1. Read the brief Slate article from 2011, called "Why are there so many movie adaptations?" (linked below). Other than the first one, you probably have not seen the versions they discuss, but you don't need to in order to discuss the topic at hand. This writer discusses the many challenges a director takes on when adapting Jane Eyre, including such issues as Rochester's and Jane's age difference, the fact that he is her employer, the wife in the attic, etc. Consider the author's term "creep factor." First, do you agree with her application of the term to the 1943 film? Why/why not? Second, discuss it with regard to the 2011 film and ways in which it handled the situation--for better or worse.
2. We didn't spend much class time discussing Adele. What do you think is her significance in the story? If she didn't exist, Jane would never have gone to Thornfield and met Rochester. Surely, though, her presence is more than just a means of getting Jane to Thornfield, right? What does she add to the story? How does she interact with other characters and what does this reveal about those characters? What might she represent to Jane herself.
3. In a way, Thornfield is a big house full of misfits. Each resident is different from all other residents. They each have shady, mysterious, or unhappy back stories. Other than their address, none of them really has much in common, and nothing significantly ties them all together, in terms of background and situation up until the end of the novel. But Bronte creates a strong dynamic between them, sort of a finely tuned ecosystem. First, discuss your thoughts on this idea with regard to the book. Second, what are some challenges film directors and performers might face when dramatizing this dynamic? How does either the 1943 or 2011 version tackle it?
4. Bertha. What do we do about Bertha? Was she just an impediment between Jane and Rochester, conveniently disposed of later? Certainly that wasn't Bronte's intention. First, discuss what she represents. What does she represent in/for Jane? -OR- What does she represent in/for Rochester? Second, go deeper than just 'representation.' She is a human, just like Jane and the others, and maybe it isn't fair of readers to manipulate her as only a symbol of something else. While she is symbolic and representative of tensions, anxiety, and a host of other psychological possibilities, she has her own life story and, one could argue, deserves to be handled by readers with the same humanity as we offer Jane. Without turning it into a rant about Rochester's choices (there is plenty of reason for that, absolutely, but keep the focus on Bertha here), talk about Bertha. How does Bronte treat her? How do you situate her in the story? Also, you might consider the segment you read of Wide Sargasso Sea.
5. Redemption. Everybody deserves another chance, and everybody deserves some amount of forgiveness. Has Rochester redeemed himself by the end? Is he worthy of Jane?
6. This novel didn't have to be told with Gothic conventions. The story does not require it. So why is the Gothicism such an important, almost defining element? How does terror and supernatural interact with the story (and elements of the story, like characters, theme, etc.)? The Gothic is an irresistible genre for filmmakers, which could be part of why so many movie versions of Jane Eyre exist. Compare how the 1943 and 2011 films represent the Gothic.
Charlotte Bronte and the Bronte Family
This is the official website for the Bronte's home, which today serves as the headquarters of the International Bronte Society, as well as the Bronte museum and archive.
A tourist and informational website about what's come to be known as 'Bronte Country' in west Yorkshire, England. Check out some of the photos of the moors and other landscape features that contribute greatly to the mood and setting of Jane Eyre and other novels by the Bronte sisters.
Jane Eyre (Most of these have or at least hint at spoiler info. You are warned.)
Sent to the asylum: The Victorian women locked up because they were suffering from stress, post natal depression and anxiety
A little bit of cheerful information about insanity and asylums in the Victorian era. The purpose of this will be clearer if you have finished the novel.
A little bit of cheerful information about insanity and asylums in the Victorian era. The purpose of this will be clearer if you have finished the novel.
From The Huffington Post: a WAY cheesy and oversimplification of the novel and the character, but, hey, it's not bad advice for anyone (man or woman).
From The Guardian in 2011: A question we will absolutely consider as we discuss the films.
There are lots of these sort of "best book ever written' lists out there, so take this with a grain of salt. This is a brief article about why this particular list chose Jane Eyre.
From Slate in 2011: Another 'why so many?' article (there are TONS), but this is has a bit of a humorous tone, in which the writer discusses the 'creep factor' of each one. Sorta funny, but definitely a question worth considering.
Clothes and Fashion of the Day
Keep in mind that these cover the entire Victorian Era, which spans six decades. Fashion in the late 1840s and early 1850s (Bronte period) will be somewhat different from fashion in later Victorian decades. For example, when we get to Sherlock Holmes stories at the turn of the century, you will notice some changes from what we might imagine for Jane Eyre.
Clothing from the Victoria & Albert Museum collection
Portraits of Queen Victoria, from the National Portrait Gallery in London
Loose Book and Film Adaptations
The Eyre Affair, book by Jasper Fforde
Crazy, funny dystopian, alternate universe sort of retelling of Jane Eyre. Part sci-fi, part mystery, part I can't even fully explain it. But it's a fun easy read. If you decide you like Bronte's novel, consider this as a spring break or summer read. The link above takes you to the author's website.
Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys
Fantastic, amazing novel. This came out in 1966 and is not so much a retelling of Jane Eyre, as it is sort of an imagined prequel told from Bertha's point of view (that is a vague spoiler if you haven't finished Jane Eyre). It's intense and dark and might change the way you think of Bronte's novel. If nothing else, it reveals the deep complexities in Jane Eyre that can sometimes be overlooked in pop culture, and which show that Jane Eyre is far more ambiguous than it might first seem. It forces us (if we hadn't already from Bronte's novel) to really think/rethink Rochester. And do not assume Bronte didn't want Rochester to be that complex and dark. Wide Sargasso Sea is now considered an important work in literary studies.
Ugly Betty
For real! It didn't become apparent to me until at least a full season or two in, but it's in there.
Clothes and Fashion of the Day
Keep in mind that these cover the entire Victorian Era, which spans six decades. Fashion in the late 1840s and early 1850s (Bronte period) will be somewhat different from fashion in later Victorian decades. For example, when we get to Sherlock Holmes stories at the turn of the century, you will notice some changes from what we might imagine for Jane Eyre.
Clothing from the Victoria & Albert Museum collection
Portraits of Queen Victoria, from the National Portrait Gallery in London
Loose Book and Film Adaptations
The Eyre Affair, book by Jasper Fforde
Crazy, funny dystopian, alternate universe sort of retelling of Jane Eyre. Part sci-fi, part mystery, part I can't even fully explain it. But it's a fun easy read. If you decide you like Bronte's novel, consider this as a spring break or summer read. The link above takes you to the author's website.
Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys
Fantastic, amazing novel. This came out in 1966 and is not so much a retelling of Jane Eyre, as it is sort of an imagined prequel told from Bertha's point of view (that is a vague spoiler if you haven't finished Jane Eyre). It's intense and dark and might change the way you think of Bronte's novel. If nothing else, it reveals the deep complexities in Jane Eyre that can sometimes be overlooked in pop culture, and which show that Jane Eyre is far more ambiguous than it might first seem. It forces us (if we hadn't already from Bronte's novel) to really think/rethink Rochester. And do not assume Bronte didn't want Rochester to be that complex and dark. Wide Sargasso Sea is now considered an important work in literary studies.
Ugly Betty
For real! It didn't become apparent to me until at least a full season or two in, but it's in there.
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