I have always loved books and reading, and have read classics such as Animal Farm to books such as Harry Potter and loved them. And then I read Jane Eyre. Don't get me wrong, I liked certain parts, but it just seems overrated to me. Compared to books such as Narnia, I don't think it measures up. So I was just wondering if you liked the book, what made you like it? Why is it such a huge literary classic today?
2007-01-26 04:57:50 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I know what you mean. When I read a Harry Potter I enjoy reading it more than I did, say... Pride and Prejudice or Macbeth. However, these Classics as you call them have earned the title. They stood the test of time. Stories like Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice acts like a foundation to most modern stories. How many times have we seen the plot of Jane Austin novels played out right before our eyes on both film and print.
About Jane Eyre. You have to appriciate it for what it is.
A look at the horrible conditions orphans are subject to.
A coming of age story
A triumph of good over evil.
True love
The reason why Vanity is a deadly sin.
And ofcourse immorality, punishment and forgiveness.
Surly you must have seen what a gem of a character Mr. Rochester was. To make the book more intersting ask youself. What you would have done if you were Jane. Would you leave Mr. Rochester after you promised him that you wouldn't abandon him.
If you were Mr. Rochester, would you want to marry another woman even if you were married. DId Mr. Rochester deserved what he got because of his stupid Vanity. Was his treatment of Adele fair as the child who adored him inspite of himself.
Also look at the irony in the fact that Jane ends up richer then all her relatives that treated her horribly and notice the effect of her friend who died at school on her. Her patience with Mrs. Reed when she was dying. look at her more closely. You will only love her if you study her.
You see it's no work to enjoy Harry Potter because the story tells you what to think of the characters but books like Jane Eyre you really have to appricate it for the characters and thier flaws and how the overcome thier flaws.
2007-01-26 08:54:57 · answer #1 · answered by toonmili 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I kind of know what you mean, I think you have to remember what was sensational, frightening and exciting at the time it was first published is not necessarily the case today, i.e. an independant girl striving in the world alone, the crazy first wife in the attic, the thrill of the romance etc. I think it was also deemed a classic because it was written with such passion and such a sense of the of clear understanding of human emotion form a Victorian girl who seemingly lived a conventional and protected life. Sometimes it's as much about the history behind the book as well as the book itself.
2007-01-26 05:10:47 · answer #2 · answered by bumbleboi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both are great, but WH is by far my favorite. Jane Eyre is really romantic, but I sort of felt like that was it. Wuthering Heights has much more passion and drama. It has love in it but is not just about love. I sort of liked the fact that none of the characters are likeable, it made the book more interesting. Didn't charlotte bronte publically say that she did not like wuthering heights because it was so dark? I think she said that she did not think that characters as evil as Heathcliff should be written. The credit for the book should be attributed to the writer, Emily, who is most talented in my opinion. edit: I agree with you about charlotte promoting the book, I just find her views on it interesting. I guess I felt that in JE all of the characters were almost too "good" and moral to the point where it was almost boring. Someone mentioned once that they liked JE because they were an optimist, and good can be seen in all of the characters. I'll admit that im a pessimist, and maybe I like WH because it demonstrates shows a world where all of the characters are "bad". Its also interesting to think that maybe charlotte and emily had different views on life, positive or negative, and that is why they had such different works. Just a thought...
2016-05-24 02:12:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you have to study Jane Eyre for some reason or other...don't let it bother you. People have different tastes...that is why there are different genre's.
I had to read "Heart of Darkness" for my degree, and it was only after I'd read it several times did I "get it"...but it's supposed to be a classic. I think Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights is a much better book, but like I said it's all about taste...or we wouldn't have the huge choice we have today.
2007-01-26 09:56:51 · answer #4 · answered by i_am_jean_s 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are comparing books that are in different genres. Sometimes people have very broad tastes and like a variety of styles of fiction. It is really not possible to compare Jane Eyre to anything but other novels written in the same era and with a similar plot. Jane Eyre is a sad story,an orphaned child sent to live with a cruel aunt, sent to eventually to live in an orphanage etc etc. It is about the resilient nature of the human spirit. I do like the book but I have to be in the right mood to read it again.
2007-01-26 07:12:00 · answer #5 · answered by lizzie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you crave constant excitement and action in your reading, then classic books like Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights are not really for you. Suggest you stick to Narnia or James Bond. This is simply individual preference, learn to live with it and be happy. I suppose I'm a lucky sort of person because I can read all manner of literature and enjoy it; e.g. classical, technical, or popular modern. I have to admit to you that Jane Eyre really turns me on much more than any modern heroine; it's her vulnerability and her 'damsel in distress' demeanour that I love.
Happy reading ------------ Benvee
2007-01-26 08:20:11 · answer #6 · answered by BENVEE 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of the things about Jane Eyre is the language which is so intricate, and in comparison with books of today complex . I think that's one of the things I love about that book. And the fact that the characters are so interesting and so in depth. Perhaps you like the quick fix books that rush through scenes. I myself like the build up and deciphering reasons behind the circumstances in the lives of the character's. Also the connection with the author and her historical circumstances make the book even more interesting.
Oh and the fact it has a happy ending helps lol
2007-01-26 05:22:06 · answer #7 · answered by : 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it became a classic because it is well known by many people and that the writer has a perfect story telling talent.The book teaches to be strong and so maybe it is like an advice for little girls. :-))
Just like you ı had read the Little women Story and didn't like it at all. But, Jane has a very interesting life, the way she tries to find happiness is the base of the story...
She always beleives she'll be happy one day and she does...
A happy end is a very good end for me.
Take it Easy :-))
2007-01-26 05:09:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, it's not just any old book that anyone would like - you've got to kind of 'study' it. It was a brilliant novel - the storyline was good and it was so well written!!! Ask any English teacher if you don't believe me.Great description, metaphors etc., very good authorial intention: teaching people how to be in soceity - that's a classic feature of Victorrian-type/style books and authors of that time loved having happy endings and good authorial intention.
2007-01-26 07:27:10 · answer #9 · answered by - 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not quite into it either. I like the 20th Century classics i.e. Ulysses, Portnoy's Complaint, Play It As It Lays.
I like books with much more contemporary language. Don't get me wrong, you all are into Jane Eyre that's aight. . .It's just not my thing.
2007-01-26 10:15:49 · answer #10 · answered by I Am That Yankee Doodle Boy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋