Jane's New Relationships (Book 3 Chapters 1-6)

At first I was a little nervous when Jane left Thornfield. She really, really, really needed to get away from Rochester's abuse. If she waited until she had more money or a place to go, she might have gotten sucked back in. I was so nervous about her 'roughing it' until she found somewhere. Sleeping outside, begging for food. My poor baby. I don't understand how so many people could send her away. But then she finds the Moor House.

Me, when people are rude to Jane

Hannah, the housekeeper there, wanted to send her away. She was skeptical because of Jane's nice clothes. She assumed Jane didn't need help even though she was begging for it at the door? Later when they're talking in the kitchen, Jane goes off. She mentioned how, even though Hannah didn't 'mean anything by it', she was still quick to judge. Jane says that some of the best people in the world have been in poverty as well and it wasn't a crime to be poor. Then Jane is the bigger person and shakes Hannah's hand, leaving all of it in the past.

My personal favorites when it comes to Jane's new friends are the Rivers siblings. The girls are true saints. While Jane is recovering from her nights of travel, Mary and Diana are consistently visiting her. They were always concerned for Jane's well being. After she comes to, they start to hang out. They teach her German and she teaches them to draw a little bit. St John would have been a lot harsher to Jane if these two weren't around. I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about him. He's a bit of an odd duck. He isn't rude to Jane which is all I can ask for. Otherwise, I love the way they all interact. These three are lovely companions for Jane and I can't wait to see how they melt together in the future.

 Rosamond and Jane is a perfect combination. They are adorable together. I feel as though they are more compatible than Jane and Rochester could ever be. Rosamond thinks that Jane is 'good, clever, composed, and firm.' She was 'only one tenth as handsome' but looks aren't everything. Rosamond also thought Jane's life would make a 'delightful romance.' Rosamond visited Jane very frequently at the school. Jane thought she was 'charming' and a 'cool observer of her own sex.' Rosamond loved how well Jane could draw and even spoke about Jane at home. One could make the argument that I find lesbian undertones in everything. One could also argue that I'm just pointing out the facts.

Gothic Elements in 'Jane Eyre' (chapters 1-21)

Part of what makes a story ‘gothic’ are the medieval like settings. Jane Eyre comes across many of these on her journey. The most notable is her current home, Thornfield. Essentially, Thornfield is a big castle with almost no inhabitants. It is set far from the nearest town, almost in the middle of nowhere. Then there is the Lowood School. It is an orphanage and a schooling facility. It it full of very religious nuns and nearly one hundred young girls. Quite a few of it’s inhabitants died of typhus. All of which is incredibly creepy.

Another detail of a gothic story are supernatural events. Jane has unfortunately witnessed some of these happenings. It started when she was a young girl. She was locked in the Red Room well into the night. While she was in there she saw a bright light which she swore was a ghost. She experienced ghosts again in Thornfield. When she heard the loud, high pitched laugh that sent shivers down her spine. This turns out to be Grace Poole, another of Rochester’s employees. When she goes into town to mail Mrs. Fairfax’ letter, she sees Mr. Rochester’s dog, Pilot, for the first time. She hides in the brush because she thinks it is a monster patrolling an abandoned road for it’s next victim. There was also the time the ‘Gipsy’ came to Thornfield. The other girls were amazed that she new so much about them. When Jane went in, she played along and also wondered how the gipsy knew so much. Later we find out that the gipsy is just Mr. Rochester in disguise.

Gothic stories also have many mysterious characters. The first character that comes to mind is Grace Poole. She tends to keep to herself in her room and doesn’t even come out for meals. She was allegedly the one who tried to kill Mr. Rochester. She is still employed and still living at Thornfield. The other staff is also mysterious. They know something that Jane doesn’t. They know all about Grace Poole and won’t directly answer Jane’s questions. They also whisper about ‘if she knows’ referring to Jane. Also, during the party, a man came by and claimed that he was a friend of Rochester’s. No one knows much about him. They know his name is Mason and he comes from a warm climate but everything else is a mystery.

Inner Sanctuary (For Meditation)

You open your eyes. The light is blinding. The wind is whipping past your face and through your hair at highway speeds. A light flares up inside you. A happiness that could never be compared to anything else. You're almost there. You know that. Because you're falling...falling...falling.

There's no fear here. Only immeasurable joy. The ground is still thousands of miles away. It's moving so quickly, running almost, to meet you. Just look at how vivid everything is. All the colors have come back to you. Nature isn't gray anymore. Excitement overtakes you as you twist...turn...flip.

About a hundred feet to the ground now. It's been so long. So much has changed. You barely recognize the old place. Why does it feel so familiar then? So comfortable. So relaxing. So tired. You're so tired. It was exhausting trying to get in here, wasn't it? You look like you could use a rest. Just for a minute. Fifty more feet. Down you go, slower...slower...slower.

Stop. You've got your feet on the ground. Everything seems so real. Though it isn't. But that's what makes it dangerous. Don't you think? Ha! Look at that. Green grass. That's what it should look like right? You've nearly forgotten. And that field of wildflowers. What's that color again? Purple? And monarchs are orange once more. All your senses are at work, sight...touch...smell.

How soft this grass is. How bright the sun is. You can smell fresh air. Why is that, though. You, the real you, is cooped up. In a box. In a city. There it smells like, what is it, even? Gasoline and pollution? But this you, the other you. You're smelling flowers and a fresh autumn breeze. Where is that coming from? From your brain? From your heart? From a lie? That's it. It has to be. Why does this feel so wonderful? You're lying to yourself. Liar...liar...liar.

You have to push that thought away. It's for your own good. Let's go for a walk, shall we? Ooh. Whats over there? You start walking. Leaves crunch beneath your feet. Animals scurry left and right. It's so loud in here. Not from cars and factories and industry. From birds and streams and leaves in soft winds. Here's that red fox again. Circling around your feet too quickly for you to see her face. Hey, you there, come back...come back...come back!

Well, don't just stand there. Follow her. Make haste. Quickly. Into the woods. Where did those come from? Were they here a minute ago? I distinctly remember a shortage of oak trees, don't you? Never mind that! Stop dawdling. You have a fox to catch. You need to start running...running...running.

Where's she taking you this time? You can go anywhere you want but you follow her? Why? Wait. There she is. Dodge that low branch. Jump over that boulder. Look out for that, right, not helping, sorry. She keeps getting faster, though. That means you have to, too. What? You got rocks in that backpack? Haste, I said, haste! There she goes. Over that way...this way...that way.

She seems to like this place a lot. Or maybe you do. Maybe she knows that. But who wouldn't? The gentle hill. Surrounded by trees on all sides. The dutch cottage on top. Not a doll house but nothing too grandiose. Look at those shutters. And how cute is that little stone chimney? And the water mill with the stream? You're so excited. Come on then, up the stairs. Up...up...up.

Go ahead and open up the door. Key's in the window box by the way. How do you know that? Because you put it there, of course. How else would you know? See how familiar it is now? The light blue walls? The royal purple beams and shutter? Is any of that ringing a bell? Maybe if we see what's waiting for you inside. You put the key in the lock and unlock...turn...push.

The door glides open. Oh well lookie here. If it isn't the everything you'd ever want. Your favorite person prepping your favorite foods and activities in your dream kitchen with, Ah! Your dream granite counter tops! How classy! Maybe you shouldn't have pushed that earlier thought from your mind. This isn't for your own good. Like giving into a heroin addiction. Chasing after the first high that you'll never have again. This isn't for you. This isn't real. You need to wake up. You can't just pretend...pretend...pretend.