Before you scroll down, there may be some spoilers in the blog prompts. So you may want to wait until you finish each Volume before you look at them.
This last blog post will first ask you to read others blog posts and will be graded for completion and effort.
Make three separate posts in this comment stream: "quote" from your someone else's post from Volume 2 and / or Volume 3. Explain what about her post was compelling and interesting, and then elaborate on what else it made you think of. Repeat this three times.
Make two separate posts on what you would like to discuss in class on Monday and explain why. Your topic also needs to include a specific moment in the text.
Each of these separate posts should be 200- 300 words in length.
2008
Cut on catalogues of "Attention to Detail - Curated by Chuck Close" at Flag Art Foundation
12 1/4 (H) x 14 1/2 (W) x 11 1/2 (D) inches
31(H) x 36.8(W) x 29.2(D)cm
Flag Art Foundation collection
In full disclosure: I did not come up with these topics, but I do like them. I would cite or reference this, but I don’t know from where it came.
Choose one of the following four blog posts
Group A: In Chapter 10, Jane provides a summary of her feelings and mental state at this point. What is the significance of this passage as a description of Jane’s inner state, and how does it match what we have learned of Jane’s character? What is the significance of her going to the top of the building to make this self-assessment? Is it significant that, almost directly after making this plea, her wish is granted? Does it not seem as though events seem almost to be caused or precipitated by her subjective feelings?
In an equivalent passage, the opening paragraphs of Chapter 12 (the famous “stiller doom” passage) Jane again craves excitement, and very shortly afterward it happens when she encounters Rochester for the first time. What does this passage say about Jane and her ‘self’? Does it confirm her as a ‘Romantic’ character? What is the significance of her ‘Feminist’ sentiments (and it might be worth noting that, in Mary Wollstencraft, there was a close affinity between Feminism and the Romantic movement)? Are both passages further examples of Jane’s sense of frustration at feeling ‘imprisoned’, and how accurately does this tally with Rochester’s assessment of Jane in Chapter 19?
Group B: In Chapter 12, Jane first encounters Rochester. What significance do you find in the way that he is introduced, the background, use of imagery, etc.? In what ways is he established as a ‘Byronic’ hero from the start?
At two key points, in Chapter 13 and Chapter 27, Rochester and Jane have a discussion, culminating in the moment of choice for Jane. What do you think is revealed by these exchanges? How relevant is it here to bring in ideas of Rochester as the Byronic hero who must be educated?
Group C: In Chapter 13, Jane shows Rochester her paintings. What do these tell you? What significance do you find in the imagery and description of these? Does the novel give any clues as to the source of these paintings?
What are we to make of Jane’s responses to the reality of Blanche Ingram? Look at the end of Chapter 16 and then at Chapter 17 “Genius is said to be self-conscious…”. You might also look at Chapter 18: “I have told you, reader, that I had learnt to love Mr. Rochester…”. What do these passages tell us about Jane? What are we to make of Jane’s point of view as the victim? What are the effects of the change of tense in the second extract? Do you detect any elements of masochism or self- martyring in these passages?
Group D: What do you think is the significance of the retelling of dreams by both Jane and Rochester? What do they show? Look at Chapter 25: “No, no, sir: besides the delicacy and richness of the fabric…”, “I dreamt another dream, sir…”, at Chapter 27: “That night I never thought to sleep…”, or at the final paragraph of Chapter 15.
What strikes you about the use of the ‘Gothic’ passages in these chapters, particularly in Chapter 15, “I tried again to sleep…’”) and the beginning of Chapter 20.
Finally, what do you notice about the use of imagery and symbolism in these chapters? You might look at the lightning episode at the end of Chapter 23.
Each post should be about 750-100 words. I'm much more interested in the depth and specificity of your answers (analyzing how the text works) than generalities. Click here for passage explication handout. You should use some of these strategies. Also, you will be graded on the APE Rubric.
Post here and please remember to put an extra space between paragraphs for easier reading.
You should be able to discuss any and all items with references to text.I recommend using post-it notes to mark your text and jot down reminders.We will not be able to cover all of this in class if your conversation probes text with appropriate depth, insight, and analysis.
You can obviously reference things not on this list—these are obvious things in the novel, but I would be happy to hear about things you would like to comment on, especially if they garner intellectual thought.
Monday, April 12th, 2010.Late Entry, Long Block:
In class: SLD, Volume 1, Preface & Chapters 1-9 (p.1-91)
Homework Due: Prep for SLD, chapter questions.
Chapter 1
Analyze how each character is described – Jane, Mrs. Reed, John, Georgiana, Eliza.
Analyze the exchange between John and Jane when John attacks Jane for her ‘imprudence’ at the end of the chapter.Examine this scene on as many literary levels as possible—character analysis, symbols, allusions, significance to plot, etc.
Chapter 2
Analyze how each character is described – Bessie, Abbot.
Examine the “Red Room” on as many literary levels as possible.A close reading of passage here would be helpful.
Chapter 3
Analyze how each character is described – Mr. Lloyd.
What is the most important paragraph in this chapter from the narrator?Why?
Chapter 4
Analyze how each character is described – Mr. Brocklehurst.
Examine the exchange he has with Jane. Examine this scene on as many literary levels as possible.
Examine the following symbols throughout the novel so far.Locate and trace the evolution of these symbols from chapter 1 through 4:Books, The Color Red, Bird Imagery, Nature (as it represents Jane’s mind).Continue to examine any of these symbols as they appear throughout the novel.
Chapter 5
Analyze how each character is described – MissTemple?
Analyze the significance of “Let your light shine so before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.”—St. Matt. V. 16.
Chapter 6
Analyze how each character is described – Miss Scatcherd, Helen Burns.
Chapter 7
Analyze how each character is described – Julia Severn, Mr. Brocklehurst.
Chapter 8
Analyze how each character is described – MissTemple.
Chapter 9
Analyze how each character is described – Mary Ann Wilson.
Analyze the significance of “Her grave is in Brocklebridge Churchyard: for fifteen years after her death it was only covered by a grassy mound; but now a gray marble tablet marks the spot, inscribed with her name, and the word ‘Resurgam’.”
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010 – Wednesday, April 14th, 2010.Day 3 & Day 2:
In class: SLD, Volume 1, Chapters 10-15 (p.91-156)
Late work for Major Assignments & Notebooks will have a letter grade deducted for every day late.
In full disclosure, I did not come up with these topics, but I do like them. I would cite or reference this, but I don’t know from where they came.
These are prompts, meant to prompt you to make some interesting and (provable with text) assertions:
When Jane returns to Rochester she finds him blind and the house burnt down. Has Rochester has changed and learnt from this experience? Consider chapter 37 “Jane! You think me, I dare say, an irreligious dog. . .”.
Do you feel that it is only now that Jane and Rochester can be equal? Does his blindness and reliance on her negate her social inferiority, or is that too harsh a view of their relationship?
What, in the final chapter, do we learn from their marriage? Does it represent fulfillment to both characters or is it the marriage still balancing of opposite values?
Why does the novel end with the reference to St. John Rivers, rather than to herself and Rochester?
