Book Review on Jane
Jane Eyre, one of the most famous works of Charlotte Bronte ’ s, is an inspiring story. Through a series of troublesome situations between Jane and Mr. Rochester, the author sets up a great female image before readers: insisting on maintaining an independent personality, pursuing individual freedom, advocating equality of life and being confident despite hard conditions.
In my opinion, Jane Eyre is an autobiography of Charlotte Bronte. Although the story was made up, the heroine’s life and the environment in the story were taken from the details of real people around and their experiences. Charlotte Bronte described Jane’s struggling life to express her inner thought: everyone is equal regardless of his or her gender.
The uniqueness of Jane Eyre not only lies in its truth and the strong artistic appeal, but also lies in the particular female image. As a tough girl, Jane impresses me intensely with her self-respect and selfless love.
One of Jane ’ s impressive personalities is her self-respect. Deprived of family happiness from an early age, with neither beauty nor wealth to speak of, she seemed to be never destined to become the heroine shining in the spotlight we often read about in romances. But she didn ’ t think there was really such a thing called destiny. Instead, she believed that she ought to have dignity as well as anyone else and deserved the chance to love and to be loved. Despite her short and delicate body, her soul was not weaker than others—even greater than most of them. As a governess, she dared to say to her master, “ Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! ” Underneath these lines was Jane ’ s awareness of equality, with which she not only gained love, respect and happiness but also proved to the world that nobody was forever an inferior.
Such self-respect was also demonstrated in Jane ’ s affection towards her master, Mr. Rochester. When she found that he had already had a mad wife, she left him and Thornfield. Because if she continued to stay at Thornfield, she would become his mistress, which would inevitably deprive her dignity. She said, “ I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself. ” This is the idea of self-respect in Jane Eyre ’ s mind. She admitted her love for Mr. Rochester, but calmly and rationally, she determined to leave instead of marrying him. It ’ s admirable and lets me feel the power inside her small body.
The other attractive aspect I value very much is Jane ’ s selfless love. After leaving Thornfield, she inherited a wealth of fortune from her uncle which she shared with her three cousins. But when Mr. Rochester lost his eyesight and his body was seriously injured in a conflagration where his wife died and all his property was destroyed, she returned immediately and devoted her love to him. What a great decision for her to go back! If I were her, I couldn't promise to get married with Mr. Rochester who was in such a terrible situation. However, Jane did it with all her heart because she still loved him.
To be honest, I like Jane Eyre , especially the heroine who is a great woman. It ’ s she that raises my awareness of self-respect. Her story makes me think about my future and I learn much from her experiences. After reading the novel, I tend to believe that everyone will have a bright future if one holds his beliefs, regardless of one ’ s status and the situation he is in. Living in this sophisticated society, I may not avoid being influenced by cruel reality, but I can remind myself of her and try to be an independent and strong-minded person who treasures self-esteem and true love.
But I don ’ t totally believe Jane ’ s life story. More specifically, I don ’ t think it can happen to anybody. To me, it ’ s somewhat like a fairy tale that begins with ‘ long long ago ’ and ends with ‘ ever after ’ , in which the prince and princess, though having suffered much in the process of getting together, would always end up in a harmonious marriage and enjoy their best life. Being an obscure woman herself, the author Charlotte Bronte was so generous as to have provided Jane with Mr. Rochester who loved her just the way she did and a kind-hearted family that supported her when she was helpless. In reality, not everyone can meet the proper people at the right time, just as not every ugly duckling can turn into a graceful swan—it may be a matter of luck.
However, only with her own effort and strong spirit, Jane could overcome various difficulties. In this sense, she sets a shining example for me. Perhaps this is what Jane Eyre is for. It gives numerous people a possibility to strive for a better life by themselves instead of relying on others.
京公网安备 11010802032529号