May 26, 2006
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Zorro Meets Bronte
I have a moment while TGD reads Rachel a bedtime story (The 512 Ants on Sullivan Street–a mathematical doubling book) before we watch a video (Zorro Returns, or whatever it’s called). So, I thought I’d address the two issues most frequently mentioned regarding my last post.
First, just because it’s summer BREAK doesn’t mean it’s summer VACATION! Plus, it’s too cold to swim, so we may as well work as hard as we can so that we can be true pool bunnies this summer. I even bought each child a funky, big beach towel for his or her personal use this summer. (I thought it would cut down on the regular towel laundry in addition to being sort of nice.) Today’s agenda included de-crabgrassing some areas and planting tomatoes and some giant pumpkins. Libby and I also began painting the basket swing since I finished spray painting the stand for it.
Second, my Bronte bias–I’ve read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights a number of times, and I was always struck with the dark overtones and the difficult to understand passions of the characters. I found it hard to relate to the characters or to sympathize with them in their situations. I like my characters light-hearted and happy, which is probably why I like Jane Austen’s novels. Even in her novels, though, the deeply passionate or morosely moral folk irritate me. Lighten up, Fanny! Get a grip, Marianne!
But, back on topic, in this reading of Jane Eyre, I’ve been struck by the nuances of Jane’s character. She is no caricature of solemnity full of odd yearnings; she might even be Charlotte Bronte herself come partially to life. As Rochester himself says of Jane, “I saw you had a social heart; it was the silent schoolroom–it was the tedium of your life–that made you mournful.” What governess-like tedium did the author share? Was Bronte as homely as Jane is described as being? Did she suffer from loneliness and friendlessness? Even if Bronte did not, she well-describes a character who did.
I think that books read as a teen or young adult and dismissed should be revisited as adults. What young girl can fully understand Anna Karenina and Tolstoy’s amazing characterizations? I’m not tempted to try Lady Chatterly’s Lover again, though. It was icky.
PS for Corrine, world traveler–Book arrived safely in America. Hope you do as well and as quickly!
Comments (3)
Wow! Rachel sure gets to stay up late…I guess THAT is what summer vacation is all about.
HA HA! Actually, I started the entry around 9:15, but I didn’t finish it until after the video. So, Rachel doesn’t get to bed as late as it would seem!
I have never made it through a Bronte book. I want to fix things, and I get stuck on Heathcliff. I don’t have much patience with wordiness either. It was probably different before there was T.V. The scene is set so quickly by a camera pan that so many words aren’t necessary and we don’t appreciate them. I had trouble getting through the descriptions of Cold Comfort Farm too.