Old school chick lit, vol. 5
I started reading this baby over a month ago, and I devoured the final 150 pages today. (I am so worn out.)
Jane Eyre narrates her life story, beginning as a young child of 10 who is staying with relatives of her deceased parents. Her cousins torment her and her aunt makes it clear how much she despises the strong-willed and spirited Jane, eventually sending her off to a stern boarding school. While there, Jane finds friends in both students and teachers, and survives the six years to become a teacher at the school. When she feels she must leave, she finds employment as a governess (a baby-sitter/teacher) to Adele, the doll-like adopted daughter of the mysterious Mr. Rochester. Once Jane settles in, life becomes blissful and worry-free; once Rochester expresses intense interest in her - everything the man does has some intensity - Jane's feelings for him grow and strengthen. Soon they are both equally fascinated by one another's intelligence, expression, and feeling. Jane remains sensible about the odds of her master asking for her hand in marriage, and a visit from a large party of upperclass snobs - including the beautiful and calculating Miss Ingram - only seems to confirm that Jane's dreams have no hope of coming true. But all is not as it seems with Rochester, as Jane will learn to her delight and, later, to her horror. Meanwhile, a surprise awaits Jane as to the full reveal of her parentage ... and family she has never known.
What struck me first, and has stayed with me the longest, was the character of Jane: how wonderfully straightforward, courageous, flawed, stubborn, and modern she is. She's downright cool. She has such a strong sense of justice - not just for herself, but for others - and while taking care of herself is her first priority, she never comes across as selfish. She's straight and direct at all times, both in the novel and to the reader. She has a keen sense of religion and abiding by God, knowledgeable about her own goodness even while those around her either put her down or are convinced of her "inherent evil." Jane is what makes this book. Her joys, her journeys, her tragedies all seem to serve to make her stronger - and the best part is, it allows her to make it on her own terms. She has a will and an independence to rival Scarlett's, which she honors by leading a life largely devoted to helping others.
The story itself was a bit harder to get through - for such a lifelike and relatable main character, Bronte has really created a kind of proto-soap opera. That isn't to say it's bad or off-putting, exactly; indeed, the death of one of Jane's closest friends is affecting and helps to explain Jane's character growth. The scenes with Jane and Rochester are, in their own way, romantic if very slightly creepy - not because of the age difference, but more because of their obvious intensity and Rochester's perturbed mind. Jane is presented with two suitors, both of which fail to fully give her what she desires - which is not to say she doesn't find it difficult to reject them. Although there are many hardships to endure, Bronte gives Jane a most happy ending that fully satisfies the reader.
A truly rewarding classic. Rating: 5 portraits out of 5.