Readers' Review: "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-04-27/readers-review-jane-eyre-charlotte-bronte
The namesake of Charlotte Bronte’s novel, “Jane Eyre,” is a heroine for the ages. She begins life as an orphan, attends a miserable school, becomes a governess, and eventually marries her true love. And she does it all with a sense of integrity and independence. Perhaps that’s why her story, first published in 1847, still resonates with readers today. When Charlotte Bronte published her novel under the pseudonym Currer Bell, it became an instant hit. Jane was a new kind of character, who defied class and gender. In a key scene she proclaimed, “Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless?” A Readers’ Review of Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre.”
Guests
Maureen Dowd
New York Times columnist
Syrie James
author of "The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte" and "The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen"
John Pfordresher
professor of English at Georgetown University
Comments
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Why is it that the Bronte sisters only managed to produce one great novel a piece, as opposed to Jane Austen or Elizabeth Gaskell?
p.s. Please say hi to Syrie for me, tell her this is the Heidi from the JASNA (Jane Austen Society of North America)
Love your conversation. We just watched the A & E version and reread the novel. My 14 year-old daughter just read it for the first time. My favorite scene is when she leaves Mr. Rochester. She leaves with barely any money and she is alone on the moors. She is alone, friendless, hungry and treated with suspicion. I love her integrity! Reading this scene can bring me to wailing! Joni
I first read Jane Eyre in the summer after college graduation, as I went through a phase of reading all the great novels I had missed. (I was a biology major). I loved the first half of the story, when Jane is a child, because I could relate to her. The second half of the book, I did not really appreciate.
Recently, I discovered that Jane Eyre is available as a free eBook, and I read it again. This time, I loved the second half of the book too. I'm now 46, and all I can say is that I can appreciate Jane's love for Rochester now, because I have experienced being in love. At 22, I was not yet able to relate.
I think that there is something to be said for reading Jane Eyre before the onset of adult cynacism sets in. I was around 12 when I read this book. I am an avid bibliophile and have never since been as stunned or shocked as I was to discover that the mad woman in the attic was Rochester's wife. It was a stand alone moment in my world of literature. Priceless.
I think that there is something to be said for reading Jane Eyre before the onset of adult cynacism sets in. I was around 12 when I read this book. I am an avid bibliophile and have never since been as stunned or shocked as I was to discover that the mad woman in the attic was Rochester's wife. It was a stand alone moment in my world of literature. Priceless.
Watching the current release of Jane Eyre was my first encounter with this story. At a younger age I would not have fully understood. Although, over time I have enjoyed stories by Salinger, Steinbeck, Mark Twain and other writers. The Jane Eyre story is truly a wonderful story about life's values, needs and fears, and impacted me in many ways. I am now reading the book for the first time. Great show. Mahalo SU
I was shocked to hear Mr P say this is a book for 18-20 yr old women
due to the language. This should be read at ages 10-14 (and then right into old age) because of how important she is as a female icon AND because how does Mr P think children learn language if not by reading? I am an attorney and formerly a children's librarian; in both areas one reads the words to learn and relish them. Has he read fairy tales read to 4-8 year olds? This is how one develops language. One wonders where Mr P thinks that a 20 yr old woman will have developed the vocabulary to understand Jane Eyre if she only reads books whose language she has already mastered. You will find very few 10-14 girl readers who were daunted by the Bronte vocabulary.Kudos for the female guests who said age 10!
Fascinating topic. Reminds me that as a child my dad was East Coast rep for 20th Century Fox. In the 1940's they produced the movie Jane Eyre. He took me to the opening at the Roxy Theatre in NYCity. He bought me the wonderful illustrated book available at that time. I still have it and listening to your program am encouraged to re-read it. But I know that I always thought it was darkly wonderfu, and romantic! As I'm now 79 those memories are precious.
Always enjoy Diane's programs, and was fortunate enough to hear her speak when she came to Phoenix with her "newly" written book!.
Sincerely, Mary Baxter
I loved the book, and I was very curious about the wild wife upstairs, did you know that there is a book written bout her, (my library is all packed for moving so I can't tell you the name), but if you google her name, you can find it. It also a great book and adds so much to that character.
our round ball
Copies for the worker, always working.
Each round ball you never copy, comes around.
America which they can pull they push.
Africa the pharmaceutical the children's, candy ate.
China, and paid directly, organs playing monkeys make,
that nothing really is, entirely of.
Each damaged day unmade,
and wear the cloth and pray each night for day.
Create Date : Sunday, May 01, 2011
Is It Poetry
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