I'm taking a break from Persepolis to indulge in a light and frivolous read- Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte. The book is told from the first person point of view of Jane, a young orphan girl who lives with her rich aunt and cousins. Jane is neglected and unloved by her aunt and cousins, who soon send her to be educated at a strict Christian boarding school.
The headmaster of the boarding school is a man named Mr. Brocklehurst- let me just say this: I HATE HIM! He practically starves the girls because he wants them to learn to live as Christ's disciples did- poorly and primitively; even though their bodies my hunger, their souls will be nourished in this type of environment. The truth of the matter is that Brocklehurst is greed and wants to save money; his wife and daughters dress in lavish clothes and are well fed.
At this point in the book, Jane has made a friend at the school, a slight but brilliant girl named Helen Burns. Helen is often persecuted by teachers at the school, but she teaches Jane to bear the punishment with dignity and love. As Helen says "love the criminal, abhor the crime". Helen is an endearing character, but Jane frequently mentions that she has a hollow cough. At this time tuberculosis was an epidemic in England, and if someone had a cough such as Helen's, it their death from the disease was almost certain.
Ms. Shank,
ReplyDeleteMy concern at this point is that Jane's friend may develop that terrible disease. If so, what happens to their relationship?
Mrs. Bradley,
ReplyDeleteJane's friend, Helen, just died in Jane's arms. End of that relationship...
I actually found it a bit creepy that Helen died while being held by Jane...I mean waking up with a corpse is a bit nightmarish, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThats upsetting, so does this mean that Jane is now... alone?
ReplyDeletethis book sounds very good. it sad about what the man does. this book is very sad book. are you done with it?
ReplyDeleteI want to read this book. Well after I finished my book.
ReplyDeleteHistory books are really good. I read the series about King Henry. I also read the book "Cane River" It was Really Really good. I'm thinking about reading it 2morrow
Jane is alone the sense that her best friend has died; however, she still has other acquaintances at the school, and she's very close to the headmistress, Miss Temple.
ReplyDeleteI'm not even CLOSE to being done with this book! The book jumped ahead ten years. Jane finished her studies at Lowton and served as a teacher there for two years before taking a position as a governess for a man named Mr.Rochester. A budding romance is about to ensue- I'm not sure how I feel about all that though.
This book sounds interesting. Why do you think the teacher or whatever wants to save money? Do you think that since the girls are being treated this way that something bad is going to happen?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds a lot like Cinderella. With her Aunt rich and them hating her. What do you think will happen of Jane when she leaves the school?
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