And if I can gain the public ear at all, I would rather whisper a few wholesome truths therein than much soft nonsense.
~ Preface to the second edition of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë
Monday, January 23, 2006
What is wrong with Jane?
I've had another yet another response to this question from bored dominatrix. I do love this discussion. Here's the link to the post and comments if anyone is interested.
Hi Frankengirl! I also like Jane Eyre because of those very contradictions :) It makes it all the more open to discussion.
hmm..yes, I do see how she could be considered a snob in certain circumstances. But this is what makes her universal too and there's plenty about human nature (and our very selves) that we can cricize and but also esteem.
As for Jane's vanity, I do think she is concerned about how others view her because she knows how much the world around her is obsessed with superficial charms. Because someone like Rochester is so rare to find (even nowadays), until Jane can accept that there are other people out there who don't place weight on superfical appearance, the fact that she is unconventional (including "plain")will be branded in her.
In the same way that I mentioned how Hannah (the servant) represses her own class (the destitue Jane), it is interesting, like you said, to note that Jane too does the same. I do believe however, that Jane, had she been Hannah, would have acted with much more kindness. It is true that Jane has her share of prejudices, but kindness is a virtue to be much treasured in her, something that Hannah lacked (at least in the beginning). And I agree, no one is without prejudice of some sort or another.
As for Education as privilege debate, I think we are in no danger of being removed from it. It will follow us wherever we go ;)
Mysticgypsy--I agree with Frankengirl--I really like your analysis of Jane's reaction to the gipsy. Very convincing, and opens up all kinds of complexities throughout the text.
2 comments:
Hi Frankengirl!
I also like Jane Eyre because of those very contradictions :) It makes it all the more open to discussion.
hmm..yes, I do see how she could be considered a snob in certain circumstances. But this is what makes her universal too and there's plenty about human nature (and our very selves) that we can cricize and but also esteem.
As for Jane's vanity, I do think she is concerned about how others view her because she knows how much the world around her is obsessed with superficial charms. Because someone like Rochester is so rare to find (even nowadays), until Jane can accept that there are other people out there who don't place weight on superfical appearance, the fact that she is unconventional (including "plain")will be branded in her.
In the same way that I mentioned how Hannah (the servant) represses her own class (the destitue Jane), it is interesting, like you said, to note that Jane too does the same. I do believe however, that Jane, had she been Hannah, would have acted with much more kindness. It is true that Jane has her share of prejudices, but kindness is a virtue to be much treasured in her, something that Hannah lacked (at least in the beginning). And I agree, no one is without prejudice of some sort or another.
As for Education as privilege debate, I think we are in no danger of being removed from it. It will follow us wherever we go ;)
Mysticgypsy--I agree with Frankengirl--I really like your analysis of Jane's reaction to the gipsy. Very convincing, and opens up all kinds of complexities throughout the text.
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