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.
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Today’s Blogger: Eric
Today’s Facilitator: Sam
Important Events:
Chapter 30 – Jane learns that the Rivers sisters are both to become governesses in
distant cities.
Chapter 31 – Jane becomes a teacher at the Morton School for Girls
Chapter 32 – Jane paints Miss Rosamond Oliver’s portrait and discovers St.
John’s feelings for her subject.
Important Passages:
“‘It is strange,’ pursued he [St. John], ‘that while I love Rosamond Oliver so wildly—with all the intensity, indeed, of a first passion, the object of which is exquisitely beautiful, graceful, and fascinating—I experience at the same time a calm, un-warped consciousness that she would not make me a good wife; that she is not the partner suited to me; that is should discover this within a year after marriage; and that to twelve months’ rapture would succeed a lifetime of regret. This I know.’” (398)
This obviously reveals St. John’s feelings for Rosamond, and also creates a connection between St. John and Jane, as both love someone but refuse to marry.
Focus Questions:
1.) Both the Rivers and the Reed families included two daughters and one son; the Rivers family, however, care much more for Jane’s well-being than the Reed family ever did.
2.) St. John, like Jane, is “running from an unattainable love;” John from his Rosamond and Jane from Rochester. It is the general consensus that running from your problems/emotions/fear of commitment is never the greatest solution.
4.) Jane, though unhappy with her Morton position, nevertheless accepts it as better than life on the street. Despite her attraction to St. John, Jane refrains from pursuing him in deference to his feelings for Rosamond.
Today’s Blogger: Jennifer
Today’s Facilitator: Stefan
Important Events:
Ch. 30 St. John offers Jane a position as a school a teacher at a school for girls he is setting up.
Ch. 31 Jane discovers that St. John is a “suffering soul”.
Ch. 32 St. John tells Jane that he loves Rosamond Oliver. And then he acts really strangely and rips a piece of paper off of a picture and puts it in his pocket.
Important Passages:
”When I colour, and when I shake before Miss Oliver, I do not pity myself, I scorn the weakness. I know it is … a mere fever of the flesh: not … the convulsion of the soul … Know me for what I am – a cold, hard man.” (400)
Focus Questions:
2. Jane is running from an unattainable love – Mr. Rochester. St. John is also running from love, however it is attainable. St. John has confided to Jane that he loves Rosamond Oliver, and Rosamond obviously likes St. John as well, in the way that she acts. St. John does not think Rosamond would be a good wife for him, and that after a year of marriage he would regret his decision for the rest of his life. Our group is divided over whether or not running from unattainable love is the best answer.
3. St. John “truths” that he imparts to others is that it is best to be cold and reserved that way one’s dreams and aspirations can be reached.
4. Jane’s life at this point in the novel is pretty miserable. Jane is content with her position at Morton but feels lonely at times. Jane is confused about St. John’s actions as he is cold and distant, but at times, in his own distant way, opens up to St. John. St. John is quite strange when he interacts with Jane, as he says one thing, but his actions say another.
Today’s Blogger:
Tess Frydman
Today’s Facilitator:
Adriane
Important Events:
Chapter 30:
-Jane gets to know everyoe in the Moore house
-She gets along well with the two girls, but remains only an aquaintance with St. John
-He doesn't seem to enjoy being a missionary
- After one month Diana and Mary prepare to leave
- Jane approaches St. John and inquires about work
- She is to begin work at a school house and St. John informs her that he plans to leave.
- The Moore's uncle passes away leaving them nothing
- Jane leaves to work in a school house in Morton
Chapter 31
- Jane begins work and enjoys it
- Jane talks with St. John and he explains how he became a missionary
- She meets Rosamond, who obviously likes St. John and vice versa.
Chapter 32
- Jane begins having dreams of Mr. Rochester
- She gets to know Rosamond better and begins painting a picture of her
-St. John comes in and shows her a book
-Janes suggests that St. John marry Rosamond but he refuses saying that Rosamond would not make a suitable missionary wife.
Important Passages:
Pg. 398
"It is strange," pursued he, "that while I love Rosamond Oliver so wildly- with all the intensity, indeed, of a first passion, the object of which is exquisity beautiful, graceful, and fascinating- I experience at the same time a calm, unwarped consciousness that she would not make me a good wife."
Focus Questions:
1. The Rivers family is like the Reed family in the way that they are all close, and in the way that there is one outcasted family member, in this case St. John. In one way the Rivers are much different than the Reeds, they are much kinder to Jane, and much more welcoming in general.
2. Aswell as Jane, St. John is running away from love. Although his love is strong for Rosamond, he feels she would not make a suitable wife. People should not run away from what feels right to them, it is unnatural and unhealthy. The same as Jane literally ran St. John pushes Rosamond away.
4. At Morton Jane feels like although her job is good, it is not very rewarding. She is trying to convince herself that she can live her life without Rochester. She wants to be friends with St. John but he is not very open or friendly.
Today's Blogger: Cassandra
TOdays Facilitator: Reilly
Important Events: Jane gets a teaching job at a rural school house. Jane learns of St. John's love for Ms. Oliver.
Important Passages:
"It is strange," pursued he, "that while i love Rosamond Oliver so wildly- with all the intensity, indeed, of a first passion, the object of which is exquisitely beautiful, graceful, and fascinating- I experience at the same time a calm, unwarped consciousness that she would not make me a good wife..."
St. John confides to Jane that although he loves Ms. Oliver his duty is first to God and they would not make a good couple.
Focus Questions:
1. The Reeds and Rivers both take Jane in but the Rivers are kind to her and she feels a sense of family when with them. The Reeds deffinetly viewed Jane as an outsider.
2. John is running from his love for Ms. Oliver who he cannot love because she would not suit him as a wife and his duty is to god before any worldly plessures. Running, although painful, is sometimes the best answer.
4. Although she is fond of her teaching position, she feels that it is somewhat monotonous. As for John, she likes him but feels that he should act upon his feelings for Ms. Oliver. They interact much like a brother and sister who are not very close.
Today’s Blogger: Alex
Today’s Facilitator: Liza
Important Events:
Ch. 30: In chapter thirty, St. John asks Jane to be the mistress of his new school and Jane accepts his proposition. Dianna and Mary leave the house.
Ch. 31: In chapter thirty-one, Jane decides that she made the right choice about Mr. Rochester (Her leaving Rochester was justified). She later meets with Ms. Oliver, who likes Mr. Rivers. Mr. Rivers is in love with Ms. Oliver, but there can never be a relationship because Mr. Rivers is a minister and devoted to the church.
Ch. 32: In chapter thirty-two, Jane thinks that the children that she is teaching are much smarter and manageable than she had first believed. A happier Jane still feels stress at night when thoughts of Mr. Rochester creep into her dreams. Later on in the chapter, Jane paints a picture of Ms. Oliver which catches the eye of Mr. Rivers. Jane questions Mr. Rivers about his love for Ms. Oliver, to which he admits that even if he married, he would fall out of love in a mere year.
Important Passages:
“He drew over the picture the sheet of thin paper on which I was accustomed to rest my hand in painting, to prevent the cardboard from being sullied. What he suddenly saw on this blank paper, it was impossible for me to tell; but something had caught his eye. He took it up with a snatch; he looked at the edge; then shot a glance at me, inexpressibly peculiar and quite incomprehensible: a glance that seemed to take and make a note of every point in my shape, face, and dress; for it traversed all, quick, keen as lightning. His lips parted, as if to speak: but he checked the coming sentence, whatever it was.
‘What is the matter?’ I asked.
‘Nothing in the world,’ was the reply; and replacing the paper, I saw him dexterously tear a narrow slip from the margin. It disappeared in his glove; and, with one hasty nod and ‘good-afternoon’ he vanished.” (Page 401)
Focus Questions:
2. Mr. Rivers is also running from unattainable love because he truly loves Ms. Oliver, but he is a minister and cannot marry. Mr. Rivers loves his job more than Ms. Oliver, because he thinks that coming from wealth, she will not make a suitable wife for his work. We don’t think that running is the best answer. Running away is never a good thing. Unless if you’re running to be fit… By running, Mr. Rivers is creating more problems for himself in the future. And eventually, there will be nowhere else to run.
3. The “truths” that St. John teaches Jane are that she must follow not just what she wants and what would make her happy, but what would be the best for everyone- even if it requires sacrifice. This in turn, will make HER happy.
4. Jane loves her new job at Morton, and is adapting to the children that she previously thought dull. She is not completely happy because she does not have Mr. Rochester with her. Jane thinks that St. John is hard to read, but somehow reflects part of her- perhaps subconsciously. Our group likes St. John, but thinks that he needs to be much more assertive, and to go for what he wants in life, as does Jane.
A poem created in 1 minute, by Alex K.
I have loved, but never pursued.
I have pursued those who I do not love.
Should I continue on,
Spiralling deeper and deeper into madness?
Or should I call out to her,
And make her part of,
My ever-miserable life?
For without her,
Joy is empty, a facade.
Yet with, I do not know if I can go on.
Today’s Blogger:
Elise
Today’s Facilitator:
McKenzie
Important Events:
Ch. 30
-Becomes better friends with Diana and Mary
-Still doesn’t know St. John as well
-Dana and Mary must leave to go back to being governesses
-St. John finds Jane a job to teach
-D M and SJ’s Uncle John has died, and left no money to them
Ch. 31
-Reader finds out St. John is in love with Rosamond Oliver
-St. John reveals plans to become a missionary
Ch. 32
-Jane starts having Rochester nightmares
-Jane paints picture of Rosamond, St. John comes to look, tears a corner off of her paper and runs from the room
Important Passages:
“I love you, and I know you prefer me. It is not despair of success that keeps me dumb. If I offered my heart, I believe you would accept it. But that heart is already laid on a sacred altar: the fire is arranged around it. It will soon be no more than a sacrifice consumed.” (page 392)
Focus 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?
-The Rivers and the Reeds are both tight knit groups within their family
-Nothing much else really is similar between the two families, perhaps on purpose, so as to make them stronger foils to Jane’s character
-The Rivers are incredibly nice and accepting to Jane, taking her in while the Reeds only wanted to kick her out.
-The Rivers and Reeds are foils to Jane’s character in the way that they both exemplify Jane’s want of being loved and accepted, and they make the character of Jane seem more real and in touch with human emotion
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?
-St. John seems to be running from the pleasures of love, willing to devote himself to his work even if it means putting aside love
-Rochester is running from his responsibilities in life, such as Bertha, in order to attain the true love he has always searched for
-In Jane’s case, running was the best answer because there really was nothing else she could’ve done. If she’d stayed she would’ve been tempted by Rochester’s presence every day, and it would have led into a mess for all parties involved.
-Usually, running is not the best answer because it’s just ignoring the problem at hand.
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.
-Jane is grateful for the job, because it gives her a stronger sense of existence, but she isn’t really looking forward to it that much. She seems to be really tired in this point of the novel, and has spent too much of her life trying to please others. However she accepts the position with a smile, and tries to look on the bright side of things.
-St. John is a mystery to Jane. She can’t really read him, and it’s almost like he speaks in riddles, because it seems like he doesn’t want to give anyone a straight answer.
-St. John seems a little stuck up and full of himself, and when he interacts with Jane it’s almost as if he feels he has to preach the entire time. If Bronte is trying to create any chemistry between them, it is not there. Jane and St. John interact like awkward acquaintances for the most part, not really friends, but not complete strangers either.
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