eng35

Answer discussion question then respond to two students

Question 1

Jane receives two proposals (well, technically three, since Rochester proposes a second time—but let’s stick with the first two) throughout the novel, the first from Rochester, and the second from St John. Compare and contrast the two proposals—which is more romantic? How do both men approach Jane and their feelings for her? What do their proposals tell us about what each man expects from Jane?

Question2

The names of Jane's cousins are?

Question 3

For many of you, this was your first time reading Jane Eyre. I'm interested in knowing your thoughts--what did you think of the book? What did you make of the ending? Did you enjoy reading it, or did you struggle with it? Which parts stood out to you most--either because you enjoyed them, or thought they were strange, or because they resonnated with you? Try to be specific as well as honest--if you tell me you hated the book, I won't take points off! Aim to write ~100 words in response.

Student 1 -walker

I believe Mr. Rochester was telling Jane the truth when he told her"Your mind is my treasure, and if it were broken, it would be my treasure still: if you raved, my arms should confine you, and not a strait waistcoat - your grasp, even in fury, would have a charm for me:"  Mr. Rochester went on for the rest of the chapter explaining how he had a marriage arranged by his father and brother for money and property, later to find out that the woman he married was "Manic" and her mother was "Manic" too, that it ran in the family. Rochester went on to say how miserable and unhappy he was in the marrige. How he felt as if he would never know what is was to be a good husband and have a good wife, to love and be loved. And how the condition of his wife left him no choice but to lock her away and seek companionship elsewhere. Mr. Rochester went on in the chapter explaining to Jane how he travled around looking for a mistress for his pleasure, but soon got tired because he wanted to settle down. He told Jane that he watched her for sometime and grew to love her for her character, the way she was with "Adele" and the way she dressed. He futher went on to profess his love and ask for Jane's forgiveness for being dishonest and not telling her about his marrige to "Bertha." And continued to beg Jane to be his. I think Mr. Rochester was telling the truth. I don't think he would have went to the great lengths he did to explain himself or his situation if he wasn't. I feel as if Mr. Rochester put everything out on the table and was being totally honest with Jane. She may not have liked the truth very much, but  Mr. Rochester was telling the truth. I believe Mr.Rochester truly loves Jane and ment the words and love he professed.

Student 2- nour

 One instance that particularly stood out to me in terms of Jane and her relationship to the natural world is directly after Jane flees Thornfield Hall, after she made it to Witcross. "I touched the heath: it was dry, and yet warm with the heat of the summer day. I looked at the sky; it was pure: a kindly star twinkled just above the chasm ridge. The dew fell, but with propitious softness; no breeze whispered. Nature seemed to me benign and good; I thought she loved me, outcast as I was; and I, who from man could only anticipate only mistrust, rejection, and insult, clung to her with filial fondness. To-night, at least, I would be her guest, as I was her child: my mother would lodge me without money and without price." (Bronte 372) It seems to me that Jane, even when feeling alone, relies on nature to take care of her. Bronte uses the natural world oftentimes to set a scene or a mood for a scene, such as the chestnut tree and its recurrence; Jane herself interacts with nature as if its spirit can be depicted as a person. She is not afraid of anything in the natural world, often relishing in it and describing it with reverence, such as in the above passage. I think that Jane is more trustful of the world around her than people themselves, most likely due to being hurt or used by other people but not yet by her idea of Mother Nature. She would rather stay and sleep out under trees than dealing with what she views to be the unpleasantness of man for a lodging, especially when someone asks something of them. Escaping Thornfield meant running straight into the unknowns of nature, and she did not hesitate in that aspect. I think that Jane respects nature and appreciates its existence more than the existence of man.