What a wild ride that was. Admittedly, I don’t read many classics. I love Contemporary stories and prefer contemporary language for ease of escapism purposes, but I did love Jane Eyre. It’s an epic story with many modern parallels, which I didn’t expect.
I’m also thrilled to finally have the opportunity to use one of my favourite Friends’ quotes in a review:
Rachel: “Uh, thank you Phoebe. Umm, well, what struck me most when reading Jane Eyre was uh, how the book was so ahead of its time.”
The Teacher: “If you’re talking about feminism, I think you’re right.”
Rachel: “Yeah, well, feminism yes, but also the robots.”
Obviously there are no robots, but I was struck by the strength of mind Jane has and her role in female empowerment at a time way before the suffragette movement – I mean, (amongst other things) she saves Rochester’s life, chooses dignity over love and is super generous with her inheritance – she’s a true heroine comparable to any of modern times.
But as his wife—at his side always, and always restrained, and always checked—forced to keep the fire of my nature continually low, to compel it to burn inwardly and never utter a cry, though the imprisoned flame consumed vital after vital—this would be unendurable.
The underlying themes of oppression and misogyny also highlight the plight of women during the era and I feel these are much stronger elements than the love story itself and Jane’s ability to see through all of this is wonderful. For instance there is a suggestion that a woman’s desire for love shouldn’t impede her sense of self.
I love a strong female lead and Jane Eyre is certainly that!
Genre: classics / romance / gothic
Rating: 5/5⭐️
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