Why is the phrasing of this line so important? How would the sense be different-for the sentence and for the novel as a whole- if the line read, "Reader, we were married."?
I am woman....hear me roar.....
9 years ago
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The line
There is probably no single line in the whole of Jane Eyre that has, in itself, attracted as much critical attention as the first line of the last chapter; "Reader, I married him."
Madness
Scenes of madness and insanity are among the most important plot devices in Jane Eyre. From the vision Jane sees when locked in the bedroom at Gateshead to her hearing the "goblin laughter" she attributes to Grace Poole, to the insanity and wretchedness of Bertha Mason, madness is of central importance to the plot and direction of the story. Give examples of madness in the text, and show how they affect the reader's understanding of the character experiencing the madness and how these examples affect the reader's understanding of the characters witnessing it.
Currer Bell
Upon publication, great speculation arose concerning the identity of the author of Jane Eyre, known only by the pen name of Currer Bell. Questions as to the sex of the author were raised, and many critics said that they believed it to be the work of a man. One critic of her time said, "A book more unfeminine both in its excellence and defects, it would be hard to find in the annals of female authorship. Throughout there is masculine power, breadth and shrewdness, combined with masculine hardness, coarseness, and freedom of expression."
Another critic of the day, Elizabeth Rigby, said that if it was the product of a female pen, then it was the writing of a woman "unsexed". Why was there such importance placed on the sex of the author and why was it questioned so readily? What does it mean that people believed it to be the product of a man rather than a woman?
Two parts
Many readers of Jane Eyre feel that the story is composed of two distinct parts, different in tone and purpose. The first part (chapters 1-11_ concerns her childhood at Gateshead and her life at Lowood; the second part is the remainder of the story. Is creating such a division justified? Is there a genuine difference of tone and purpose between the two sections as they have been described? Some critics and readers have suggested that the first part of Jane Eyre is more arresting because it is more directly autobiographical. Do you find this to be true?
religion
Throughout the novel, Charlotte Bronte uses biblical quotes and religious references. From the church supported school she attended that was run by Mr. Brocklehurst to the offer of marriage she receives from St. John, she is surrounded by aspects of Christianity. How does this influence her throughout her development? How do her views of God and Christianity change from her days as a young girl to the end of the novel? How is religion depicted in the novel, positively or negatively?
Identity
Throughout the novel, questions of identity are raised. From her identity as an orphan and stranger in the hostile environment of Gateshead Hall to that of a ward of the church at Lowood; from her being a possible wife of Rochester, then of St. John, to being the cousin of Diana and Mary, Jane is constantly in transition. Trace these changes in identity and how they affect Jane's view of herself and the world around her. Describe the final discovery of her identity that becomes apparent in the last chapter of the novel and the events that made that discovery possible.
man's worth
In Jane Eyre, nothing can better show a man's moral worth than the way in which he treats the women in his life. How is Rochester's character reflected in the way he treats Jane, Adele, Bertha Mason, and Miss Ingram, and in his reported treatment of Celine Varens? How is St. John's character reflected in the way he treats Jane, Miss Oliver, and Diana and Mary? Why does this serve as such a good gauge of a man's morality and worth? What other relationships serve similar functions in the novel?
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Fauntleroy
How does Cedric deal with his newly found good fortune? What is his reaction when it seems he is about to lose his title? What else has Fauntleroy lost in his life?
Charity
What effect does Fauntleroy's charitable nature have on the Earl- or more specifically, on the things that the Earl does? How do other people view Fauntleroy's deeds, and how does this differ from their opinion of the Earl's actions?
Friends
Does Fauntleroy have the sort of friends that you would expect of a boy his age? Why are Dick and Mr. Hobbs so devoted to their young friend? What role does Mr. Havisham play in Fauntleroy's life?
The father
Although he dies before the story begins, Fauntleroy's father still serves as a sort of character. In what ways is his presence felt? What did Fauntleroy inherit from him?
Dearest
Discuss the character of Fauntleroy's mother. Why does he call her "Dearest"? What does she value? What effect do her decisions have on those around her?
The Earl
What sort of man is Fauntleroy's grandfather, the Earl? What does he want from his grandson? Why is Fauntleroy able to have such an effect on him?
Little Lord
What is it about Fauntleroy that makes him special? Do you think that he was born with these traits, or are they a result of how he has been raised?
Monday, January 11, 2010
Room 101
Discuss the idea of Room 101, the place where everyone meets his or her worst fear. Keeping in mind that for most of Winston’s time at the Ministry of Love, he does not know what he will find in Room 101, what role does that uncertainty play in making Room 101 frightening? Does the cage of rats break Winston’s spirit, or does it merely play a symbolic role?
Technology
How does technology affect the Party’s ability to control its citizens? In what ways does the Party employ technology throughout the book?
Winston
Describe Winston’s character as it relates to his attitude toward the Party. In what ways might his fatalistic streak contribute to his ultimate downfall?
Julia
Describe Julia’s character as it relates to Winston. How is she different from him? How is she similar to him? How does Julia’s age make her attitude toward the Party very different from Winston’s?
Doublethink
Discuss the idea of doublethink. How important is doublethink to the Party’s control of Oceania? How important is it to Winston’s brainwashing?
Images and Ideas
1984 is full of images and ideas that do not directly affect the plot, but nevertheless attain thematic importance. What are some of these symbols and motifs, and how does Orwell use them?
Setting
How essential is the setting to the story? Could the story have taken place anywhere else? In any other time?
Central purpose
What is the central/primary purpose of the story? Is the purpose important or meaningful?
The conflicts
What are the conflicts in 1984? What types of conflict (physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional) are in this novel?
Most popular children's book
The Harry Potter series is the most popular children's book series ever written. Why do you think it is so popular? Why do you think adults and kids both like it?
The professors
Consider the professors at Hogwarts, including Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Quirrell – what does each character stand for? What does Harry learn from each one?
Magical Companion
If you could have one magic companion, what would it be and why? Rat, cat, owl, dragon, unicorn . . .
Harry's advantages/disadvantages
What are the advantages to Harry not having known how special he is before he starts school? Disadvantages? What are some of the instances when Harry acts more like a bumbling Muggle than a great wizard?
sorting hat
What does the episode of the Sorting Hat reveal about Harry? What does it say about fate in the story? Is it always superior to human will?
The Dursleys
- What are your impressions of Dudley?
- Why do you think J.K. Rowling depicts the Dursley's as being so terrible?
Dumbledore's knowledge
At the end of Harry’s adventures, when the Sorcerer’s Stone has been safely destroyed, Dumbledore reveals to Harry that he devised the Mirror of Erised in the knowledge that Harry would succeed where Voldemort would fail. This admission raises the question of whether Dumbledore orchestrates other parts of Harry’s adventures too. Does he know, for instance, that the troll will be let into Hogwarts, and does he foresee Harry’s defeat of the troll? Is it possible that Dumbledore has a godlike foreknowledge of the whole story from beginning to end?
Harry and Voldemort
When Harry chooses his wand on Diagon Alley, he finds that the one right for him is the companion wand to the one sold long ago to Voldemort. Why does Rowling choose to emphasize a curious affinity between Harry and his great enemy, Voldemort?
Hogwarts vs. real world
How does the Hogwarts world compare with the Muggle world? Does Rowling want us to make such a comparison?
Dumbledore
Harry has no personal contact with Dumbledore until he is caught in the forbidden room where the Mirror of Erised stands. Why does this first close contact with Dumbledore occur in the mirror room? Is the situation more important than just a routine rule violation by a naughty student? If so, how?
Point of view
Throughout most of the story, we share Harry’s point of view. We see what he sees and experience what he experiences. In the first chapter, however, we are shown Mr. Dursley’s point of view as he drives to work, sees a cat reading a map, and encounters oddly dressed people on the streets. Rowling could have given us a more straightforward third-person story without any particular point of view. Why does she choose to show us Mr. Dursley’s thoughts and reactions in this first chapter?
Surprise results
In Chapter Nine, Harry disobeys a direct order from one of the teachers at the Hogwarts School and takes off on a broom. This infraction is normally cause for expulsion from the school. However, in Harry's case, it brings him the honor of being chosen as the "Seeker" for his Quidditch team. Can you find other instances in the story where Harry's actions lead to quite opposite results from what is expected? To what extent is the book's plot advanced by such surprise turns of events?
Good and evil
Quirrell tells Harry that "There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it" (p. 291). Do you agree with this? Is this the reality of the world? Or if good and evil do exist, what makes them so? Which is more important in the world, power, or good and evil?
Name play
The author has more than a little bit of fun with names in this story. For example, the Professor of Herbology is Professor Sprout, and even the authors of the textbooks Harry must study are puns and riddles. Can you find other examples of this wordplay and show how the names reflect the characteristics of their owners? What about names that are the opposite of what you'd expect? — for example, the huge, terrifying three-headed dog named Fluffy? What effect do you think the author achieves with this name?
Borrowing from fantasy
Many novels of high fantasy borrow from the traditional stories of fairy tales, myths, and legends. The dog Fluffy which guards the trapdoor at Hogwarts School resembles Cerberus, the three-headed dog which guards the underworld of Greek mythology. What other creatures from traditional tales are paralleled in the story? How does each of these creatures play a pivotal role in advancing the plot?
Title chapters
. The title of each of the chapters provides some clues as to what will occur in each. Do the titles tell the whole truth? How do they reveal some of the more symbolic meaning of the story?
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