hey! by the way, I think this is a great idea. My favorite has always been Jane Eyre and I just finished reading it for a third time. I think that the journey and choices she makes are an example of reason in fits of passion. I was disappointed when a current professor started saying that the book is anti-Christian because of the various Christian figures she criticizes (her headmaster, her cousins). I do agree that she crticizes certain approaches to Christianity and fanaticism and that Bronte herself was not a believer in Catholicism, but Jane's choices show anything but faithlessness.
I don't think I did justice to Jane there but I'd love any comments about the topic discussed or anything else. I'll think of other books as they come. =)
Hey Sarah, Can you point out some concrete examples? I know you told me already the relationship between Jane and Helen. The thing is, my professor didn't really teach it in a religious context. She taught it in two interpretive modes: the emergence of female authorship and the equalizing of genders (at the end, Jane is taking care of Rochester, and they are supported by her money> inverted gender roles), and she also taught it through Imperialism, namely looking at the imperial language used throughout (Rochester often calls her "little elf," he pretends like he'll send her to Ireland... he uses words borrowed from descriptions of the colonies and their practices to describe Jane and therefore, in his mind, is trying to make her inferior to him). I suppose both of these modes have the broader power struggle thing going on... and actually I suppose they merge in the whole "sutee" thing...
Lastly, there's only one thing I can remember that sort of runs with what you're saying. Jane is often resisting Rochester's objectification of her. When he lied to her about marrying Blanche, she says "Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! I have as much soul as you,-- and full as much much heart!... I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh-- it is my spirit that addresses your spirit..." And then she resists when Rochester tries to make her an ornament with the wedding dress and all that. Anyway, I personally am always a fan of having more than one interpretive mode for things- makes it much more rich and interesting! Maura
For such a dramatic statement, it's funny that it rhymes.
ReplyDeleteWhat things have people been reading (either in the far or recent past) of interest? namely the things that have blown you out of the water?
...and why? (of course)
ReplyDeletealso, i realize my initial comment could be read with the wrong tone- I don't mean it to be nasty!
hey! by the way, I think this is a great idea. My favorite has always been Jane Eyre and I just finished reading it for a third time. I think that the journey and choices she makes are an example of reason in fits of passion. I was disappointed when a current professor started saying that the book is anti-Christian because of the various Christian figures she criticizes (her headmaster, her cousins). I do agree that she crticizes certain approaches to Christianity and fanaticism and that Bronte herself was not a believer in Catholicism, but Jane's choices show anything but faithlessness.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I did justice to Jane there but I'd love any comments about the topic discussed or anything else. I'll think of other books as they come. =)
this is sara zweig by the way
ReplyDeleteHey Sarah,
ReplyDeleteCan you point out some concrete examples? I know you told me already the relationship between Jane and Helen. The thing is, my professor didn't really teach it in a religious context. She taught it in two interpretive modes: the emergence of female authorship and the equalizing of genders (at the end, Jane is taking care of Rochester, and they are supported by her money> inverted gender roles), and she also taught it through Imperialism, namely looking at the imperial language used throughout (Rochester often calls her "little elf," he pretends like he'll send her to Ireland... he uses words borrowed from descriptions of the colonies and their practices to describe Jane and therefore, in his mind, is trying to make her inferior to him). I suppose both of these modes have the broader power struggle thing going on... and actually I suppose they merge in the whole "sutee" thing...
Lastly, there's only one thing I can remember that sort of runs with what you're saying. Jane is often resisting Rochester's objectification of her. When he lied to her about marrying Blanche, she says "Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! I have as much soul as you,-- and full as much much heart!... I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh-- it is my spirit that addresses your spirit..." And then she resists when Rochester tries to make her an ornament with the wedding dress and all that.
Anyway, I personally am always a fan of having more than one interpretive mode for things- makes it much more rich and interesting!
Maura
sorry, i mean Sara. lol
ReplyDelete