I think the relationship with Jane and the River sisters is interesting as the entire family becomes a foil for all of Jane's previous relationships. The River sisters serve as a foil for Jane's cousins, Georginia and Eliza. Both sets of sisters are faced with loosing their wealth, and, yet, the Rivers offer Jane residence and even to become a "permanent member of the family." Hannah serves as a foil for Mrs. Fairfax. Both Hannah and Jane have a similar, candid relationship. Hannah, however, looks at Jane merely as a begger rather than a middle-class educated woman and is much more candid with her. There is a transformation in her tone and use of rural English dialect when she discovers Jane is an educated woman. St. John serves as a foil for Mr. Brocklehurst and Rochester. St. John, as a member of the clergy, actually cares for Jane and takes her in as a good Christian without question or expectation of monetary reward where as Brocklehurst manipulated wealthy people from their wards and used his religious zealousness to control the young girls. I think St. John genuinely cares for Jane, unlike Rochester, the other brooding and mysterious Byronic Hero, who, I believe, wanted nothing more than a young mistress.
I agree. The set up of the novel with Jane becoming taken into the River's family is very interesting. The relationship between Jane and the females in the house didn't appeal to me a lot, personally; yes they were all very kind to Jane, but still didn't acknowledge her as an equal. However Jane's relationship with St. John did catch my attention. It was interesting to see how she interacted with St. John, especially after what had just recently happened with Rochester. It was interesting to see how St. John cared for Jane even in the midst of seeming indifferent towards her. This seemed like a huge contrast from Rochester who was almost obsessed with Jane. I think it will be more interesting to see how Jane and St. John's relationship grow.
This family are one of the few people who are actually kind to Jane. Except St. John who is the third make present in this novel. I think it's interesting how evey single guy ( Brocklehurst, Rochester, and st.John ) all start off cold and distant. Brocklehurst cast her off in Lowood and Rochester was very cold and distant in the beginning as well as St. John. Which makes me wonder if St. John will warm up to Jane. I think it's ironic how much Jane and the sisters like each other since they are family. I think this family is what Jane needs since none of her other family has ever taken good care of her. It's kind of the other side of the coin. The rivers saved her whereas the Reeds destroyed her.
I think Jane’s relationship with the Rivers is really intresting. They are in a way the opposite of what her sisters were. In here she is being taken in with care and being helped in a anyway she can, whereas in Gateshead sh was being treated unfairly, and mistreated. St. John is the complete opposite of Mrs. Reed, because instead of sending Jane far away she is being given a job and opportunities. I also find it ironic she goes from the luxury that Rochester was providing, to a more humble life with the Rivers.
The Rivers family treated Jane a lot better than the Reed family. Diana show or provides an example for Jane on how to be a woman, showing her how woman can be intellectual and independent. Mary shows Jane how to be able to develop relationships with people and the meaning of wanting to be independent and give her a new meaning of life. St.John has a impact on Jane by giving her food and shelter also making her feel safe and providing a homely environment for Jane making her feel accepted.
I think the relationship with Jane and the River sisters is interesting as the entire family becomes a foil for all of Jane's previous relationships. The River sisters serve as a foil for Jane's cousins, Georginia and Eliza. Both sets of sisters are faced with loosing their wealth, and, yet, the Rivers offer Jane residence and even to become a "permanent member of the family." Hannah serves as a foil for Mrs. Fairfax. Both Hannah and Jane have a similar, candid relationship. Hannah, however, looks at Jane merely as a begger rather than a middle-class educated woman and is much more candid with her. There is a transformation in her tone and use of rural English dialect when she discovers Jane is an educated woman. St. John serves as a foil for Mr. Brocklehurst and Rochester. St. John, as a member of the clergy, actually cares for Jane and takes her in as a good Christian without question or expectation of monetary reward where as Brocklehurst manipulated wealthy people from their wards and used his religious zealousness to control the young girls. I think St. John genuinely cares for Jane, unlike Rochester, the other brooding and mysterious Byronic Hero, who, I believe, wanted nothing more than a young mistress.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The set up of the novel with Jane becoming taken into the River's family is very interesting. The relationship between Jane and the females in the house didn't appeal to me a lot, personally; yes they were all very kind to Jane, but still didn't acknowledge her as an equal. However Jane's relationship with St. John did catch my attention. It was interesting to see how she interacted with St. John, especially after what had just recently happened with Rochester. It was interesting to see how St. John cared for Jane even in the midst of seeming indifferent towards her. This seemed like a huge contrast from Rochester who was almost obsessed with Jane. I think it will be more interesting to see how Jane and St. John's relationship grow.
ReplyDeleteThis family are one of the few people who are actually kind to Jane. Except St. John who is the third make present in this novel. I think it's interesting how evey single guy ( Brocklehurst, Rochester, and st.John ) all start off cold and distant. Brocklehurst cast her off in Lowood and Rochester was very cold and distant in the beginning as well as St. John. Which makes me wonder if St. John will warm up to Jane. I think it's ironic how much Jane and the sisters like each other since they are family. I think this family is what Jane needs since none of her other family has ever taken good care of her. It's kind of the other side of the coin. The rivers saved her whereas the Reeds destroyed her.
ReplyDeleteI think Jane’s relationship with the Rivers is really intresting. They are in a way the opposite of what her sisters were. In here she is being taken in with care and being helped in a anyway she can, whereas in Gateshead sh was being treated unfairly, and mistreated. St. John is the complete opposite of Mrs. Reed, because instead of sending Jane far away she is being given a job and opportunities. I also find it ironic she goes from the luxury that Rochester was providing, to a more humble life with the Rivers.
ReplyDeleteThe Rivers family treated Jane a lot better than the Reed family.
ReplyDeleteDiana show or provides an example for Jane on how to be a woman, showing her how woman can be intellectual and independent.
Mary shows Jane how to be able to develop relationships with people and the meaning of wanting to be independent and give her a new meaning of life.
St.John has a impact on Jane by giving her food and shelter also making her feel safe and providing a homely environment for Jane making her feel accepted.