The early part of this story is always the hardest part for me to take. The world around poor Jane is so cruel and heartless, and she is abused and mischaracterized so much, that it is hard to imagine going through all that and still have a kind and hopeful heart, as Jane clearly does. One aspect that I see now is that Jane was always a very forthright person, and not always a very politic one. Thus, she would tell you the truth regardless of the implication, even when to do so would challenge the truthfulness of her Aunt. She also is a person of very great inner strength, and is able to go on after the loss of her very dear friend Helen Burns. Her arrival at Thornfield brings her into a number of mysteries which go unanswered. 'Why does the master put up with the dangerous Miss Poole?' ' Why is he always away?' and 'What are his intentions with regards to the beautiful Blanche Ingram?'
I like the fact that Jane is considered a plane woman, and that her interest in Edward Rochester is on a deeper plane, as is his to her, though for the sake of the theater both characters are portrayed by people that are easy for us to watch. Jane's forthrightness comes to the fore when Mr. Rochester asks her if she considers him a handsome man, and her reply of "No sir" delivered without hesitation tickles Mr. Rochester by its honesty and utter lack of discretion. But as I recall, this is no change for Jane, for the same tendencies lead her earlier to be cast out from the home she was being raised in and lead Jane to having to stand with a sign with the word "Liar" written on it.
The early part of this story is always the hardest part for me to take. The world around poor Jane is so cruel and heartless, and she is abused and mischaracterized so much, that it is hard to imagine going through all that and still have a kind and hopeful heart, as Jane clearly does. One aspect that I see now is that Jane was always a very forthright person, and not always a very politic one. Thus, she would tell you the truth regardless of the implication, even when to do so would challenge the truthfulness of her Aunt. She also is a person of very great inner strength, and is able to go on after the loss of her very dear friend Helen Burns. Her arrival at Thornfield brings her into a number of mysteries which go unanswered. 'Why does the master put up with the dangerous Miss Poole?' ' Why is he always away?' and 'What are his intentions with regards to the beautiful Blanche Ingram?'
ReplyDeleteI like the fact that Jane is considered a plane woman, and that her interest in Edward Rochester is on a deeper plane, as is his to her, though for the sake of the theater both characters are portrayed by people that are easy for us to watch. Jane's forthrightness comes to the fore when Mr. Rochester asks her if she considers him a handsome man, and her reply of "No sir" delivered without hesitation tickles Mr. Rochester by its honesty and utter lack of discretion. But as I recall, this is no change for Jane, for the same tendencies lead her earlier to be cast out from the home she was being raised in and lead Jane to having to stand with a sign with the word "Liar" written on it.
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