Jane Eyre ( Barnes & Noble Classic Series)
Author: Charlotte Bronte ( Introduction and Notes by Susan Ostrov Weisser)
Publication date: January 1, 2005
Lisandra’s Thoughts:
I can honestly say that Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is my favorite literary novel of the 19th century. For starters, the author was the eldest of three sisters who all achieved recognition for their writing during a time when women were just beginning to be acknowledged in literature. In this coming-of-age novel, the main character, Jane, is an orphan living in England in 1847 with her abusive wealthy aunt and insensitive cousins. Jane is constantly neglected and mistreated by her family because of her social status and "plain" beauty.
During this time, physical beauty was highly valued, and Jane was not your average child; she was "plain" yet very intellectual. Both children and women were expected to be "seen and not heard," and intelligence was often viewed as arrogance and disobedience. Jane's character is brave and courageous because she stands up for herself without fear of the consequences, which is a remarkable trait for women both in her time and today.
As she grows, Jane embarks on a path of her own as a teacher and falls in love with a man named Mr. Rochester, who is unattainable due to his past. Mr. Rochester is married to a beautiful Creole woman who has gone mad and is referred to as "the madwoman in the attic" because she has been locked away from civilization. Racism, as we know, is still very prominent today, but it was even more so centuries ago. This novel depicts the cruel measures that people of color sometimes faced.
Due to the different social classes in the novel, one can identify who was rich and who was poor based on the materials of the clothes worn by the wealthy. Before the Industrial Revolution (1700s-1800s), many could not afford to wear silk, velvet, and furs because they were difficult to manufacture, so people often wore cotton. After this era, silk became more accessible, yet it was still considered prestigious, much like today.
Recommendation:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is a great read for those who enjoy long coming-of-age novels. It is also an excellent choice for those wanting to learn about historical events that took place during the 19th century, as well as themes such as religion, gender roles, racism, and social class.
Quote from text: "...ladies, now entered the room. They ought to have come a little sooner to have heard his lecture on dress, for they were splendidly attired in velvet, silk, and furs. The two younger of the trio had grey beaver hats, then in fashion..." (Brontë 1.7.32-33)