Jane Eyre | Discussing a Complicated Romance
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- Опубліковано 15 чер 2024
- This time, we're talking about Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, first published in 1847. As one of the major classics, there is a lot to say about it, and a lot has already been said. In this video, I will give you my take on the relationship between Jane and Rochester. Please note: This is my personal opinion and interpretation. I am aware that some people might disagree with me, and that is completely okay.
With that being said, I hope you enjoy the video!
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
00:01:06 - PART 1: Synopsis
00:26:36 - PART 2: A Closer Look at Jane
00:30:39 - PART 3: Jane and Rochester - Why did they fall in love?
00:39:27 - PART 4: In Defence of Rochester...
00:44:20 - Conclusion: Is it a dysfunctional romance / relationship?
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From the context, we learn about Jane, her character development from birth, and her struggle. She really is a strong woman who stood for herself and it clearly shows in the point that she left Rochester, this shows her personality and I really liked it. When she became the mistress in the local school and accepted her situation at that moment is really appreciating it. I think she can handle herself in any situation which she learned from her childhood itself.
Jane had definitely been through a lot! I agree that it made her more resilient. I'm sure it made her all the more grateful for the good things as well.
@@ArnellaHobler I wanted to add to this that a great deal of Jane's reshaping, for me, comes from the brief but powerful friendship with Helen Burns, who teaches Janes patience, empathy, and intelligent acceptance of the inevitable. Though we don't hear about Helen in Jane's reflections after Helen's death, she is there, and present in the manner of Jane's quiet but cheeky retorts to Rochester.
I love your review of Jane Eyre! I don’t understand people who judge it unjustly. I agree that Rochester was a bit .. hm how should I say this .. eccentric, and I don’t agree with a lot of his actions, but I love his character, it’s so complex and intriguing. Jane is an amazing character as well, both of them are my favorite characters ever. This book is revolutionary, and I enjoyed this video of yours. Thank you. ☺️
P.S. I hope this isn’t strange to you, but I really like your voice, it’s very sweet.
"Eccentric" is definitely a fitting word! And I agree, the complexity of these characters is what makes this into such an intriguing read.
Oh thank you! It's not strange at all! I'm glad you enjoyed it ☺️
A very good review! I find it interesting how people apparently focus on Bertha when criticizing Rochester. Bc as you said (and i think he also mentions it once?) he could have sent her away to a mental facility and the conditions there were absolutely horrifying. So him keeping her locked away instead, with someone to take care of her was actually a very kind thing in comparison. My problem with him was more how he was always either cold or nice to Jane, manipulated her feelings so she'd fall in love with him and then pretended to wanting to marry Ms Ingram so she'd be jealous. I do like their relationship and i think their feelings are genuine but the way he wooed her never sat right with me.
Thank you, I'm happy you enjoyed it!
Definitely, and I do agree with you there that the way he wooed Jane was very manipulating, especially considering his position of power over her. I really think he is a morally grey character in this regard! Thank you for sharing your thoughts :)
I also don't like how he wooed her. On some level, I get he wanted her to know what it felt like to be jealous since she had little to no experience, but it was unnecessary and unfair of him. She would still fall in love with him, I think, even without the competition.
Kiki, I don’t even mind so much that he manipulated her feelings, as he was inappropriate with his and her position. He put her on the spot in uncomfortable ways, and related his love life to her, which is extremely shocking. Also, intentionally steering conversations out of her depth because of her naïveté.
Inducing jealousy, I can forgive, but the aforementioned things, I just can’t get past.
There's one consideration whether Bertha was mad by herself or she became emotionally volatile because of his temper, cheating and probably abuse, and then he locked he up and her mental state deteriorated to the point of a full blown madness. Rochester could resist his violent urges with Jane because he loved her so much and he was already a mature man. However, it might not have been the case when he was young and felt betrayed by his father who forced some unpleasant lady upon him.
@@pushista9322 I thought the book made it clear it was Bertha that cheated, a lot. Threw temper tantrums with all the household and made it impossible to live with her. Rochester was expecting to have a normal household after his marriage plus he said the whole family was insane. He was in the verge of killing himself. The book made it clear he was the abused one not the abuser. He still did not dump her in an asylum which he could have.
An eloquent and succinct review. I would have stumble and said some unnecessary information, but I'm still practicing. As of last spring I have read JE 3 times. I have mixed feelings about Rochester myself and feel its not as simple as I hate or love him. He is an intriguing and compelling character to read about and my frustration with him makes him a good character. People are messy and far from perfect and Rochester is the most imperfect human being, but perfect character. I've always believed Jane fell for him because he was the first (first that wasn't taken from her) who passionately loved her for who she was as a human being.
That is a good point, that a character isn't bad just because they're imperfect. He does have a lot of layers to him and I found reading their relationship to be very interesting because of this. Glad you enjoyed the video! :)
BTW St John is pronounced Sinjin. From Quora, "It's only pronounced “Sinjin” when it's someone's given name. This is quite common in very posh, very old-fashioned British names (and Saint John as a name is very old-fashioned)."
I mean, why would anyone name a child "saint"?😅
@@pushista9322 Kim kardashian perhaps ?😂😂😂
Being an ardent Jany Eyre's fan I really liked your video. It's nice to hear someone else elaborating the subject again to see it from a different perspective!
Thanks! Happy to hear you enjoyed it 😊
As always, your literary interpretations are delightful. I listen to your videos when I'm writing or editing :) This episode inspired me to dust off my copy of Jane Eyre and give it another read. I feel both love and concern for Mr. Rochester in terms of his ability to be a good husband for Jane. Yet overall, I lean towards feeling compassion for him, and I believe that his complexity is part of what has made him an enduring character over the course of time.
Thank you so much! And I agree with your view on Rochester, his complexity certainly makes him more compelling as a character.
Another great one!
This was so pleasant to listen to. Thank you ☺️
Oh I'm glad you liked it ☺️
I am really enjoying your channel. Thank you.
Thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying it ☺
Thank you so much for your wonderful videos.
Thank you for watching! 😊
You have done it all Arnella. Thumbs up for you.
Thank you 😊
Great video
First of all, a great video once again! But one idea of yours I found especially interesting. You doubt that their relationship could hardly go on smoothly after such a stormy beginning (45:42 ). But why not? If people suit each other and all the obstacles for their being together are removed, why their life can't go on smoothly?
You make a good point! My reasoning was based on the passionate nature of both characters and the dramatic beginning of their relationship, but I suppose the reader isn't really exposed to that calmer state that comes after the so-called honeymoon phase. So yeah, it's definitely possible! Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it!
@@ArnellaHobler Now I understand. I believe many readers wish Jane and Rochester relationship to remain as passionate as it began. But passion is a very intense feeling and can't last long. Besides, is passion really so desirable? In the beginning of course - it brings people together. But they stay together if they can feel at home with one another - peacefully, quietly, without drama and fears. Of course it's only my opinion. My own experience and that of my friends.
Good luck to you and please more videos!
I agree - passion isn't what keeps people together in the long run. I suppose the ending of Jane Eyre becomes less - or more - believable based on whether or not you can picture them as a peaceful, quiet couple without drama, which is why I was a bit doubtful in my discussion. But ultimately, I think it's up to the reader to make their own interpretations :). And yes, working on it! :)
@@lotzek9153 Passion is absolutely desirable. If you're that kind of person, you can't lose it, just respect it and learn to work with it. Majority of people are afraid of that kind of intimacy. Not these two. It is for this reason they could never have been with anyone else. They suit each other for better or for worse. Passion is not always fiery and burning, it can also simmer and glows. I believe in due course of time, they have this type of passion. I don't ever see them losing it towards each other. It's just that they have both been through suffering and have stepped into the second half of their lives.
This is a great question. Makes me want to read Jane Eyre again and break this romance down, lol
I love that there isn't really a clear answer, it all depends on the reader and their perspective! :)
@@ArnellaHobler isn't the truth with SO much writing? Part of why it's such an interesting pursuit!
@@NicoleCreates Indeed it is! And yes! Although it can also be somewhat problematic, for example when sexual violence or rape is romanticised, especially in YA fiction. The author might have intended for the reader to find it unhealthy, but that is no guarantee - hence why sexual violence seems to have become somewhat of a trend in recent years.
@@ArnellaHobler I agree. Especially in YA, when an author intends to show a relationship as unhealthy, they definitely have to make it very clear to the reader.
Two things about Jane/Rochester relationship. It bothers me that he puts Jane on the spot several times right from the beginning. He seems to think that she is there for his amusement. I realize that he likes her right away, but I don’t think that is an excuse. He puts her in several uncomfortable positions, pushing her boundaries. He asks at their very first meeting if she expected a present from him, if she thinks he is handsome, and also got ahold of her art portfolio without asking her permission. She is there to teach Adele. If he likes her beyond that, he could have at least gone about it in a better way. Also talking about his “love” life to her was extremely unprofessional and indiscreet. I feel that Jane could have anc should have had better boundaries with him. There could have been a polite way to let him know that she was only there to be Adele’s governess. Even though she does develop feelings for him, if is still not an excuse in my estimation.
The unconventionality of the difference in their positions. I do not think it was morally wrong to marry a different class, however, it was quite unwise. This should NOT be glossed over, though it is extremely glossed over in the book. How will Jane be received in society alongside her husband? It may seem like a trifle, but I assure you it is not! The relationship does not happen in a vacuum. They must live and exist in society. The strange thing is, in the book, they really don’t. They live out in the middle of nowhere and I suppose they don’t have neighbors or friends? How is that working out for them?
Oh I very much agree in regards to Rochester being inappropriate, but I always saw that as the privilege of the rich. That they could say whatever they want when it came to their staff or lower class people in general. It wasn't until far later that he developed some kind of respect for Jane, and even then it wasn't very straightforward because of his position. Back in these times, it wasn't unusual for a man to disrespect his wife despite her being equal to him in terms of class.
As for your second point, I might be wrong but I seem to remember it being mentioned, particularly as an insecurity of Jane's. And the housekeeper makes a very big deal of it, too. It has been a while since I read it though.
Thank you for your insight. I was under the impression that in those days, strict standards of propriety and politeness were observed. Also, it was my impression that women were treated with much more delicacy than that.
I will have to re-read the book as well! There are so many details, every time I read it, I find new information I didn’t notice before.
@@user-rm7zf4bw2b I wouldn't call myself an expert, it's just my impression. But regardless, I think Rochester is supposed to be a bit of a grey character (morally speaking) so it's nothing strange to find him a bit off-putting at times! I suppose that is what makes this romance such an interesting read. :)
You are right, and Mr. Rochester also essentially says that he is rough around the edges.
At least she got the second name right when ever people say my second name they usually say eerie instead of eyre
No. Pride & Prejudice is a complicated romance.
Jane Eyre is far more than a romance - it's about a woman finding her place in the world. The romance actually occupies not even half the book
I don't get the feeling that you're disagreeing with my statement, but rather my choice to angle my review in the romance direction. I can respect that, it was just a choice I made. I found it fitting given the impact that Rochester had on Jane's life. This does not, however, mean that nothing else happened. It's only a way to simplify the review for the internet and algorithm gods. 🌻
do you think the Bronte sisters have always tried to present religion as a good deed in their works? Was that one of the intentions of their works?
I wouldn't know to be honest, I haven't read all their works and I don't know much about their life in general. But if you compare this to Wuthering Heights for example, I don't believe there is much religious context there at all. But then again it's been a while since I read it.
@@ArnellaHobler Ohh. thanks for answering, and I thought they had strong religious undertones like Samuel Richardson's novels like Pamela, or Clarisa (Victorian novels too).
You do realize the Brontes were daughters of a clergyman, don't you?
I love that the book presents religion
@@cedricalindsay4362 They were indeed, and an unusual one: Mr. Bronte actively encouraged the education and artistic development of his daughters along with his son, even supporting an art exhibit for Charlotte. He also encouraged the wife of one of his closest friends to take her children and leave after learning of the friend's alcoholism and abuse. This was extremely uncommon advice in that period, and I think it influenced Anne Bronte for "Tenant of Wildfell Hall". (FYI that Juliet Barker and Edward Chitham have pretty much quenched the negative tales about Mr. Bronte from Mrs. Gaskell's bio of Charlotte).
Well it is Charlotte Bronte writing this novel. Does she really know how to write from a man's perspective on the whole affair? I doubt it since she and her sisters lived a mostly sheltered life. It's a wonder that the book is as great as it is and the characters are as nuanced as they are.