I'm reading Jane Eyre, for the second time. Bear in mind that I love this book, and I'm a hard one to impress with books of this generic type... i can't stand much of Austen for example, and I have no real wish to attempt much of the rest of the Bronte sisters. But I love Jane Eyre, the only thing is...
she really annoys me.
Currently, Jane is running the school house in the village and has run away from Thornfield, and all I can do is think go back! silly woman, Mr.Rochester loves you!! And I know all of the reasons why she won't go back, and I understand them... I'd feel like a mistress too, and his crazy old wife is a bit of a put-off, but still...he loves her. and perhaps naively, and without a hint of cynicism, i do wholly believe in love.
I also understand why Jane doesnt feel like the fact he loves her is a good enough reason to go back. After all, old Edward has a bit of a promiscuous past, she doesn't want to feel the guilt and shame of being his mistress, and the crazy lady in the attic probably doesn't do much for his reputation. still, Jane... he LOVES YOU WOMAN!
Maybe I need to chill out. I know I wouldn't love the book nearly as much as I do if it was all happy go lucky and wonderful, and her and Mr.Rochester lived happily after ever. and, of course, Jane's night out on the moors, yet again moved me to tears. But still.
He loves you, Jane!!
at least i have the comfort that i know what happens at the end. My apologies to those who don't, and let me console you... it's lovely, and tragic, and wonderful all at the same time.
so i think I forgive Jane for not going back. After all, I do have a strange soft spot for Mr.St John Rivers =)
Yeah, I find when the protagonist is clearly, as a literary device, being stupid, it's terribly frustrating.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm gutted I wasn't your first follower.