EyreReadalong

Jane Eyre | Charlotte Brontë

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#eyrereadalong
The last chapter is pretty much an epilogue, letting us know how things turned out for all the characters. I felt like it was a little too perfect (Rochester even gets some of his sight back??) But I'm happy for Jane, she deserves a happy ending. What are your overall thoughts of the book? It's not gonna be a new favorite of mine, but I'm glad I reread it. @suvata @megnews @Kdgordon88 @ATB @Levana

megnews Yes, a little too tidily wrapped up. Though I can‘t quite see how she is, if Jane‘s happy, I‘m happy for her. I hadn‘t read this in such a long time, I‘d forgotten much of it and I was much younger when I read it. It seemed more romantic then. Not so much now. Glad I reread it though. Thank you for hosting! 3y

peanutnine @megnews yes definitely not as romantic as everyone makes it out to be, imo. Rochester is too flawed for my tastes. Thanks for joining me in reading and discussing! â˜ºï¸ 3y

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peanutnine

Jane Eyre | Charlotte Brontë

#eyrereadalong ch36-37
@suvata @megnews @Kdgordon88 @ATB @Levana
Jane returns to Thornfield and finds that it has been burned by Bertha, who kills herself when Rochester tries to save her from the fire.
Do you think there is any significance of Bertha starting the fire in Jane's bed? What do you think of the concept of Rochester's subsequent injuries as punishment for his sins? â¬‡ï¸

peanutnine Jane reunites with Rochester and seems to love him even more now that he is vulnerable. The power dynamic has changed between them and she now has more agency in the relationship, but do you think she is sacrificing anything by being with him?
And then the mysterious voice... what do you think it's purpose is to the story? Does it add any value? 3y

megnews Oh I definitely think Bertha knew enough of what was going on to set Jane‘s bed on fire on purpose. I don‘t really think that‘s how God works in regards to his injuries as punishment. Jane seems to be sacrificing a lot to be with Rochester in that I think she deserves better, her equal in decency. But who can tell someone they love to stop loving? No one. 3y

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megnews

Jane Eyre | Charlotte Brontë

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I read this many times as a younger person and it‘s been many years since the last time I read it. Jane Eyre is complicated, more so than I recalled. I‘m thankful for @peanutnine for hosting the #eyrereadalong. Otherwise, I might not have found an opportunity to get back to this classic.

peanutnine Thanks for reading along with me! I've enjoyed our discussions ðŸ˜Š 3y

batsy I love that cover! 3y

megnews @batsy I was reading this on kindle library loan over a few months‘ time. There were many covers to choose from but I had to opt for a more old fashioned looking one for Jane Eyre rather than the many modernized choices. ðŸ˜Š 3y

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peanutnine

Jane Eyre | Charlotte Brontë

#eyrereadalong Ch34-35
Anyone else want to scream while reading these chapters? I'm interested to hear your thoughts on St John, his character and manipulation of Jane.
Why do you think she submits to his pressure as she does? She admits that obeying him took away a part of herself yet she continues to do his bidding. And she is so heartbroken when he is cruel to her after her refusals of his proposal. â¬‡ï¸

peanutnine Jane's relationship with religion has changed gradually throughout the book. How do you think her view of it now is affecting her decisions? What do you make of the voice on the wind calling for Jane? Supernatural or imagined? @suvata @megnews @Kdgordon88 @ATB @Levana 3y

megnews Yes! And keep them apart so he couldn‘t manipulate her. If he wants to call something sin he can call his manipulation that. I don‘t know about the voice or have any deep thoughts. I spent the two chapters too aggravated with St John. Quit prolonging your trip, sir! 3y

suvata St John and Rochester are cut from the same cloth. They both drive me crazy. ðŸ¤¬ (edited) 3y

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peanutnine @suvata I mean, I'm not a fan of Rochester, and they're both manipulative, but I honestly think St John is worse. He forces Jane to change who she is to gain his approval. At least Rochester admires her for her true character 3y

peanutnine @megnews yes, just leave already! Thank goodness for Diana. She had no qualms about calling her brother an idiot and sticking up for Jane 3y

suvata @peanutnine Now, that‘s something I can agree with. Rochester is definitely the lesser of two evils. ðŸ˜† 3y

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peanutnine

Jane Eyre | Charlotte Brontë

#eyrereadalong ch31-33
Jane settles into her role as a school teacher but still grieves for Rochester. St John is enamored by Rosamond Oliver, the school's benefactor, and she is equally in love with him. Jane tries to convince him to marry her but he claims she wouldn't be a suitable wife for his missionary lifestyle. Finally, he reveals to Jane that he figured out her identity because they are cousins and he was contacted to help find her â¬‡ï¸

peanutnine so she can inherit their uncle's money. She is adamant that she will split the money equally between the four cousins. @suvata @megnews @Kdgordon88 @ATB @Levana How do you feel about St John's attitude towards Rosamond? Would you share the inheritance if you were Jane? 3y

megnews St John might very well be right that Rosamond isn‘t cut out for the missionary life. But how can he know without talking with her? I may have split it but probably not in fourths. 3y

peanutnine @megnews yeah I hate that he acts like he knows better than her without even having that conversation. And then when he gets his part of the inheritance, he could just stay and be with her instead of being a missionary since he seems to think that life wouldn't suit her. But he wants the glory of it I guess. Rosamond deserves better 3y

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peanutnine

Jane Eyre | Charlotte Brontë

#eyrereadalong Ch28-30
Jane wanders homeless and hungry, until she is taken in by the Rivers family. She bonds with the sisters Diana and Mary, and is puzzled by St John. He offers her a position as a school teacher in the local village that Jane accepts.
@suvata @megnews @Kdgordon88 @ATB @Levana
What do you make of the characters' attitudes toward poverty? Why do you think Jane keeps her identity a secret? Do you think her new job will suit her?

megnews I think there used to be an attitude or even belief that poverty was contagious and sinful and you‘d done something wrong to be poor and therefore people didn‘t want to be around it. I think this is how the housekeeper reacted. I think Jane kept her identity a secret so Rochester can‘t find her, so she can make a clean break. I think Jane would be amazing at this job. 3y

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peanutnine

Jane Eyre | Charlotte Brontë

Ch27 #eyrereadalong
Rochester finally tells Jane the whole story of his marriage to Bertha and tries to convince her to stay with him as his mistress. Jane is resolved to leave him despite his violent mood swings ? She sneaks away from Thornfield in the morning.
@suvata @megnews @Kdgordon88 @ATB @Levana
This is the most "romantic" chapter so far in terms of Rochester expressing how much he has always loved Jane but it's also pretty problematic

megnews I feel Jane is right to plan to leave but feel bad for Rochester doomed to loneliness. Even though the focus is Rochester, the chapter revealed more of Jane‘s character. Is it possible to be mature and naive at the same time? And then I feel for Jane, planning to leave with no plan and penniless? She‘s resilient but I worry for her. 3y

peanutnine @megnews I agree. The way she manipulates Rochester when he gets upset is pretty badass. But she definitely still acts a bit naive. I almost wish she had asked for her wages and taken more before she left but I get that it would have been a battle with Rochester to leave if he knew she was serious. 3y

suvata I agree, it is a very romantic chapter. But I still say after this far into the book, I am having a really hard time liking Mr. Rochester. His social skills are more than creepy. 3y

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peanutnine @suvata yeah, I want to like him because he obviously loves Jane and I know they'll end up together but it's just so hard to. He goes about everything in the worst ways 3y

suvata @peanutnine Yes, it‘s a difficult book for me because I love Jane but I really don‘t like Rochester not even at the end. I really can‘t put my finger on it. In Pride and Prejudice I hated Darcy in the beginning but loved him by the end. I know I am talking about two different authors and two different types of stories but I just want all my Victorian/Georgian men to be more like Mr. Darcy. LOL 3y

peanutnine @suvata ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ I'm with you there! He's the epitome of great character growth 3y

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peanutnine

Jane Eyre | Charlotte Brontë

This post contains spoilers

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#eyrereadalong Ch 25-26
Jane and Rochester's wedding is stopped when it is revealed that he is already married and his wife lives in the attic at Thornfield! Bertha has been the one behind all the mysterious, sinister behavior. She is described as a madwoman who only wants to attack Rochester. He was willing to become a bigamist with Jane because he can have no real relationship with his actual wife.

peanutnine @suvata @megnews @Kdgordon88 @ATB @Levana Do you think Rochester's behavior is acceptable? He plays himself as the victim in his marriage with Bertha. There are many theories as to what Bertha represents in relation to Jane. What are your thoughts on her character? 3y

megnews Never acceptable to commit bigamy (in Rochester‘s culture). We don‘t know the cause of Bertha‘s insanity. While we marry in sickness and health, I feel bad for Rochester to the degree he may be consigned to a life of loneliness not of his own making. He should know & respect Jane well enough to come forward with this information before now and share his dilemma. 3y

ATB Agreed @megnews she should have been informed upon hire of the situation in the house. Oh the perils of being a second son in the 18th century. 3y

suvata @peanutnine Bertha is a very complex character. Sometimes I feel like she became â€œmadâ€œ because she was locked in an attic for 10 years. I don‘t know how she was when Rochester first brought her to England. Of course, I am very suspicious of Rochester. He really is not of good character. 3y

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peanutnine

Jane Eyre | Charlotte Brontë

#eyrereadalong Ch 23-24
Jane and Rochester finally are engaged! What did you think about his proposal?
Jane is very much against being treated any differently and rebuffs his attempts to spoil her and spend all their time together. I think this says a lot about her character.

@suvata @megnews @Kdgordon88 @ATB @Levana

megnews I haven‘t finished yet. Will be back to answer when I have. 3y

megnews Finally finished. Meh. I don‘t care for the proposal. I agree it shows her character. Still, I wouldn‘t mind being spoiled after the austere life she‘s lived. Now on to the next two chapters! 3y

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peanutnine

Jane Eyre | Charlotte Brontë

#eyrereadalong ch21-22
Jane is called back to Gateshead! John Reed has died. Mrs. Reed has fallen ill and asks to see Jane. There is a lot of family, specifically sibling, dynamics and Mrs. Reed tells Jane her sins against her. Jane forgives her but she dies still hating Jane. Mr. Rochester is affected by Jane's leaving and absence; everyone is pleased on her return. Jane accidentally reveals a bit of her feelings to Rochester.

peanutnine @suvata @megnews @Kdgordon88 @ATB @Levana I enjoyed these two chapters and I have a lot of thoughts but what were your first impressions of the events? 3y

megnews This is a turning point in the book for me. It seems some justice is finally done. Some wrongs righted. It wouldn‘t have felt right to not know how things end up for the Reeds. And didn‘t it all end up how you‘d imagine for each of them? It feels like Jane is unstuck now with some closure on that part of her life. 3y

peanutnine @megnews yes I definitely agree that it was nice to see how the Reeds turned out. It was satisfying knowing that no one got along with one another and they were pretty miserable. I just wish that Jane hadn't forgiven Mrs. Reed so easily, especially since she was still so cruel to her until the end 3y

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ATB I have mixed feelings about this chapter. I‘m surprised that she went running back so easily. But maybe it was because Betsyâ€˜s husband came versus somebody else. I also find it interesting that she‘s so willing to hang out there and help the sisters on their way. I would never have been that forgiving. 3y

peanutnine @ATB ugh yes the sisters are so needy! Although I did think it interesting that in the end they liked Jane more than they did each other 3y

ATB @peanutnine great point. 3y

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