Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte | Analysis

Hello, I’m Jen - I’m the author of the Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops series, The Bookshop Book and The Hungry Ghost Festival. Click 'Show More' for more info on the books mentioned in this video

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BOOKS MENTIONED

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NB This is not a sponsored video, and unless otherwise stated all books were bought by me.

[enzopotel]

It´s so rare to see a booktuber dive this way in a book! Amazing video.

[jamiedianne]

Lots of symbolism I hadn't picked up on before! MY MIND IS SO FULL NOW.

[hellebartelsen]

I think it is great that people can find so much reflected in Jane Eyre but I am always wary of reading too many modern concepts into a work that was written much earlier. I mainly see Jane Eyre as being about faith, which is an aspect that is hardly ever touched upon but is evident throughout the book. Her struggle to assert herself as an equal is part of that, reflecting that true love can only exist among equals as all are equal before God. The last third of the book is Jane finally coming to terms with the perceived Christian duty of the time (i.e. St. John and his missionary work) and her own view that following your heart to live a life in love, being kind and fair, living in partnership rather than subservience are true Christian virtues that are as important, if not more,  as eradicating the self in pursuit of a meaningful life as St. John does. There is a point to the very last sentence in the novel being about St. John. But I keep finding new things in it as well! One of my absolute favourite books.

[valeusagi]

I've never thought about fairytales references ! Really illuminating, thanks Jen :)

[winkshilaria]

You are so incredibly articulate and your analyses are extremely profound. Definitely made me want to pick up Jane Eyre again. Please do more of these types of videos! I would love to hear your thoughts on various other classics! xxxx

[utterlyuncool]

This is the kind of content I would constantly watch! For a non native reader who hasn't really studied English literature (just briefly in high school which equals to nothing) this is the perfect guidance on how to read such relevant books! Thank you Jen.

[TomesAndTravel]

This was such an interesting video! I love it when you do in-depth discussions and in this one you raised so many great points. I remember analysing the mirroring of Jane and Bertha during my English Literature A-Level in light of the theme of isolation and how it both helps and hinders the characters (I looked at the extension of the theme in Wide Sargasso Sea too).

[Maria_Efe]

Wow, this is one of my favourite videos of yours! I didn't join the read-along, because I have already read Jane Eyre twice, the last time being a few months ago. I have only read it translated in greek though, which makes me think I have missed some of its greatness! Your analysis is amazing, it made me realize how superficially I've been seeing this story all this time. I'd also love to see you talking about books inspired by Jane Eyre!

[SophieCarlon]

I didn't join in on the read along, but I'm trying to improve my ability to analyse books and my literary theory knowledge so after this I think I'll re-read it with what you've said in the back of my mind. And then read wide sargasso sea for the challenge of more analysing. : )

[anettebecker]

Absolutely brilliant video! I took part in the readalong, it was my second time reading Jane Eyre after a lot of time. I never even noticed most of these things. Your analysis shows me that Jane Eyre is even more brilliant than I thought! Thanks so much for this!

[Amateur_Pianist_]

Your ability to analyse is incredible, you should be paid doing this as a profession.

[englishanna]

Very interesting take on the book thank you. However the meaning of words changes over time; I seriously doubt that Charlotte Bronte was making any sexual references when she used the verb ejaculate. At the time it just meant exclaim, call or cry out

[maryambatool]

Oh my God. This is easily one of my favourite videos. And Jane Eyre is one of my all-time favourites.

[indubitablyzara]

I read Jane Eyre 10+ years ago in middle school and I didn't really study or analyze it at the time, so it's fascinating to hear you discuss some of the symbolism and deeper elements - it definitely makes me want to re-read it!

[sarafan]

Fascinating to hear you talk about the book! Despite studying this book in a lot of detail durnig my undergrad, I really feel I can now see Jane Eyre from an entirely different perspective; I must go and reread it soon!

[niathomas]

I'm studying Jane Eyre for A Level English and it is so interesting to head your thoughts on things I've not yet picked up on!

[k-m___]

As soon as I saw that this video existed, I almost wanted to savour it forever and not watch it immediately but I caved, and just as I expected I LOVED IT

[Liz]

I would love to have a video of books that have been inspired by Jane Eyre!! I've never read "Wide Sargasso Sea", because I quite like Rochester in the book and his relationship with Jane, the way they joked with each other, the way they were equal (to me), so I thought I wouldn't like the "prequel" as it definitively painted him as a villain, no? Anyway, I would love to hear your thoughts on that book and others inspired by Jane Eyre as well.

[rosiereadsbooks]

This was an absolutely fantastic analysis of Jane Eyre - I feel like I've gained an even deeper understanding of one of my favourite novels. I always find the ending really jarring (but fascinating), it never quite sits well with me.
I found it interesting when I read that, whilst Charlotte was writing Jane Eyre, she accompanied her father to hospital while he had a cataracts operation (a lot less straight forward, and more risky, than it is now!). It's possible this may have had an influence on the idea of Rochester losing his sight and gaining it again.

[niamhw]

This is my lazy Sunday morning attempt at A Level revision hahah, thank you for the point about the women's names, I never noticed the pagan undertones and I didn't notice the point about "Mason" being house and containment. Those are going in my essays !!