It’s lovely to go back to ranting about Twilight again. I hope I haven’t lost my touch.
While researching the subject of “Mary-Sue” on the internet, I’ve seen readers compare Jane Eyre to Bella Swan from Twilight (unfortunately), such as both females feeling ostracized from society and their unusual relationships with their brooding Edwards. The funny thing is that some of these readers seem so shocked that such a coincidence could occur. I am not surprised since the author of Twilight claimed to make many romantic references in her books.
I confess I am guilty that the thoughts of some of the similarities occurred to me: the dreary atmospheres and Mr. Rochester and “young” (I’m not quite sure how the age would add up in vampire years) Mr. Cullen share the same first name. However, nothing could be further from the truth.
Jane Eyre is portrayed as plain and unattractive by herself and others as well, even her darling Mr. Rochester, while Bella views herself as unattractive, but considering the number of suitors and hungry predators she has gathering about her, one can surmise that either she is a blind fool lacking confidence or is a pretty Swan (excuse the pun) surrounded by fools with superficially attracted to Bella’s “beauty. One may never know for sure.
One huge difference is that Jane is an orphan who pines for a loving family since her cruel relatives isolated her as a child and made her feel like an outsider, despite young Jane desperately wanting to belong. Bella has a loving family and outsiders willing to be her friends, yet she’s willing to foolishly throw it all away for a brooding teenage brat who lacks a sense of humour and sparkles in the sunlight. In other words, Bella is a blind, selfish twit who has no consideration for anyone except herself and her darling Edward whom she is convinced is the only one who could truly love (when she has loving family and many suitors with their tongues hanging out of their mouths) In Jane’s case, Mr. Rochester is the first to truly see Jane’s redeeming qualities and so she becomes a devoted friend and admirer of his, however she still retains her spirit and independence (the only things that kept her going in absence of love) and consideration for many others around her as well.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Jane Eyre
I absolutely love this story and the heroine even more so. It's wonderful to witness a heroine with such alacrity and homeliness, vulnerable strength, unattractive beauty, etc. It's certainly not the best piece of literature, however I cannot help, but be drawn to the mix of gothic romance and an inspiring heroine- a rare combination: the star-crossed romance with the brooding lover has been repeated time and again in countless chick-flicks, but sadly without as interesting or realistic (non Mary-Sueish) female protagonist- who is the center and anchor of the story.
Jane has the right balance of redeeming qualities while being a very flawed character as well. She is intelligent, witty, kind, caring, but also proud, vulnerable, disliked by many around, and has a sharp contrast to the cardboard society beauties if her time.
I love that Jane is so devoted to her love and yet so considerate of others as well. Growing up as an orphan without anyone to love her, rather than brood, she becomes an intelligent, independent woman finding her way out into the outside world from the oppressive Lowood School. It merely happens by chance that she meets the first person to discover her excellences and flaws and falls in love with her (even though he’s accustomed to beautiful, non-intelligent heiresses)
However it is definitely not a perfect romance, while in the process of falling in love and committing to each other, Jane discovers that Mr. Rochester is still married (to an insane, now-imprisoned heiress) to escape temptation and the source of her pain. However, eventually she comes back a year later to discover a now blind and crippled widower as a result of a fire on Thornfield prior. Their reunion showed Jane’s compassion and devotion still intact for her love and is finally able to marry him. At the end of the novel she reveals that she and Mr. Rochester are still happily married after 10 years and have a child together and also her joy at the happiness of the friends/relatives (who took in Jane after departure from Thornfield).
The novel ends with a quote from a letter sent by Jane’s very religious half-cousin, St. John, “My master… has forewarned me. Daily he announces more distinctly- “Sure I come quickly!” and hourly I respond more eager respond,- “Amen, even so come, Lord Jesus.” It is the perfect closing to signify the happiness and contentment of Jane and all her loved ones after much unhappiness. Jane now has a family who loves and cherishes her. Mr. Rochester is no longer in a loveless marriage and is free of dark secrets. Diana and Mary (sisters of St. John) are happily marries to husbands who adore them equally and St. John has finally found God after and is no longer bound by earthly burdens.
Jane has the right balance of redeeming qualities while being a very flawed character as well. She is intelligent, witty, kind, caring, but also proud, vulnerable, disliked by many around, and has a sharp contrast to the cardboard society beauties if her time.
I love that Jane is so devoted to her love and yet so considerate of others as well. Growing up as an orphan without anyone to love her, rather than brood, she becomes an intelligent, independent woman finding her way out into the outside world from the oppressive Lowood School. It merely happens by chance that she meets the first person to discover her excellences and flaws and falls in love with her (even though he’s accustomed to beautiful, non-intelligent heiresses)
However it is definitely not a perfect romance, while in the process of falling in love and committing to each other, Jane discovers that Mr. Rochester is still married (to an insane, now-imprisoned heiress) to escape temptation and the source of her pain. However, eventually she comes back a year later to discover a now blind and crippled widower as a result of a fire on Thornfield prior. Their reunion showed Jane’s compassion and devotion still intact for her love and is finally able to marry him. At the end of the novel she reveals that she and Mr. Rochester are still happily married after 10 years and have a child together and also her joy at the happiness of the friends/relatives (who took in Jane after departure from Thornfield).
The novel ends with a quote from a letter sent by Jane’s very religious half-cousin, St. John, “My master… has forewarned me. Daily he announces more distinctly- “Sure I come quickly!” and hourly I respond more eager respond,- “Amen, even so come, Lord Jesus.” It is the perfect closing to signify the happiness and contentment of Jane and all her loved ones after much unhappiness. Jane now has a family who loves and cherishes her. Mr. Rochester is no longer in a loveless marriage and is free of dark secrets. Diana and Mary (sisters of St. John) are happily marries to husbands who adore them equally and St. John has finally found God after and is no longer bound by earthly burdens.
1984
One of the most overrated "classics" I have come across so far: too much description, little content in the plot, and also not at all fond of the cliche of desperation leading to sex and passion as a means of escape.
Because Orwell's need to constantly describe, describe, describe, I am left to merely scan all the words while my attention goes elsewhere. I have quite a bit of willpower, especially as a student who strives to succeed, but not even all my scholarly diligence can keep my attention for more than a couple of seconds. Perhap, my concentration would last longer if there was any plot. Even more than halfway through the book, so far the plot has been nothing but the protagonist purchasing a diary, talking about his boring, insipid existance, and griping about how miserable and bored he is and wants to "rebel." Winston finally shifts his focus when comes this pretty thing named Julia: they meet and have sex. She, in a way, uplifts the story, but not much however, as Winston lets his passions get a hold of his dreary existance and becomes the centerfold.
Sadly, that's all there is in more than the first half- if there is nothing to find interesting by then, might as well toss the book out the window and get on with your life. There many classic stories, such as those Shakespeare, that are difficult to follow, but at least he had interesting stories to tell. I have come across some boring literature in my day- quite a bit- however, this is probably the most boring school-issued novel in my whole career as a student.
Because Orwell's need to constantly describe, describe, describe, I am left to merely scan all the words while my attention goes elsewhere. I have quite a bit of willpower, especially as a student who strives to succeed, but not even all my scholarly diligence can keep my attention for more than a couple of seconds. Perhap, my concentration would last longer if there was any plot. Even more than halfway through the book, so far the plot has been nothing but the protagonist purchasing a diary, talking about his boring, insipid existance, and griping about how miserable and bored he is and wants to "rebel." Winston finally shifts his focus when comes this pretty thing named Julia: they meet and have sex. She, in a way, uplifts the story, but not much however, as Winston lets his passions get a hold of his dreary existance and becomes the centerfold.
Sadly, that's all there is in more than the first half- if there is nothing to find interesting by then, might as well toss the book out the window and get on with your life. There many classic stories, such as those Shakespeare, that are difficult to follow, but at least he had interesting stories to tell. I have come across some boring literature in my day- quite a bit- however, this is probably the most boring school-issued novel in my whole career as a student.
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