"Do you think me handsome?"
Jane:
"No."
Guess you could say I've had a little Jane-on-the-brain.
For anybody who hasn't read JANE EYRE, it's about a young orphan girl who's sent to live with her aunt and uncle. On his deathbed, her uncle makes his wife promise to care for little Jane, as her "own." The opposite happens: instead, her aunt severely mistreats her, then banishes her to live at a special school for girls, where she's abused some more.
At eighteen, Jane leaves the school to accept a position working as a governess, at a large estate. For all of two seconds, I thought, "Finally, the girl can breath." Not quite.
Life changes for her at Thornfield, when she meets Mr. Rochester, a manipulative brute, several years her senior, who keeps a little secret in the attic, and uses every deception at his disposal to win her over.
Maybe it's the contradictions in Jane's character that make her so irresistible. She's sensible and intelligent, yet so starved for love and affection (a kind word!), that she nearly falls for Mr. Rochester's machinations, too easily. Yes, she should know better.
In the end, I respect her, but continue to wonder, why I can't get Jane out of my brain.
Any characters you've been trying to rid yourself of, lately?
Mr. Rochester
"Jane, be still; don't struggle so, like a wild frantic bird that is rending its own plumage in its desperation."
Jane Eyre
"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will,
which I now exert to leave you."
(LOL -- love this! "Shove it, pal.")
WOW! The trailer above sucked me in! I've got to see this! How did I miss this? Not sure. So glad you participated in "Siete."
ReplyDeleteThis looks absolutely fabulous amiga! So excited to see this!
Thank you for tagging me, amiga! I've had fun with "Siete" and enjoyed learning more about my bloggy friends. You will enjoy this movie. Jane Eyre is a wonderful female protagonist. She actually kicks some serious butt! Strong, sassy, outspoken and independent. My kind of female role-model. <3
ReplyDeleteI also have been fascinated with Jane, though it comes and goes. I think there is something alluring and medievally (?) romantic about doing something foolish for love, falling for the brute knowing there is kindness in him. Beauty and the Beast is a staple for women as La Traviata is for men. Maybe deep down we all want to feel that love can make us see beauty where no one else can and that the power of love can turn broken, ruined people into gentle, loving souls. It's a tricky illusion, of course, but it does explain why teenage girls love a long-haired boy on a motorcycle.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of these movies, but the story gives a good classic. However, I am not too fond of characters that suffer so much. I rather the feisty type. :)
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