This book is the best book I've ever been forced to read.
Jane is such a smart ass. She always has something to say and is not afraid to speak her mind. She makes the book easy to read. In the last chapter 14, she even says that she doesn't understand what Roch is saying. That makes two of us. It's like he's trying to out do her with his "enigmatical" language. She never tries to hide what she feels or thinks, which, I have to say, is a pleasant change.
I think I'm understanding most of the book. There are only certain, little parts where everything is confusing and I can barely get through it. I think the hardest part about this book is the conversations (mostly the ones with Roch). But, when Jane speaks through the narration, it's easy enough to read that I can get into the story.
Even though anything Roch says goes in one ear and out the other, I do like his character. I especially like how he and Jane have flirty moments. I think they're cute together (even though he's a bit old for her) because they're both very frank and honest. There is no awkward moments between them. And when Roch (pg 210) almost lets what could be a pet name slip, I fell further in love with this book.
I've been looking specifically for the Fire and Ice metaphor while reading this. It actually makes it easier to read when you looking through all the words for one common theme. Now, I'm able to notice the metaphors when they show up.
I'm a bit confused on the mystical creature metaphor, though. I've seen it quite a bit. Like when Roch mentions the "little green men". But also in chapter 14 they talk about angels and a seraph, which is like an angelic being who is in the highest order of the hierarchy. And Jane says (chapter 17) that she "had no time to nurse chimeras" which is a fire-breathing monster or a mythical creature with different animal parts.
Another theme that I find common place is that Roch and Jane are complete opposites. Not only with the Fire/Ice metaphor but with how they deal with people. While Jane usually locks herself away and encloses herself off, Roch doesn't mind being with people. He even has a party, which Jane tries to get out of. Yet they're both attracted to each other. And those differences keep me wanted to come back and see how Jane will react next.
I completely agree with you when you say that when there is actual conversations occurring, the reading becomes more difficult and hard to understand and follow; but when Jane is narrating it in her mind the reading becomes easier to understand and follow. I have also found the mystical creature metaphor rather confusing. This might be because our culture now, and our writing styles, are drastically different than during Bronte's time. I bet that back in the day, that almo0st everyone that read this understood these metaphors and the language just because they were used to hearing it in everyday life. Jane and Rochester are opposites, thus they attract.
ReplyDelete