Monday, February 28, 2011

JANE EYRE Read-a-Long: Check-in #3

Warning: This post contains spoilers!

I think it's supposed to be Check-in #4 but I guess I'm behind as usual.

Okay, so it's the end of the month and I haven't finished my re-read of Jane Eyre. I'm only a few chapters past where I was the last time; Rochester and Jane are about to get married, literally on their way to the altar.

But I read enough to get to my favorite scene, the scene where Rochester proposes, in the garden at night. I think it's one of the most romantic in all of English literature; it's so passionate. Of books I've read from the era, the only thing that even comes close is the scene at the end of Jane Austen's Persuasion when Wentworth writes the letter to Anne saying "You pierce my soul." Only, Rochester would never write Jane a letter to declare his love. That, to me, is the difference between Charlotte Brontë and Jane Austen;  Austen's men lack passion.

So as far as the re-read goes, it's been a lot of fun. I love having an excuse to revisit an old favorite, and I will finish, and write a proper review, but I just need a little more time.

Thank you so much to Laura of Laura's Review Bookshelf for hosting!

3 comments:

Zibilee said...

I loved this scene too, and was constantly enraptured over Mr. Rochester and the affection that he showed Jane over the last part of the book. It really was amazing for me to read about his passion, because you are so right when you say that he differs so much from Austen's main leads. They are so restrained, and he is just so romantic. I sort of swooned a little bit over him. What a wonderful book it was! A new favorite for me.

ImageNations said...

I am bored that I didn't add this book to my Top 100 reading list challenge instead of Wuthering Heights. I just printed out the transliteration of Joseph's Yorkshire speech. That part has been keeping me behind. I have this book but since I want to attack only books on my challenge lists I am having a problem picking it up. Enjoy the read... I would pick it at a point in time

Anonymous said...

I love the proposal scene, also. Sigh.