I think it is great that people can find so much reflected in Jane Eyre but I am always wary of reading too many modern concepts into a work that was written much earlier. I mainly see Jane Eyre as being about faith, which is an aspect that is hardly ever touched upon but is evident throughout the book. Her struggle to assert herself as an equal is part of that, reflecting that true love can only exist among equals as all are equal before God. The last third of the book is Jane finally coming to terms with the perceived Christian duty of the time (i.e. St. John and his missionary work) and her own view that following your heart to live a life in love, being kind and fair, living in partnership rather than subservience are true Christian virtues that are as important, if not more, as eradicating the self in pursuit of a meaningful life as St. John does. There is a point to the very last sentence in the novel being about St. John. But I keep finding new things in it as well! One of my absolute favourite books.
Yes, it's a bit annoying to me that I can't find an analysis of Jane Eyre that is not tainted with modern and feminist ideas, all the 'smash the patriarchy' and classism and race crap. Even the 2011 movie changes Jane's intent in leaving Rochester. "I must respect myself" they had her say. While that is true, she left because she would not stay and live with a married man because it was morally wrong, a sin. She could never be validly married to him so long as Bertha was alive, so she left.
@@Drea538 I feel the same. This book to me is about redemption. They both had their flaws and wounds from their circumstances in life but I loved the ending they both got. They both deserved love and happiness and I'm so happy that Rochester got a second chance. He was a proud, complicated, flawed character who got a second chance and was loved & accepted by Jane even at his worst, which in some ways reminds me of what Christ did for us. Once he went blind, he could no longer hide behind his pride. Have you seen the movie adaptation with Ciaran Hinds and Samantha Morton? That took by breath away. So powerful and beautiful. The end makes me cry every time
Agree with you about faith...which I found so off putting. The analysis in this video makes no reference to faith. In fact it is as if the person doing the analysis hasn't read the same book as me. Charlotte Bronte was the daughter of a perpetual curate - brought up in a parsonage by a religious family; her mother was very religious. Towards the end of her short life she married her father's curate. Haworth and its environs ( worth a visit!) explain quite a lot.. I enjoyed Jane Eyre up to when Rochester appears. From then there's more and more 'faith' the infantilisation of Jane by Rochester and after that it was all down hill for me... Rochester dressing up as an old female fortune teller had me laughing out loud it is so ridiculous. There is no humour in the book ..and the Christianity becomes so h e a v y...
You are so incredibly articulate and your analyses are extremely profound. Definitely made me want to pick up Jane Eyre again. Please do more of these types of videos! I would love to hear your thoughts on various other classics! xxxx
This is the kind of content I would constantly watch! For a non native reader who hasn't really studied English literature (just briefly in high school which equals to nothing) this is the perfect guidance on how to read such relevant books! Thank you Jen.
Absolutely brilliant video! I took part in the readalong, it was my second time reading Jane Eyre after a lot of time. I never even noticed most of these things. Your analysis shows me that Jane Eyre is even more brilliant than I thought! Thanks so much for this!
This was such an interesting video! I love it when you do in-depth discussions and in this one you raised so many great points. I remember analysing the mirroring of Jane and Bertha during my English Literature A-Level in light of the theme of isolation and how it both helps and hinders the characters (I looked at the extension of the theme in Wide Sargasso Sea too).
Wow, this is one of my favourite videos of yours! I didn't join the read-along, because I have already read Jane Eyre twice, the last time being a few months ago. I have only read it translated in greek though, which makes me think I have missed some of its greatness! Your analysis is amazing, it made me realize how superficially I've been seeing this story all this time. I'd also love to see you talking about books inspired by Jane Eyre!
This was an absolutely fantastic analysis of Jane Eyre - I feel like I've gained an even deeper understanding of one of my favourite novels. I always find the ending really jarring (but fascinating), it never quite sits well with me. I found it interesting when I read that, whilst Charlotte was writing Jane Eyre, she accompanied her father to hospital while he had a cataracts operation (a lot less straight forward, and more risky, than it is now!). It's possible this may have had an influence on the idea of Rochester losing his sight and gaining it again.
I didn't join in on the read along, but I'm trying to improve my ability to analyse books and my literary theory knowledge so after this I think I'll re-read it with what you've said in the back of my mind. And then read wide sargasso sea for the challenge of more analysing. : )
I read Jane Eyre 10+ years ago in middle school and I didn't really study or analyze it at the time, so it's fascinating to hear you discuss some of the symbolism and deeper elements - it definitely makes me want to re-read it!
Such a great discussion video! I've read Jane Eyre sooo many times by now so I know it very well, but you brought up quite a few things that I've never thought of. Feel like I might want to read it AGAIN now, just to have those things in the back of my mind :)
Fascinating to hear you talk about the book! Despite studying this book in a lot of detail durnig my undergrad, I really feel I can now see Jane Eyre from an entirely different perspective; I must go and reread it soon!
I did start the read-along, but I'm still not quite half way thru. Had I heard this review I think I would have loved the book more (& be finished by now) I'm tempted to stop and go back to the beginning...Your discussion is freakin' awesome!!!
As soon as I saw that this video existed, I almost wanted to savour it forever and not watch it immediately but I caved, and just as I expected I LOVED IT
Wonderful analysis, I was always fascinated with the reference of eyes and sight in Jane Eyre - that I am no linking into the aspects of performance that you so wonderfully explained. I cannot remember the exact quotes but Jane sight and inner perspective is slowly broadened, whilst Mr Rochester (once a man of the world) finds his perspective shrinking culminating in his loss of sight. Yet his recovery of sight is entangled with his alliance with Jane, and mirrors your question of 'is it him regaining power'?
This video is of incredible quality, in content, in structure, in delivery. Thank you so much for this Jen! I loved reading Wide Sargasso Sea, it gave a voice to the most interesting character in Jane Eyre and introduced me to the wonderful Jean Rhys :)
I would love to have a video of books that have been inspired by Jane Eyre!! I've never read "Wide Sargasso Sea", because I quite like Rochester in the book and his relationship with Jane, the way they joked with each other, the way they were equal (to me), so I thought I wouldn't like the "prequel" as it definitively painted him as a villain, no? Anyway, I would love to hear your thoughts on that book and others inspired by Jane Eyre as well.
Great video! I am currently re reading it. I've read it several times and I hadn't thought of that dark twist to the end! I always thought of Rochester getting sight back as some way of getting a "happy ending" but your insight is really interesting. I'll definately try to get that short stories collection
Absolutely LOVED this, I'm studying Jane Eyre for my Alevel coursework for lit and this gave me so many new ideas and depth to ones I already discussed in class. Have got Reader, I married ready to read and I would really like a video on others based on Jane Eyre please! Going to go send this to the girls in my class!
Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books. It changes every time I read it. I'm not sure if I am noticing different details or I just read it differently as I age. I've never considered the symbolism you discuss in this video, so I'm looking forward to how it changes upon my next reading. I also need to read Wide Sargasso Sea, which I own but haven't actually read. Thanks for yet another fantastic video!
I feel like I have read this book because it's such a part of my psyche, but now I think about it I'm pretty sure I have only seen adaptations. I am going to read this on my summer vacation this year! The Ruth Wilson adaptation is one of my favs too. I enjoy her work. Have you seen her in "Luther"? So fun!
Such an interesting review/discussion! I still have only watched the BBC adaptation but I hope to read it this summer, and I'll keep all that in mind! Thanks a lot for this video
I reread Jane Eyre this month as part of your readalong and it has remained my favourite book. And now having watched this video, I want to read it again right now! I'm currently reading Wide Sargasso Sea and you've given me some things to think about as I continue. I also love your thoughts on the ending with Rochester getting his sight back.
This is my lazy Sunday morning attempt at A Level revision hahah, thank you for the point about the women's names, I never noticed the pagan undertones and I didn't notice the point about "Mason" being house and containment. Those are going in my essays !!
What a great discussion! I haven't read Jane Eyre for years but I am inspired to pick up a copy again. My favourite adaptation is with Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender, for anyone who enjoyed True Detective this is the same director and it is beautifully made.
Thanks so much for this fascinating analysis, Jen. I love the multifaceted nature of Jane Eyre - every time I read the book I discover something new. I particularly like what you say about "performance" in the text (another thing I hadn't notices!). I always like the Gothic elements to a Bronte novel - a haunting or ghostly spectre is sure to hook me
Jennnnnnnnn! I just finished Jane Eyre after putting it off for a couple of years and I'm so glad I came bck to watch this video. You made me see loads of things I hadn't before, especially with the comparisons between Jane and Bertha. I'd love to see some of the books based off of Jane Eyre...did you ever make that video?? Sending you lots of love! x
If it goes on tour again, try and get tickets to the Jane Eyre stage play by ‘The Company’. It started off at Bristol Old Vic then went to The National Theatre THEN on tour around the UK. It’s the best adaptation I have ever seen; I saw it three times!!!
This was wonderful. Thank you. Would love to see another video about books inspired by Jane Eyre.. Also super keen to see a video of you analysing Peter Pan
Hey Jen, I've just finished Jane Eyre last night and saw that you had a video about it. It was really refreshing to have all the symbolism pointed out that I hadn't picked up on myself. I would really like a video about Jane Eyre inspired books in the future :) I am presently thinking of ordering Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye, which came out in March and has gotten good reviews so far!
Jane Eyre has long been my favorite book. I've read it many times, but there were a few things in there that I never caught. Great video! I love all the bird symbolism. I never realized that about Blanche being dark, that's fascinating. Have you read Villette? My favorite book based on Jane Eyre is The Eyre Affair :)
Very interesting take on the book thank you. However the meaning of words changes over time; I seriously doubt that Charlotte Bronte was making any sexual references when she used the verb ejaculate. At the time it just meant exclaim, call or cry out
Joined in late to the read along but glad I did. I read it in high school and did not like it all. Having reread it now I think I didnt have certain levels of understanding as I do now. I cant say I loved it as I have loved some books but listening to your discussion I can see why it is a wonderful text to critically analyse. I am however, glad I did reread it as I dont have the same feelings as I did before and can appreciate the importance of the book and its place in literature.Thanks for the great video.
Thank you so much for this great insight into Jane Eyre!! I absolutely love Jane Eyre (and despise Villette?) and this type of study into the characters and symbolism adds so much depth :) I would love to see another video about Jane Eyre influenced writing! PS, what sort of book/website/information should I look up if I want more information on the study of classics? I realize lots of people gain this information at university, but it's too late for that as I took pure sciences...
+Dominique D if you want to look into general theory then something like a Norton anthology might be a good idea. But it might be best to search for articles based around a specific book you're interested in, especially if you have access to Jstor :) UA-cam is also a great resource (Cinzia over at CA DuBois has just started a lecture series). Though if it's imagery and symbolism you're interested in, it's fun just to dive in and do close readings. The majority of what I talked about in this video isn't information I was ever taught, they are just my observations :)
Jen Campbell I definitely agree. She’s less ambitious than her sisters but more subtle and her books are about more serious themes than her sisters’, such as alcoholism.
I fell very behind on the readalong (I blame my dissertation...well, and the fact that I went on holiday and spent all day every day sightseeing with little time to read) but I finally finished it last night, so this has come at a very good time! Although it's already so fresh in my mind, you've made me really want to re-read it already since I didn't pick up on so much of this stuff. I thought your point about the elemental names was really interesting - once you mentioned it, I noticed that actually the name "Bertha" contains a homonym of "earth", another opposite between her and Jane. I've ordered Wide Sargasso Sea and Jane, The Fox and Me as well so I'm looking forward to delving deeper into the literature inspired by Jane Eyre in the near future. Perhaps I should read Reader, I Married Him as well!
+La Quaintrelle Christie It's not a homonym (that's 'right' 'write' etc) - it's a kangaroo word (or a Matryoshka word) kind of; it has one letter in the wrong place and kangaroo words are supposed to be in the right order. But YES. :D Excellent stuff. Also I can't think of the word homonym without thinking of Gulliver's Travels and the Houyhnhmns - ha! x
Thanks for this video, and yes please re: a future video on other work inspired by Jane Eyre! (I’m very eager to get to ’The Crimson Petal and the White’). I never noticed the imagery of elements in names, that’s fascinating. The theme of performance with that recurring image of curtains, and people taking on roles and the theme of mistaken identities reminds me that this is of course a one-sided narrative and leads me to consider Jane’s reliability as a narrator. Rochester uses ‘performance’ to attempt to manipulate Jane a number of times in the novel. Perhaps Jane is to an extent, performing to the reader in her narrative too. She constantly addresses the reader directly, and I recall the scene where she recounts Mrs Reed’s treatment of her to Miss Temple and explains how she resists the temptation to exagerate, to make it sound more credible. This is an idea that is explored in the short story collection you mention, ‘Reader, I married him’, which offers alternative versions of events from other narrators such as Grace Pool and Mr Rochester in some of the stories. Currently reading that now and really enjoying it (Foyles have an event on that book next week on Tuesday that i’m going to). I look forward to hearing your thoughts on that also!
+Eleni M It's interesting, because Mr. Rochester is also shown to be very kind, caring and considerate at various points throughout the novel, and if we start to question Jane's manipulation of her memory/the text then that has to encompass both the bad things and the good. Enjoy the event at Foyles! x
I wonder if there will ever be a sequel of Jane Eyre to answer your "What happens when Mr Rochester gets his sights back? What happens when he regains his power?....."
I think one interesting answer to your question of "What happens when Rochester gets his sight/strength back?" lies in the fact that the story ends. Throughout the book we see Jane struggling to get her power, to gain and maintain independence. But she must also balance this with her role as a woman in Victorian society and she struggles to find the independence she craves as she is constantly pushed back by the constraints of her position in society. The story begins not at the start of her life but at the start of her journey towards independence. She finally pushes back against her cousins and aunt, she gets sent to school, she becomes a teacher, then a governess. Each progression through her life brings her closer to her goal of independence, but we still see the societal constraints holding her back from her full potential. When she finally achieves the pinnacle of power and independence that is possible for a woman of her societal standing, she is ultimately pulled back by a man. Bertha dies. Jane becomes his wife. Rochester regains his strength. The story ends.
Do you have any essay tips, this has really helped with content but I always find it hard to plan and relay my thoughts in my essays (i am an A Level student)?
When I hear you talking about Jane Eyre, I feel like I have never read the book.... (and a bit stupid) I would have never ever noticed all those themes and details...
+mrsdeWilde Noooo don't feel stupid! Jane Eyre is a great book to go into with a pen and underline and examine but I don't read every single book as closely as I did this one :) x
I've tried several times now, but for some reason this video won't load/play past a minute. And I desperately want to hear your thoughts on Jane Eyre :(
+Anne Fien Have you tried clicking on a point further on in the video? This doesn't appear to be happening to anyone else - so might be best to restart Chrome/whatever program you're using :)
What a fascinating analysis of Jane Eyre, I really enjoyed watching this! Jane Eyre is one of my absolute favourite novels of all time, but I haven't actually read it in over a decade, so you've certainly inspired me to re-read it in a bit more depth! :)
This was my second time reading it. I loved it so much more this time, though my anger about being locked in an attic was strong! Please do a book inspired by video yes yes! I do find the constant push of hysteria an interesting topic and how in the psychiatric world of that time being locked in an attic was in fact a form of kindness. To not send someone to an asylum full of screams and filth and death. Anyway thank you for a lovely video what a pleasure to read this again
+Jen Campbell oh for sure I'm hoping to really do a more in depth conversation of the treatment of the mentally ill over time. So I'm excited to work on that project. But I very much need to get my research and facts down and ready. Any books you stumble on in your travels for disability for the mentally ill let me know it's be a great help to me :)
I'm thinking of reading Jane Eyre... But i'm hearing different reviews about it. But as you were saying about Jane not bringing out her femininity, shes very closed in.... so to speak. As you said about the red room, and seeing it as a womb. Can they not express their feminine side at all, i know its old fashioned, and women seem to be repressed in those days, having women as lower class to men etc. But not its equality, women now days are equal to men! 21st century and all that! lol Which i think is write, woman are and always will be equal to men!!
I’ve never bought into the “proto-feminist” narrative of Jane. She is a spirited girl who has learned to harness strength through adversity. Many do, many more don’t. (Men and women) Also Bertha is creole, aka white settlers.
It´s so rare to see a booktuber dive this way in a book! Amazing video.
Lots of symbolism I hadn't picked up on before! MY MIND IS SO FULL NOW.
+Jamie Dianne xxxx
I think it is great that people can find so much reflected in Jane Eyre but I am always wary of reading too many modern concepts into a work that was written much earlier. I mainly see Jane Eyre as being about faith, which is an aspect that is hardly ever touched upon but is evident throughout the book. Her struggle to assert herself as an equal is part of that, reflecting that true love can only exist among equals as all are equal before God. The last third of the book is Jane finally coming to terms with the perceived Christian duty of the time (i.e. St. John and his missionary work) and her own view that following your heart to live a life in love, being kind and fair, living in partnership rather than subservience are true Christian virtues that are as important, if not more, as eradicating the self in pursuit of a meaningful life as St. John does. There is a point to the very last sentence in the novel being about St. John. But I keep finding new things in it as well! One of my absolute favourite books.
Yes, it's a bit annoying to me that I can't find an analysis of Jane Eyre that is not tainted with modern and feminist ideas, all the 'smash the patriarchy' and classism and race crap. Even the 2011 movie changes Jane's intent in leaving Rochester. "I must respect myself" they had her say. While that is true, she left because she would not stay and live with a married man because it was morally wrong, a sin. She could never be validly married to him so long as Bertha was alive, so she left.
@@Drea538 I feel the same. This book to me is about redemption. They both had their flaws and wounds from their circumstances in life but I loved the ending they both got. They both deserved love and happiness and I'm so happy that Rochester got a second chance. He was a proud, complicated, flawed character who got a second chance and was loved & accepted by Jane even at his worst, which in some ways reminds me of what Christ did for us. Once he went blind, he could no longer hide behind his pride. Have you seen the movie adaptation with Ciaran Hinds and Samantha Morton? That took by breath away. So powerful and beautiful. The end makes me cry every time
Agree with you about faith...which I found so off putting.
The analysis in this video makes no reference to faith.
In fact it is as if the person doing the analysis hasn't read the same book as me.
Charlotte Bronte was the daughter of a perpetual curate - brought up in a parsonage by a religious family;
her mother was very religious. Towards the end of her short life she married her father's curate.
Haworth and its environs ( worth a visit!) explain quite a lot..
I enjoyed Jane Eyre up to when Rochester appears. From then there's more and more 'faith' the infantilisation of Jane by Rochester and after that it was all down hill for me...
Rochester dressing up as an old female fortune teller had me laughing out loud it is so ridiculous.
There is no humour in the book ..and the Christianity becomes so h e a v y...
I've never thought about fairytales references ! Really illuminating, thanks Jen :)
+Valeria Moro You're welcome :)
You are so incredibly articulate and your analyses are extremely profound. Definitely made me want to pick up Jane Eyre again. Please do more of these types of videos! I would love to hear your thoughts on various other classics! xxxx
wow! can't wait to read it again after hearing your thoughts!
This is the kind of content I would constantly watch! For a non native reader who hasn't really studied English literature (just briefly in high school which equals to nothing) this is the perfect guidance on how to read such relevant books! Thank you Jen.
+utterlyUncool Thank you ^_^ x
Absolutely brilliant video! I took part in the readalong, it was my second time reading Jane Eyre after a lot of time. I never even noticed most of these things. Your analysis shows me that Jane Eyre is even more brilliant than I thought! Thanks so much for this!
+Anette Becker She's a clever lass, that Charlotte Bronte.
You understand this so much more than I do, yet I love this book, so thankyou Jen!
This was such an interesting video! I love it when you do in-depth discussions and in this one you raised so many great points. I remember analysing the mirroring of Jane and Bertha during my English Literature A-Level in light of the theme of isolation and how it both helps and hinders the characters (I looked at the extension of the theme in Wide Sargasso Sea too).
+ReadingWithJack Wide Sargasso Sea is so good, I basically think of it as canon ☺️
Wow, this is one of my favourite videos of yours! I didn't join the read-along, because I have already read Jane Eyre twice, the last time being a few months ago. I have only read it translated in greek though, which makes me think I have missed some of its greatness! Your analysis is amazing, it made me realize how superficially I've been seeing this story all this time. I'd also love to see you talking about books inspired by Jane Eyre!
Εγώ πλέον δεν μπορώ να διαβάσω το βιβλίο μεταφρασμένο. Τόσο ωραία και ποιητική χρήση κάνει της αγγλικής γλώσσας η Σάρλοτ.
I'm studying Jane Eyre for A Level English and it is so interesting to head your thoughts on things I've not yet picked up on!
This was an absolutely fantastic analysis of Jane Eyre - I feel like I've gained an even deeper understanding of one of my favourite novels. I always find the ending really jarring (but fascinating), it never quite sits well with me.
I found it interesting when I read that, whilst Charlotte was writing Jane Eyre, she accompanied her father to hospital while he had a cataracts operation (a lot less straight forward, and more risky, than it is now!). It's possible this may have had an influence on the idea of Rochester losing his sight and gaining it again.
I didn't join in on the read along, but I'm trying to improve my ability to analyse books and my literary theory knowledge so after this I think I'll re-read it with what you've said in the back of my mind. And then read wide sargasso sea for the challenge of more analysing. : )
+Sophie Carlon :) xxxx
Oh my God. This is easily one of my favourite videos. And Jane Eyre is one of my all-time favourites.
Loved the Jane Eyre read-a-long; read it so many times but never gets old and always new insights :)
+rachelclare88 Thanks for joining in! x
read this for the first time during this read-along and I'm so glad you made me! loved it!
+Zoe Thinks Yey! So glad you enjoyed it ^_^ x
I read Jane Eyre 10+ years ago in middle school and I didn't really study or analyze it at the time, so it's fascinating to hear you discuss some of the symbolism and deeper elements - it definitely makes me want to re-read it!
Such a great discussion video! I've read Jane Eyre sooo many times by now so I know it very well, but you brought up quite a few things that I've never thought of. Feel like I might want to read it AGAIN now, just to have those things in the back of my mind :)
I’ve only just found this excellent video. You should be a lecturer! You are so clear and precise. Love everything you do. 🥰
Well done. Great new insights that are new to me.
Fascinating to hear you talk about the book! Despite studying this book in a lot of detail durnig my undergrad, I really feel I can now see Jane Eyre from an entirely different perspective; I must go and reread it soon!
+Gwen B Thanks, Gwen, I hope you enjoy your reread! x
I subscribed because of this review. Such deep reflections and sooo many references and tropes. LOVED IT! LOVE YOU! Warm hugs from Poland.
+aynowe Warm hugs back :)
I did start the read-along, but I'm still not quite half way thru. Had I heard this review I think I would have loved the book more (& be finished by now) I'm tempted to stop and go back to the beginning...Your discussion is freakin' awesome!!!
As soon as I saw that this video existed, I almost wanted to savour it forever and not watch it immediately but I caved, and just as I expected I LOVED IT
Wonderful analysis, I was always fascinated with the reference of eyes and sight in Jane Eyre - that I am no linking into the aspects of performance that you so wonderfully explained. I cannot remember the exact quotes but Jane sight and inner perspective is slowly broadened, whilst Mr Rochester (once a man of the world) finds his perspective shrinking culminating in his loss of sight. Yet his recovery of sight is entangled with his alliance with Jane, and mirrors your question of 'is it him regaining power'?
Great video! Have been looking forward to this one. Please do a discussion of Wide Sargasso Sea too. My absolute fave.
+Alice Randall I'm not planning a reread of Wide Sargasso Sea at the moment - though I do love it :)
+Jen Campbell I will keep my fingers crossed for the future!
This video is of incredible quality, in content, in structure, in delivery. Thank you so much for this Jen! I loved reading Wide Sargasso Sea, it gave a voice to the most interesting character in Jane Eyre and introduced me to the wonderful Jean Rhys :)
+giulia g, Jean Rhys is a queen ❤️
+giulia g, Also, thank you xx
I would love to have a video of books that have been inspired by Jane Eyre!! I've never read "Wide Sargasso Sea", because I quite like Rochester in the book and his relationship with Jane, the way they joked with each other, the way they were equal (to me), so I thought I wouldn't like the "prequel" as it definitively painted him as a villain, no? Anyway, I would love to hear your thoughts on that book and others inspired by Jane Eyre as well.
Yesss, a video on books inspired by Jane Eyre would be awesome.
Great video! I am currently re reading it. I've read it several times and I hadn't thought of that dark twist to the end! I always thought of Rochester getting sight back as some way of getting a "happy ending" but your insight is really interesting. I'll definately try to get that short stories collection
+Antía García Perhaps you're just a more optimistic person than me ;) x
I love the Vintage classics edition of Jane Eyre you're holding. Need it in my life!
I have this edition also, it's so beautiful!
Brilliant review!
This is a fab video Jen 😊 You're making me want to do my dissertation again! xx
Wow, you are so smart, I wish I had you near me when I read mine again , now for the third time.thankyou Jen
I could listen to you talk about books all day long. Brilliant! And I must finally read this book, by the way. 🍃
Absolutely LOVED this, I'm studying Jane Eyre for my Alevel coursework for lit and this gave me so many new ideas and depth to ones I already discussed in class. Have got Reader, I married ready to read and I would really like a video on others based on Jane Eyre please! Going to go send this to the girls in my class!
+Jadeling97 ^_^ xx
I love that cover
An excellent video! thanks for that class in interpreting Jane Eyre, loved it!
+ttjnaaa :) xx
The Ruth Wilson adaptation is my favourite too! Really interesting to hear your thoughts on this book :)
Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books. It changes every time I read it. I'm not sure if I am noticing different details or I just read it differently as I age. I've never considered the symbolism you discuss in this video, so I'm looking forward to how it changes upon my next reading. I also need to read Wide Sargasso Sea, which I own but haven't actually read. Thanks for yet another fantastic video!
+akschauer I have a feeling you're going to love Wide Sargasso Sea :)
I feel like I have read this book because it's such a part of my psyche, but now I think about it I'm pretty sure I have only seen adaptations. I am going to read this on my summer vacation this year! The Ruth Wilson adaptation is one of my favs too. I enjoy her work. Have you seen her in "Luther"? So fun!
+Living Medium I have - she's fab in that ^_^
Such an interesting review/discussion! I still have only watched the BBC adaptation but I hope to read it this summer, and I'll keep all that in mind! Thanks a lot for this video
+nebulleuse Hope you enjoy it :)
Wow love this video, I hadn't thought of a lot of these references before, will have to read this book again. Thank you :)
I would love the video about Jane Eyre inspired books.
I reread Jane Eyre this month as part of your readalong and it has remained my favourite book. And now having watched this video, I want to read it again right now! I'm currently reading Wide Sargasso Sea and you've given me some things to think about as I continue. I also love your thoughts on the ending with Rochester getting his sight back.
This is my lazy Sunday morning attempt at A Level revision hahah, thank you for the point about the women's names, I never noticed the pagan undertones and I didn't notice the point about "Mason" being house and containment. Those are going in my essays !!
+Niamh W Happy to help! xx
What a great discussion! I haven't read Jane Eyre for years but I am inspired to pick up a copy again. My favourite adaptation is with Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender, for anyone who enjoyed True Detective this is the same director and it is beautifully made.
Brilliant review! Thank you Jen~
Thanks, Francene x
Thanks so much for this fascinating analysis, Jen. I love the multifaceted nature of Jane Eyre - every time I read the book I discover something new. I particularly like what you say about "performance" in the text (another thing I hadn't notices!). I always like the Gothic elements to a Bronte novel - a haunting or ghostly spectre is sure to hook me
+Claire Quigley (ClaireQuip Reads) Thanks, Claire :) x
Jennnnnnnnn! I just finished Jane Eyre after putting it off for a couple of years and I'm so glad I came bck to watch this video. You made me see loads of things I hadn't before, especially with the comparisons between Jane and Bertha. I'd love to see some of the books based off of Jane Eyre...did you ever make that video?? Sending you lots of love! x
This was fantastic!!! Thank you Jen.
Your ability to analyse is incredible, you should be paid doing this as a profession.
...I am ;) x
If it goes on tour again, try and get tickets to the Jane Eyre stage play by ‘The Company’. It started off at Bristol Old Vic then went to The National Theatre THEN on tour around the UK. It’s the best adaptation I have ever seen; I saw it three times!!!
This was wonderful. Thank you. Would love to see another video about books inspired by Jane Eyre.. Also super keen to see a video of you analysing Peter Pan
+Bookish Tendencies I'll be doing that later this year - will host a readalong :) x
I read the book and I found it mysterious and fascinating. Jane Eyre is a beautiful character and she is also an independent woman.
I love this review. Thank you very much❤.
Jen you are so intellectual and I feel like I know you personally. Love listening to you
you are so great at discussion videos!! x
+Izzi Bizzi Thanks, Izzi, glad you enjoyed it :) x
Hey Jen, I've just finished Jane Eyre last night and saw that you had a video about it. It was really refreshing to have all the symbolism pointed out that I hadn't picked up on myself.
I would really like a video about Jane Eyre inspired books in the future :) I am presently thinking of ordering Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye, which came out in March and has gotten good reviews so far!
What lipstick are you wearing in this video?
Such an interesting watch thank you Jen!!xox
+aliweknow Rimmel 107 :)
Oooh okay thank you!!xox
Jane Eyre has long been my favorite book. I've read it many times, but there were a few things in there that I never caught. Great video! I love all the bird symbolism.
I never realized that about Blanche being dark, that's fascinating.
Have you read Villette?
My favorite book based on Jane Eyre is The Eyre Affair :)
+Kim ! I started to last year but ended up putting it down (just wasn't the right time - I'll definitely be picking it up again :) ) x
Fantastic video Jen! I'll be re-reading Jane Eyre soon and starting Wide Sargasso Sea and Reader I Married Him :) x
Very interesting take on the book thank you. However the meaning of words changes over time; I seriously doubt that Charlotte Bronte was making any sexual references when she used the verb ejaculate. At the time it just meant exclaim, call or cry out
DAMN! This was so informative and interesting. you are brilliant! xx
Joined in late to the read along but glad I did. I read it in high school and did not like it all. Having reread it now I think I didnt have certain levels of understanding as I do now. I cant say I loved it as I have loved some books but listening to your discussion I can see why it is a wonderful text to critically analyse. I am however, glad I did reread it as I dont have the same feelings as I did before and can appreciate the importance of the book and its place in literature.Thanks for the great video.
+Jo Reads Thanks Jo x
{{{ WOW }}} What a review of Jane Eyre! Thank You for that. {{{ BRILLIANT }}}
+Bookish Rainbow Thank you, glad you liked it :) x
Fantastic video!
Yaaas. Love me some Jane Eyre, and I loved this video.
I never particularly enjoyed Jane Eyre, but now I'm convinced I just missed all the good stuff. Back on the "to re-read" list!
Thank you so much for this great insight into Jane Eyre!! I absolutely love Jane Eyre (and despise Villette?) and this type of study into the characters and symbolism adds so much depth :) I would love to see another video about Jane Eyre influenced writing!
PS, what sort of book/website/information should I look up if I want more information on the study of classics? I realize lots of people gain this information at university, but it's too late for that as I took pure sciences...
+Dominique D if you want to look into general theory then something like a Norton anthology might be a good idea. But it might be best to search for articles based around a specific book you're interested in, especially if you have access to Jstor :) UA-cam is also a great resource (Cinzia over at CA DuBois has just started a lecture series). Though if it's imagery and symbolism you're interested in, it's fun just to dive in and do close readings. The majority of what I talked about in this video isn't information I was ever taught, they are just my observations :)
Wow, we read it at the same age and have the same favourite adaptation
+Vanilla Moon Books I think I might have to go and rewatch it, now! x
Who is the most brilliant Brontë sister? I love Charlotte so much but Emily’s language is more poetic and almost magical. Who is your favourite?
I think Anne is very underrated. Personally I prefer Charlotte.
Jen Campbell I definitely agree. She’s less ambitious than her sisters but more subtle and her books are about more serious themes than her sisters’, such as alcoholism.
I fell very behind on the readalong (I blame my dissertation...well, and the fact that I went on holiday and spent all day every day sightseeing with little time to read) but I finally finished it last night, so this has come at a very good time! Although it's already so fresh in my mind, you've made me really want to re-read it already since I didn't pick up on so much of this stuff. I thought your point about the elemental names was really interesting - once you mentioned it, I noticed that actually the name "Bertha" contains a homonym of "earth", another opposite between her and Jane. I've ordered Wide Sargasso Sea and Jane, The Fox and Me as well so I'm looking forward to delving deeper into the literature inspired by Jane Eyre in the near future. Perhaps I should read Reader, I Married Him as well!
+La Quaintrelle Christie It's not a homonym (that's 'right' 'write' etc) - it's a kangaroo word (or a Matryoshka word) kind of; it has one letter in the wrong place and kangaroo words are supposed to be in the right order. But YES. :D Excellent stuff. Also I can't think of the word homonym without thinking of Gulliver's Travels and the Houyhnhmns - ha! x
It cracked me up how she always used the word ejaculated - it must've still meant the same thing when the book was written?
Thanks for this video, and yes please re: a future video on other work inspired by Jane Eyre! (I’m very eager to get to ’The Crimson Petal and the White’). I never noticed the imagery of elements in names, that’s fascinating. The theme of performance with that recurring image of curtains, and people taking on roles and the theme of mistaken identities reminds me that this is of course a one-sided narrative and leads me to consider Jane’s reliability as a narrator. Rochester uses ‘performance’ to attempt to manipulate Jane a number of times in the novel. Perhaps Jane is to an extent, performing to the reader in her narrative too. She constantly addresses the reader directly, and I recall the scene where she recounts Mrs Reed’s treatment of her to Miss Temple and explains how she resists the temptation to exagerate, to make it sound more credible. This is an idea that is explored in the short story collection you mention, ‘Reader, I married him’, which offers alternative versions of events from other narrators such as Grace Pool and Mr Rochester in some of the stories. Currently reading that now and really enjoying it (Foyles have an event on that book next week on Tuesday that i’m going to). I look forward to hearing your thoughts on that also!
+Eleni M It's interesting, because Mr. Rochester is also shown to be very kind, caring and considerate at various points throughout the novel, and if we start to question Jane's manipulation of her memory/the text then that has to encompass both the bad things and the good. Enjoy the event at Foyles! x
I wonder if there will ever be a sequel of Jane Eyre to answer your "What happens when Mr Rochester gets his sights back? What happens when he regains his power?....."
I think one interesting answer to your question of "What happens when Rochester gets his sight/strength back?" lies in the fact that the story ends. Throughout the book we see Jane struggling to get her power, to gain and maintain independence. But she must also balance this with her role as a woman in Victorian society and she struggles to find the independence she craves as she is constantly pushed back by the constraints of her position in society. The story begins not at the start of her life but at the start of her journey towards independence. She finally pushes back against her cousins and aunt, she gets sent to school, she becomes a teacher, then a governess. Each progression through her life brings her closer to her goal of independence, but we still see the societal constraints holding her back from her full potential. When she finally achieves the pinnacle of power and independence that is possible for a woman of her societal standing, she is ultimately pulled back by a man. Bertha dies. Jane becomes his wife. Rochester regains his strength. The story ends.
Do you have any essay tips, this has really helped with content but I always find it hard to plan and relay my thoughts in my essays (i am an A Level student)?
Jean might - over at BookishThoughts :)
I love Jane Eyre‼️
For me I think Jane and Edward's has stregethened, as now he can help her with their babies‼️
My mind is blown.
if i wasn't excited to read jane eyre before, i am now!
:D hope you love it!
I LOOOOOVED THIS. (a five-o kind of love)
+Imane :D
When I hear you talking about Jane Eyre, I feel like I have never read the book.... (and a bit stupid) I would have never ever noticed all those themes and details...
+mrsdeWilde Noooo don't feel stupid! Jane Eyre is a great book to go into with a pen and underline and examine but I don't read every single book as closely as I did this one :) x
Jen Campbell Thnx, you're sweet. :)
Where did you get that copy?
It’s linked in the video description.
Thank you!
I've tried several times now, but for some reason this video won't load/play past a minute. And I desperately want to hear your thoughts on Jane Eyre :(
+Anne Fien Have you tried clicking on a point further on in the video? This doesn't appear to be happening to anyone else - so might be best to restart Chrome/whatever program you're using :)
It worked in Safari, so thankfully I've now seen it :) I loved it
What a fascinating analysis of Jane Eyre, I really enjoyed watching this! Jane Eyre is one of my absolute favourite novels of all time, but I haven't actually read it in over a decade, so you've certainly inspired me to re-read it in a bit more depth! :)
+violettiger21 I don't think I'd read it in about ten years, too - it was fun to revisit it; I recommend :) x
This was my second time reading it. I loved it so much more this time, though my anger about being locked in an attic was strong! Please do a book inspired by video yes yes! I do find the constant push of hysteria an interesting topic and how in the psychiatric world of that time being locked in an attic was in fact a form of kindness. To not send someone to an asylum full of screams and filth and death. Anyway thank you for a lovely video what a pleasure to read this again
+acacia ives A kindness but also a way to escape social embarrassment; it's definitely a fascinating, and troubling, area to research! x
+Jen Campbell oh for sure I'm hoping to really do a more in depth conversation of the treatment of the mentally ill over time. So I'm excited to work on that project. But I very much need to get my research and facts down and ready. Any books you stumble on in your travels for disability for the mentally ill let me know it's be a great help to me :)
+acacia ives Will do :)
this was great, thank you :))
🙌📖💚
I'm thinking of reading Jane Eyre... But i'm hearing different reviews about it. But as you were saying about Jane not bringing out her femininity, shes very closed in.... so to speak. As you said about the red room, and seeing it as a womb. Can they not express their feminine side at all, i know its old fashioned, and women seem to be repressed in those days, having women as lower class to men etc. But not its equality, women now days are equal to men! 21st century and all that! lol Which i think is write, woman are and always will be equal to men!!
I did a review of the book on my channel
I didn't like Jane Eyre that much until I watched this video!
I’ve never bought into the “proto-feminist” narrative of Jane. She is a spirited girl who has learned to harness strength through adversity. Many do, many more don’t. (Men and women)
Also Bertha is creole, aka white settlers.