Today’s Blogger:
(Who is typing today?)
Today’s Facilitator:
(Who is leading the discussion today?)
Important Events:
(List the important events from each chapter of the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of these events.)
Ch. 36
Ch. 37
Ch. 38
Important Passages:
(List at least one important passage from the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of this passage.)
Focus Questions:
(Discuss all three of the following questions – but record only two.)
1. How does Rochester say he felt in Jane’s absence? What spiritual change has occurred in Rochester? Do Jane and Rochester still feel the same way about each other? In what way have the roles in Jane and Rochester’s relationship been reversed?
2. Do you think the story has a fairy-tale ending? Or is the situation at the end ironic? Are we glad to see them back together? What makes their relationship ring true for the reader?
3. The meaning of the ending of the novel has been much debated. Some readers see Thornfield – Rochester’s world, and Marsh End – St. John’s world – as representing different sides of Jane Eyre. Disagreement exists about whether these two aspects are reconciled at the novel’s end. Some argue that Jane’s marriage to Rochester at Ferndean represents a blending of these two worlds. Others point out the Rochester is now maimed and blind, everything he represents has been destroyed, and the author’s final words in the novel are devoted to St. John. Thus, one world outlasts the other. Discuss – what does your group think?
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Group Post 7 - 12/15
Today’s Blogger:
(Who is typing today?)
Today’s Facilitator:
(Who is leading the discussion today?)
Important Events:
(List the important events from each chapter of the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of these events.)
Ch. 33
Ch. 34
Ch. 35
Important Passages:(List at least one important passage from the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of this passage.)Focus Questions:(Discuss the questions below. Record your discussion for all three of the following questions.)
1. Explain how Jane is related to Diana, Mary, and St. John. Did you suspect this? Discuss the coincidences that have occurred in the book so far. Are these occurrences too coincidental for you or are they satisfactory and/or needed?
2. Characterize the similarities and differences between St. John’s offer of marriage and Rochester’s. How are the men alike/different? Why does Jane refuse St. John when she is willing to accept a life with him in India? Couldn’t she grow to love him? How does her response fit in with what we know about Jane as a character?
3. Does Jane’s near surrender to St. John Rivers, stopped only by “the voice of Edward Fairfax Rochester” speaking to her “in pain and woe,” diminish her strength of character? Why would Bronte have slipped again into the realm of the supernatural if Jane had enough strength in her own convictions?
(Who is typing today?)
Today’s Facilitator:
(Who is leading the discussion today?)
Important Events:
(List the important events from each chapter of the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of these events.)
Ch. 33
Ch. 34
Ch. 35
Important Passages:(List at least one important passage from the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of this passage.)Focus Questions:(Discuss the questions below. Record your discussion for all three of the following questions.)
1. Explain how Jane is related to Diana, Mary, and St. John. Did you suspect this? Discuss the coincidences that have occurred in the book so far. Are these occurrences too coincidental for you or are they satisfactory and/or needed?
2. Characterize the similarities and differences between St. John’s offer of marriage and Rochester’s. How are the men alike/different? Why does Jane refuse St. John when she is willing to accept a life with him in India? Couldn’t she grow to love him? How does her response fit in with what we know about Jane as a character?
3. Does Jane’s near surrender to St. John Rivers, stopped only by “the voice of Edward Fairfax Rochester” speaking to her “in pain and woe,” diminish her strength of character? Why would Bronte have slipped again into the realm of the supernatural if Jane had enough strength in her own convictions?
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Group Post 6 - 12/12
Today’s Blogger:
(Who is typing today?)
Today’s Facilitator:
(Who is leading the discussion today?)
Important Events:
(List the important events from each chapter of the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of these events.)
Ch. 30
Ch. 31
Ch. 32
Important Passages:
(List at least one important passage from the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of this passage.)
Focus Questions:
(Discuss the questions below. Record your discussion for at least three of the following questions.)
1. Compare the Rivers family to the Reed family. In what way are they similar? In what way are they foils (visit - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foil_(literature) for more info) to Jane’s character in order to reveal more about her?
2. Jane Eyre is running from an unattainable love. Who else is running as well, and what are the details? Do you think running is the best answer?
3. A good minister is an example to his congregation; followers will learn “truth” by simply observing the daily actions of their pastor. What “truths” does St. James Rivers impart to Jane?
4. Discuss Jane’s life at this point in the novel. How does she feel about the position at Morton? How does she feel about St. John? Discuss your views of St. John and his interactions with Jane.
(Who is typing today?)
Today’s Facilitator:
(Who is leading the discussion today?)
Important Events:
(List the important events from each chapter of the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of these events.)
Ch. 30
Ch. 31
Ch. 32
Important Passages:
(List at least one important passage from the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of this passage.)
Focus Questions:
(Discuss the questions below. Record your discussion for at least three of the following questions.)
1. Compare the Rivers family to the Reed family. In what way are they similar? In what way are they foils (visit - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foil_(literature) for more info) to Jane’s character in order to reveal more about her?
2. Jane Eyre is running from an unattainable love. Who else is running as well, and what are the details? Do you think running is the best answer?
3. A good minister is an example to his congregation; followers will learn “truth” by simply observing the daily actions of their pastor. What “truths” does St. James Rivers impart to Jane?
4. Discuss Jane’s life at this point in the novel. How does she feel about the position at Morton? How does she feel about St. John? Discuss your views of St. John and his interactions with Jane.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Group Post 5 - 12/10
Today’s Blogger:
(Who is typing today?)
Today’s Facilitator:
(Who is leading the discussion today?)
Important Events:
(List the important events from each chapter of the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of these events.)
Ch. 28
Ch. 29
Important Passages:
(List at least one important passage from the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of this passage.)
Focus Questions:
(Discuss the questions below. Record your discussion for all three of the following questions.)
1. The suffering that Jane endures is compounded by her belief that she has “no claim to ask” for help. How is this philosophy in keeping with her character?
2. As the author of the text, Bronte is the artist who chooses what events happen in the plot. Why did she choose to create a section where her main character goes through so much pain? Is it appropriate?
3. Brontë populates the novel with many female characters roughly the same age as Jane—Georgiana and Eliza Reed, Helen Burns, Blanche Ingram, Bertha, Mary and Diana Rivers. How do comparisons with these characters shape the reader's understanding of Jane's character?
Extra Time – Discussion Notes:(Record any additional discussion. What did you find most interesting? Did you disagree about anything? Was something important realized? What literary terms did you discuss? What do you think about the characters and their actions? ETC…)
(Who is typing today?)
Today’s Facilitator:
(Who is leading the discussion today?)
Important Events:
(List the important events from each chapter of the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of these events.)
Ch. 28
Ch. 29
Important Passages:
(List at least one important passage from the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of this passage.)
Focus Questions:
(Discuss the questions below. Record your discussion for all three of the following questions.)
1. The suffering that Jane endures is compounded by her belief that she has “no claim to ask” for help. How is this philosophy in keeping with her character?
2. As the author of the text, Bronte is the artist who chooses what events happen in the plot. Why did she choose to create a section where her main character goes through so much pain? Is it appropriate?
3. Brontë populates the novel with many female characters roughly the same age as Jane—Georgiana and Eliza Reed, Helen Burns, Blanche Ingram, Bertha, Mary and Diana Rivers. How do comparisons with these characters shape the reader's understanding of Jane's character?
Extra Time – Discussion Notes:(Record any additional discussion. What did you find most interesting? Did you disagree about anything? Was something important realized? What literary terms did you discuss? What do you think about the characters and their actions? ETC…)
Monday, December 8, 2008
Group Post 4 - 12/8
Today’s Blogger:
(Who is typing today?)
Today’s Facilitator:
(Who is leading the discussion today?)
Important Events:
(List the important events from each chapter of the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of these events.)
Ch. 24
Ch. 25
Ch. 26
Ch. 27
Important Passages:
(List at least one important passage from the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of this passage.)
Focus Questions:
(Discuss the questions below. Record your discussion for at least three of the following questions.)
1. Discuss Jane and Rochester’s impending marriage. How does Mrs. Fairfax view the marriage? Why does Jane write to John Eyre? How is Jane different than most brides of romance stories?
2. Discuss the disastrous event on Jane’s wedding day. How does Jane feel when she learns of Bertha’s existence? What does Jane decide to do? What would you do? Jane writes, “Reader, I forgave him at the moment on the spot.” What is your reaction to this? What would you have done?
3. Identify two instances of foreshadowing in chapters 21-27. Discuss the event and what it foreshadowed.
4. Take a few minutes to research divorce laws in Victorian England and discuss your findings. In Victorian England, a man could not divorce his wife if she was insane. Given this fact, was Rochester justified in asking Jane to marry him? Why or why not? What do you think of this law?
5. What do you make of Bertha Rochester? Is she just an obstacle to Rochester’s happiness? Does her character have a more representational role in the story? Is she a symbol of uncontrolled passion or the darker side of Jane’s emotional nature and her need for self-expression? What is her function in the novel?
Extra Time – Discussion Notes:
(Record any additional discussion. What did you find most interesting? Did you disagree about anything? Was something important realized? What literary terms did you discuss? What do you think about the characters and their actions? ETC…)
(Who is typing today?)
Today’s Facilitator:
(Who is leading the discussion today?)
Important Events:
(List the important events from each chapter of the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of these events.)
Ch. 24
Ch. 25
Ch. 26
Ch. 27
Important Passages:
(List at least one important passage from the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of this passage.)
Focus Questions:
(Discuss the questions below. Record your discussion for at least three of the following questions.)
1. Discuss Jane and Rochester’s impending marriage. How does Mrs. Fairfax view the marriage? Why does Jane write to John Eyre? How is Jane different than most brides of romance stories?
2. Discuss the disastrous event on Jane’s wedding day. How does Jane feel when she learns of Bertha’s existence? What does Jane decide to do? What would you do? Jane writes, “Reader, I forgave him at the moment on the spot.” What is your reaction to this? What would you have done?
3. Identify two instances of foreshadowing in chapters 21-27. Discuss the event and what it foreshadowed.
4. Take a few minutes to research divorce laws in Victorian England and discuss your findings. In Victorian England, a man could not divorce his wife if she was insane. Given this fact, was Rochester justified in asking Jane to marry him? Why or why not? What do you think of this law?
5. What do you make of Bertha Rochester? Is she just an obstacle to Rochester’s happiness? Does her character have a more representational role in the story? Is she a symbol of uncontrolled passion or the darker side of Jane’s emotional nature and her need for self-expression? What is her function in the novel?
Extra Time – Discussion Notes:
(Record any additional discussion. What did you find most interesting? Did you disagree about anything? Was something important realized? What literary terms did you discuss? What do you think about the characters and their actions? ETC…)
Friday, December 5, 2008
Group Post 3 - 12/5
Today’s Blogger:
(Who is typing today?)
Today’s Facilitator:
(Who is leading the discussion today?)
Important Events:
(List the important events from each chapter of the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of these events.)
Ch. 21
Ch. 22
Ch. 23
Important Passages:
(List at least one important passage from the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of this passage.)
Focus Questions:
(Discuss the questions below. Record your discussion for question 1 and at least two additional questions.)
You MUST answer this question:
1. Gothic novels take place in gloomy or eerie settings, such as old castles or dark mansions, and emphasize horror, mystery, violence, and the supernatural. Gothic novels, read mainly for entertainment, were especially popular in England in the early 1800s. While Jane Eyre is not a gothic novel, it does contain gothic features. What gothic features have you noticed so far? Spend a few minutes visiting this site: http://www.virtualsalt.com/gothic.htm, and then record your discussion.
Record your discussion for at least two of the following:
2. What have the Reed sisters become? How does Jane compare and contrast to them? Describe the resolution of the relationship between Jane and Mrs. Reed. Is it different from what you expected?
3. Discuss Jane and Rochester’s relationship. Why do these main characters think, feel, or act as they do. Provide specific examples. Do you like/dislike anything about their relationship?
4. In the beginning of chapter 23, Bronte describes Thornfield in summer. How does this contrast the events of the chapter? How does this contrast with the storm at the end? Make a prediction and/or discuss how this is foreshadowing.
5. In Jane’s impassioned speech beginning with “I tell you I must go!” (in chapter 23) you should be able to find pieces of both Bessie and Helen Burns. How to the philosophies of these two influential characters show up in Jane’s words?
Extra Time – Discussion Notes:
(Record any additional discussion. What did you find most interesting? Did you disagree about anything? Was something important realized? What literary terms did you discuss? What do you think about the characters and their actions? ETC…)
Discuss the sticky notes your group members wrote for today.
(Who is typing today?)
Today’s Facilitator:
(Who is leading the discussion today?)
Important Events:
(List the important events from each chapter of the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of these events.)
Ch. 21
Ch. 22
Ch. 23
Important Passages:
(List at least one important passage from the reading you did for today. Talk about the significance of this passage.)
Focus Questions:
(Discuss the questions below. Record your discussion for question 1 and at least two additional questions.)
You MUST answer this question:
1. Gothic novels take place in gloomy or eerie settings, such as old castles or dark mansions, and emphasize horror, mystery, violence, and the supernatural. Gothic novels, read mainly for entertainment, were especially popular in England in the early 1800s. While Jane Eyre is not a gothic novel, it does contain gothic features. What gothic features have you noticed so far? Spend a few minutes visiting this site: http://www.virtualsalt.com/gothic.htm, and then record your discussion.
Record your discussion for at least two of the following:
2. What have the Reed sisters become? How does Jane compare and contrast to them? Describe the resolution of the relationship between Jane and Mrs. Reed. Is it different from what you expected?
3. Discuss Jane and Rochester’s relationship. Why do these main characters think, feel, or act as they do. Provide specific examples. Do you like/dislike anything about their relationship?
4. In the beginning of chapter 23, Bronte describes Thornfield in summer. How does this contrast the events of the chapter? How does this contrast with the storm at the end? Make a prediction and/or discuss how this is foreshadowing.
5. In Jane’s impassioned speech beginning with “I tell you I must go!” (in chapter 23) you should be able to find pieces of both Bessie and Helen Burns. How to the philosophies of these two influential characters show up in Jane’s words?
Extra Time – Discussion Notes:
(Record any additional discussion. What did you find most interesting? Did you disagree about anything? Was something important realized? What literary terms did you discuss? What do you think about the characters and their actions? ETC…)
Discuss the sticky notes your group members wrote for today.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Group Post 2 - 12/3
Today’s Blogger:
(Who is typing today?)
Today’s Facilitator:
(Who is leading the discussion today?)
Important Events:
(List the important events from each chapter of the reading you did for chapters 11-20. Talk about the significance of these events.)
Important Passages:
(List at least two important passages from chapters 11-20. Talk about the significance of these passages.)
Focus Questions:
(Discuss all of the questions below. Record your discussion/answer for at least two prompts/questions.)
1. Discuss Jane’s position at Thornfield Hall. What do you think of her job and of her new pupil?
2. Focusing on chapters 13-15, make notes about Rochester’s appearance, manner or mood, past life, and goals. What are your impressions of him? Were you surprised by Jane’s attraction to Rochester? What about him is attractive to Jane?
3. How do Jane and Rochester behave toward each other when they converse? How does Jane find herself in the position of saving Rochester’s life? What sort of suspicion is aroused by the event that threatens his life?
4. Discuss Mason, Rochester’s reaction to his arrival, and the strange incident involving Mason that once again bring Jane to Rochester’s aid. Describe the relationship between Rochester and Mason.
5. How does Bronte create a sense of suspense, tension, and uncertainty in chapters 11-20?
6. Do you think Rochester is in love with Blanche Ingram? Do you think he has any feelings for Jane?
7. Discuss two character traits for Jane as a young woman. Provide evidence to support each trait.
Extra Time – Discussion Notes:
(Record any additional discussion. What did you find most interesting? Did you disagree about anything? Was something important realized? What literary terms did you discuss? What do you think about the characters and their actions? ETC…)
(Who is typing today?)
Today’s Facilitator:
(Who is leading the discussion today?)
Important Events:
(List the important events from each chapter of the reading you did for chapters 11-20. Talk about the significance of these events.)
Important Passages:
(List at least two important passages from chapters 11-20. Talk about the significance of these passages.)
Focus Questions:
(Discuss all of the questions below. Record your discussion/answer for at least two prompts/questions.)
1. Discuss Jane’s position at Thornfield Hall. What do you think of her job and of her new pupil?
2. Focusing on chapters 13-15, make notes about Rochester’s appearance, manner or mood, past life, and goals. What are your impressions of him? Were you surprised by Jane’s attraction to Rochester? What about him is attractive to Jane?
3. How do Jane and Rochester behave toward each other when they converse? How does Jane find herself in the position of saving Rochester’s life? What sort of suspicion is aroused by the event that threatens his life?
4. Discuss Mason, Rochester’s reaction to his arrival, and the strange incident involving Mason that once again bring Jane to Rochester’s aid. Describe the relationship between Rochester and Mason.
5. How does Bronte create a sense of suspense, tension, and uncertainty in chapters 11-20?
6. Do you think Rochester is in love with Blanche Ingram? Do you think he has any feelings for Jane?
7. Discuss two character traits for Jane as a young woman. Provide evidence to support each trait.
Extra Time – Discussion Notes:
(Record any additional discussion. What did you find most interesting? Did you disagree about anything? Was something important realized? What literary terms did you discuss? What do you think about the characters and their actions? ETC…)
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