Charlotte prevented it from being reprinted after Anne’s death–it’s something we should be forcing (or otherwise influencing) 16-year-olds to read!