Jane Eyre Ch. 9-12 Questions

1. Is the music accurate with the book?

• Yes, I think the music is very accurate with the book. It compliments the emotions and feelings going on in each of the scenes and the dialogue flows with it tastefully. 

2. Comparisons:

• There were a lot of comparisons between the book and the dialogue that accompanied the music. It mentions the doll she gives her affection to as a child. It also explains the kindness that she wishes to get from Mrs. Reed but is unable to attain despite her efforts. Jane wishes to be free from the suffering she has at the hands of Mrs. Reed. The music also talked about Mr. Brocklehurst's views of Jane as  a naughty girl who can't be saved. He also says that Jane is prone to deceit and people should be cautioned around her because she tells lies. It mentions that Mrs. Scatcherd as demanding and that "she will show them the strap." The schools girls express their desire for better food. Helen says that Jane mustn't be revengeful. She must be strong and repay evil for good. Helen tells Jane not to lose faith or heart because God will restore her trust. 

3. On page 107-08, Bronte tells how glad Mrs. Fairfax is to have Jane for company now. She explains that there are others at Thornfield Hall, but they are servants, and "...one can't converse with them on terms of equality: one must keep them at due distance, for fear of losing one's authority." Do you agree with this? Should your parents, boss, teachers, youth leaders, etc. not be your "best friend" for authority's sake?

• I do agree with this statement. I don't think that parents, bosses, teachers, youth leaders, etc. should be that close to me to be considered my "best friend." If they are I think that their authority would be undermined and the seriousness of the relationship that should be there would dissipate. Anyone who is in a higher authority shouldn't become best friends with those who are under them. There needs to be a certain level of hierarchy and respect. If bosses and employees treated each other like "best friends" and were essentially on the same level then there's no point in being the boss. I think that if someone doesn't exercise their authority (in a productive way) and just lets the relationship become a friendship, they will no longer be able to effectively enforce things. 

4. On page 123, Bronte writes, "It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and thy will make it if they cannot find it." What do you think this means? Why?

• I think Bronte is saying that human beings need action in their lives. They cannot sit idly by the side for their whole entirety and if they cannot find any sort of action they will find some way to make it happen themselves. I think that human beings do need some sort of action in their lives. We were not made to be docile and shy away from action. I think that many people strive after adventure; people are curious and want to discover and learn new things. This does not come through a life of tranquility. If someone is surrounded by tranquility they may as Bronte put it, "make it [action] if they cannot find it." In this part of the book Jane is seeking after more excitement, after something new that she can discover. She is tired of the mundane and monotonous life that has become the norm, not that she isn't grateful of the job as governess. I think that many people are like this; they want to experience action of some kind even if they must make it happen themselves.

5. Do you agree with the following statement taken from page 123: "...millions in silent revolt against their lot"? Why or why not? Give examples.

• I agree with this statement. I think that there are many people who are not satisfied with their job or their station in life. There are so many people who go into a certain career because of monetary reasons or because their family members want them to. Because of this they are not truly happy with their job. The job becomes just a way to get money not an avenue for doing something they love. If you love your job then you really never have to work a day in your life. My dad wanted me to be a nurse but I have no interest in being a nurse at all. If I went to college to be a nurse I'm pretty sure I'd have a horrible time because I have no interest in it and working would become something that I would dread doing every day. There are millions of people who are unhappy or unsatisfied with their job or career because they are not doing something that best utilizes their talents. God gives everyone a different talent and calls us each to do different things.