From BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour;
"Is it not an odd tale?"
Jane Eyre
Yes it is an exceedingly odd tale.
Yes it is!
And yet, Sandy, I'm going to make it my classic for April!
No way! Now that is dedication, cause I know how much the movie didn't work for you.
I want to read a long! I'd like to revisit it and this is a good excuse and besides, if you're willing to read it, it's the least I could do to lend moral support.
The excerpt I heard between StJohn and Jane was amazing! The writing is extremely powerful. It seems Bronte set herself the challenge of the dumbest plot contrivances ever to see if people still liked her writing. How StJohn and her were connected is pretty dumb and they left it out of that film I think. But it sounded marvellous so screw the plot.
Yes, that plot point is the dumbest! But getting a wonderful character such as Jane, who cares?
And you're right, the movie version you saw didn't have the connection, thank heaven!
I hadn't heard of these BBC radio episodes before, but will listen in to the rest. The editing is really great, but there's a cute line it left out when Jane finds out their connection. Referring back to something he had chastised her for earlier, he says, "Did I not say you neglected essential points to pursue trifles? You were serious when I told you
you had got a fortune; and now, for a matter of no moment, you are excited."
There is so much in the book, that isn't here, especially the mind games he plays with Jane to persuade her. It's pretty horrific.
My favorite line from the radio episode is, "If I join St. John, I abandon half myself." She means the parts of her he is taking away, but I'd like to think she's also talking about Rochester being her other half." I get to interpret the way I want to, yes?
Also a Michael Kimmel (no idea about spelling) was on. He is a profeminist. He says he is not a feminist. To be a feminist would require some experience of the female condition which no man can claim. Somewhat like a civil rights campaigner going so far as to say they are black when they aren't.
Going back to books he remarked on how Jane Austen or the Brontes books were seen as having gender themes. Whereas Dickens is not seen as a masculine themed author. Even though his main titles are about young men looking for fathers! Love the perspective.
I got to listen in to some of this as well. I like his matter of fact way of expressing ideas and how he approaches the way to get men on board. It's that Yes, yes, salesmanship method. Do you have a sister or mother? Do you care about them? Do you want them to thrive?
Yes. Much better than calling them out.
The best line:
The Objective Truth: Men and woman are different.
The Moral Truth: It's irrelevant. (paraphrase; my memory's not that good)
My truth:
Men and women are different, Hallelujah!
Haha! Oh yeah!
Yes I'd love that read along. I'll keep you up to date on my progress and know I can give you my impressions as I'm reading. Brilliant! I've got no doubt that the characterisation is going to be a pleasure from what I heard. Ice and fire. She can't be his wife because she will turn to ice. Yes he manipulates her into learning another language. It's very spare dynamic writing. I was instantly hooked. I won't listen to the last part today to keep it fresh.
I'm glad you could dip into that show. Woman's hour is a great show and it's fascinating to hear a proper perspective on all sorts of matters even from my lack of womanness!
Yes, ice.
That jerk.
Looking forward to hearing about what works and what doesn't in the story and the style of writing. I believe you will find out more what's in a woman's heart and mind than even the BBC Women's hour!