Jane Eyre

Charlotte Brontë

1847

February, 2024

8/10

The first thing to stand out is the beautiful, long-lost, 1800s prose — the best writing of any book I have ever read. Second is the eloquently elaborated interpersonal dynamics that are immediately set into play.

The common theme is that of simply living. Jane is quick to experience the full breadth of life — from the highest highs to the lowest lows, all while maintaining her stolid countenance as imposed by a Christian "upbringing."

The book reminds me of Stoner in its ability to convey the feeling of living another life entirely: all the depths of thought and feeling. However, Jane Eyre leans far too much into romance. A lot of the depth is lost to utter miracles which are simply too perfect of situations.

Nevertheless, I believe Brontë perfectly captures the human condition through her exasperation at gendered oppression:

It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquillity: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it. Millions are condemned to a stiller doom than mine, and millions are in silent revolt against their lot. Nobody knows how many rebellions besides political rebellions ferment in the masses of life which people earth. Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts, as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint, too absolute a stagnation, precisely as men would suffer; and it is narrow-minded in their more privileged fellow-creatures to say that they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting stockings, to playing on the piano and embroidering bags. It is thoughtless to condemn them, or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex.

The final third of the book is rather all-over-the-place. In addition to the miracles, there is unending gospel-preaching. Up to that point, the book is excellent. Afterwards, it is a slow decline.

In any case, it puts Never Let Me Go to utter and absolute shame. When a book like Jane Eyre exists, I question what has happened to the world such that Never Let Me Go is so highly praised and popular.