You'd think the message of Jane Eyre is easily understood, but according to the
Huffington Post feminists and women in general have been wrong to think the novel was on their side:
Plus, in addition to movies, literature -- often taught in women's lit courses -- also teaches women to lust after men in a position of money and authority. Jane Eyre is required reading in many schools, and what does the heroine Jane do? She, the lowly poor tutor, falls for her rich boss, Mr. Rochester, and is in ecstasy when he deigns to fall in love with her, too. So think about it -- we're actually schooled to believe that it's desirable to date the boss. (Bonnie Fuller)
Her convictions, then, must have made her stop reading halfway through the novel, as she seems to have missed a good many things that came later like the following:
"Oh, comply!" it said. "Think of his misery; think of his danger -- look at his state when left alone; remember his headlong nature; consider the recklessness following on despair -- soothe him; save him; love him; tell him you love him and will be his. Who in the world cares for you? or who will be injured by what you do?"
Still indomitable was the reply -- "I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad -- as I am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth -- so I have always believed; and if I cannot believe it now, it is because I am insane -- quite insane: with my veins running fire, and my heart beating faster than I can count its throbs. Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by: there I plant my foot." (Jane Eyre, ch. XXVII)
To us that is a bit more than just being 'schooled to believe that it's desirable to date the boss'. And on the topic of sexual harassment - which is what the article is about - that quotation would have come in much handier than a totally wrong and misleading statement.
The
Visalia Times-Delta celebrates that 70th anniversary of the best year of films as follows:
... we thought we’d make suggestions for a mini film festival. We paired up a 1939 film with a modern title. (James Ward)
And here's the somewhat strange pairing for Wuthering Heights:
“Wuthering Heights”
Director William Wyler brought Emily Brontë’s classic Gothic romance to life, with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon as the star-crossed lovers, Heathcliff and Cathy.
Modern film: Keira Knightley shines in “Pride & Prejudice,” a bubbly adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel. (James Ward)
Not quite the combination we would have expected, to be honest.
New Scientist reviews Brian Dillon's
Tormented Hope. Charlotte Brontë is quoted:
Of Charlotte Brontë, Dillon writes, "It is only by falling ill that she can find for herself the right kind of solitude, in which to invent her future self." (Amanda Gefter)
The Buffalo News has an article on
Ayaan Hirsi Ali and her book Infidel. During her childhood in Kenya, she is said to have
read Nancy Drew, Charlotte Bronte, Harlequin romances. (Jean Westmoore)
As for blogs,
The Heart of Haworth has posted more feedback and suggestions from visitors to the Parsonage.
Rotten Tomatoes My Way writes about Jane Eyre and
Let Me Digress posts about Rochester. Also,
Flickr user lizziep2 has uploaded a few pictures of Wycoller Hall, the supposed model for Ferndean.
Ο Ερευνητής της Βέροιας writes a brief biography of Charlotte Brontë in Greek and
Wandeca Reads gives 5/5 to Syrie James's
The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë.
Fly High! has been watching a few film versions of Wuthering Heights.
Categories: Books, Haworth, Jane Eyre, Movies-DVD-TV, Wuthering Heights
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