#727 You might be in trouble in a musical if:
You hear things in the night.
(Jane Eyre)
It is a very strange sensation to inexperienced youth to feel itself quite along in the world; cut adrift from every connection, uncertain whether the port to which it is bound and can be reached, and prevented by many impediments from returning to that it has quitted. The charm of adventure sweetens that sensation, the glow of pride warms it; but then the throb of fear disturbs it; and fear with me became predominant when half an hour elapsed, and still I was alone.
Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre (via crookednostalgia)
Reasons not to watch Jane Eyre with my mother
- Ma: You're so much like Mr Rochester in this; snarky and miserable.
- ML: ...
- ML: Thanks.
Sexual Equality in Jane Eyre
In Jane Eyre, Bronte presents to us a character ultimately relatable across time. Jane is an underdog. Though is she well educated within her means, and has a perfectly suitable job as a governess, she is unsatisfied with the limits society has imposed on her life. She has dreams, desires, and wanderlust unique to those who dread living within the bonds of what is appropriate for their role. Mr. Rochester, Jane’s employer, also attempts to live outside of the restrictions placed around him. Through Mr. Rochester and Jane’s interaction and relationship, we can clearly witness the argument for equality among the sexes.
Both Mr. Rochester and Jane refer to the other as supernatural and otherworldly creatures upon their first meeting. The encounter sets up the scene that pair is not falling within the “natural” order of their society. By being referred to as supernatural creatures, which exist in our world but are not from it, Bronte is illustrating the fact that both characters function in Victorian society but do not fully agree to follow the terms set by it. The characters are not seen as beautiful or handsome, but possess personalities that are pleasant (or at least acceptable on Mr. Rochester’s part), another highlight to the conclusion that they are matched and each other’s equal. Furthermore, in their following interactions, Jane and Mr. Rochester converse as equals, despite their differences in class and wealth, and the fact that Jane is an employee.
Jane is wholly honest and truthful, and Mr. Rochester conveys his vulnerability to Jane, telling her things he hasn’t told anyone else, things society says should never be repeated to anyone, much less a governess. He is as honest with her as he is capable of being under the guise of mystery. Mr. Rochester is also conscious of Jane’s opinions and thoughts, as Jane is conscious of his, and their conversations often revolve around their beliefs. Jane herself presents a clear and passionate argument against the limitations of her sex, and Mr. Rochester is receptive to it; this receptiveness coming from a man underlines the point that feminism is not an attack on men and masculinity but a leveling of the playing field, a relief from limitations imposed on both sides.
With these conversations, and by having two characters that are similar and complementary, characters that grow fond of each other, Bronte is showing that is it is fact possible for men and women to be equal, that they should be considered equal. Despite their differences in society, Jane is found to be an equal match to Mr. Rochester, at least in temperament and behavior. This in itself is the tenet of feminism: equality and matching of the sexes.
I was reading on my school field today and somebody (AN IDIOT) said to me, “What’re you reading?” - and I said, “Jane Eyre” and they went “Ugh”.
Then I was all “Why Ugh?”
“Its so boring and out of date”
“Have you read it?”
“No”THEN YOU KNOW NOTHING. HOW CAN YOU SAY A BOOK IS BORING BECAUSE IT IS OLD? OR “OUT OF DATE” - THAT IS THE DUMBEST THING EVER. I HATE MORONS.
I’ve just finished Jane Eyre.
MY FEELINGS. I’m here and I just hkjefuhdsfmnbfh, so so perfect! I’m totally in love with Edward Fairfax Rochester! I ship it. I ship everything in this book. Can I ship Pilot and Carlo?
At first I was sad, then it turn out happy with Helen, then I was sad again, and again, and again, and then happy things happen. But fuck, this book was really written by Charlotte Brontë?! Sure it wasn’t Moffat?
Great. Extraordinary. Amazing. And… and…
I have to watch the movie right now. Where can I find it? Oh, and, what’s the name of this shipping? Janedward? Janward? Oh, god, there must be a fandom out there! Here I come!
Today I watched three amazing period films with three astounding women. It has been a good day.
The ground was hard, the air was still, my road was lonely: I walked fast till I got warm, and then I walked slowly to enjoy and to analyse the species of pleasure brooding for me in the hour and situation. It was three o’clock; the church bell tolled as I passed under the bellfry: the charm of the hour lay in its approaching dimness, in the low-gliding and pale-beaming sun. I was a mile from Thornfield, in a lane noted for wild roses in summer, for nuts and blackberries in autumn, and even now possessing a few coral treasures in hips and haws, but whose best winter delight lay in its utter solitude and leafless repose. If a breath of air stirred, it made no sound here; for there was not a holly, not an evergreen to rustle, and the stripped hawthorn and hazel bushes were as still as the white worn stones which causewayed the middle of the path. Far and wide, on each side, there were only fields, where no cattle now browsed; and the little brown birds, which stirred occasionally in the hedge, looked like single russet leaves that had forgotten to drop.
Charlotte Bront, Jane Eyre (via princessnymeria)
‘Do you doubt me?’ ‘Entirely!’
I love this part of Jane Eyre so much, because it isn’t just a young woman swooning at a rich man’s feet. Jane makes her own decisions, and is completely independent: the opposite of the stereotypical damsel-in-distress type heroine. I love Jane Eyre!
