Tag Archives: jane eyre

Author’s Notes:

First off, who hasn’t had the whole “I don’t care if they like me” talk with themselves? Jane is trying to keep it together but this whole bit “And while she broke the seal and perused the document, I went on taking my coffee (we were at breakfast): it was hot, and I attributed to that circumstance a fiery glow which suddenly rose to my face. Why my hand shook, and why I involuntarily spilt half the contents of my cup into my saucer, I did not choose to consider.” cracks me up! 

Then we fly! I truly enjoyd writing this part of the book. It was my chance to really engage in the world and show the other places that we could go. This is also a hella long chapter!

Charlotte does something interesting in the chapter – when they are gathering in the parlor after dinner she switches to present tense. She also notes that Jane picks up a book when she sits, but when Mr. Rochester enters she is netting a purse. I edited out the book and put in the purse. It made sense that she was busy about something and having her work mechanisms seemed a little too much. My narrator, Danyda, pointed that out. 

Then we are into the whole romantically drama of it all! I remember doing this kind of thing when I was a teenager, entering into a room and either ignoring my crush or staring from across the room while he stared at me. The exquisite pain! “a precious yet poignant pleasure; pure gold, with a steely point of agony: a pleasure like what the thirst-perishing man might feel who knows the well to which he has crept is poisoned, yet stoops and drinks divine draughts nevertheless.”

Then we have the bashing session of governesses – wow is that a spiteful thing! Detestable? Incubi? Yow! 

I am not spanish speaker, so if you are reading and think the few Spanish phrases thrown in are not quite correct, please let me know!

Author’s Notes:

This chapter brought more of the household to light. Grace is the main suspect, but then we have the clue of sago. Sago is a starch that comes from palm trees. It is used to make dishes from the tropics. This is the food that is made for Ms Rochester or Bertha; food from her home country. Heartbreaking.

When Jane is puzzling over the clues that she has she knows that Mr. Rochester blamed Grace, but did not fire her and she considers maybe Mr. Rochester slept with her and now owes her something. It is baffling and understandably so, but she gets a bit priggish about it thinking that she is pretty good looking and more interesting.

Blanche Ingram – White Angel Raven. I am pushing for a little more diversity in the book and think Blanche, or now Blanca, would be a lovely Spanish woman. You will have to let me know if you think it overdone.

Author’s Notes:

I think I am clever in my naming chapters. Whether or not you think so, you will have to tell me. 

I have added a swarm of mechanical insects. The stitch is pulled through a few more chapters and I love the little mechanical babies. 

I have shifted the scene a bit because the promise of the book is steampunk and Mr Rochester does go on a bit and I need it to be a bit different than what we are used to. It is a lovely underwater hotel, and provides a different scene for all to take place in. I would love someday to have this illustrated as a graphic novel. Stretch goals! 

And then we have the strange night and Mr Rochester gets soaking wet! Teehee. The book leans into the gothic romance of it all and Jane can’t see what is under her nose because she can’t help but start falling for Mr Rochester. 

Author’s notes:

I think my favorite line in this chapter, if not the book is ““Yes, there is your ‘boite’ at last: take it into a corner, you genuine daughter of Paris, and amuse yourself with disembowelling it,” said the deep and rather sarcastic voice of Mr. Rochester, proceeding from the depths of an immense easy-chair at the fireside. “And mind,” he continued, “don’t bother me with any details of the anatomical process, or any notice of the condition of the entrails: let your operation be conducted in silence: tiens-toi tranquille, enfant; comprends-tu?””

The idea of disembowelling a gift makes Christmas so much more moody.

In this chapter Mr. Rochester goes on and on, trying to not say he is falling for her and thereby confuses her a great deal. She does get her wit in and stays true to what she thinks which is what I love about her. There is not much to change here as these are important conversations to the structure of the book, so I had to add a scene at the end to recenter the world were it was.

Author’s Notes:

I do enjoy this meeting. Mr Rochester questions her, but the delightful bits are Jane’s honesty and Mrs. Fairfax trying to keep up. She catches the train of conversation every once in a while and so desperately attempts to be a part of the tete-a-tete. 

We also discover a little more of her clockwork creations. This was something that occured to me early on in the creation of this book that I could adjust and instead of drawing give her mechanical ability aided by her unique eye. I had sort of imagined what these could look like and then discovered the work of Sue Beatrice (Watch parts sculpturesGallery of Custom Watch Parts Sculptures — All Natural Arts) I spent time looking over her work to gain detail inspiration for the mechanisms he observes. I would encourage you to discover her work!! In the description of Jane’s second creation I note the angel is holding an apple and a golden coin. This is an easter egg for those who deep study folklore – in the Grimm tale “How Children Played at Slaughtering” a child is given a choice – apple or coin. One shows innocence and one shows maturity. It is a dark story, so be warned before you go looking for it! 

Also, Mrs. Fairfax notes that Mr Rochester has been in possession of the house for nine years. So when he came into his inheritance, we were just meeting Jane at the very beginning of the book. We are sympathizing with a little girl and unknown to us at that same moment Mr Rochester has lost his entire family and come into fortune. He must have already put his wife in the attic and started on his quest of finding a mistress, because Adele is already ten when she is introduced to Jane. Seems a bit tight of a timeline…

Author’s Notes:

In this chapter Jane becomes a bit boared of her life at Thornfield (that didn’t take long) but I suppose if she had spent the last eight years surrounded by a gaggle of girls this is now a very quiet life indeed. She describes spending time walking along the third story and imagining a life that seems out of her reach.
This is where Charlotte also lays down the paragraph that was considered so very radical at the time – that women also feel as men do! Shocker! Good on her for realizing and promoting that.
Then there is that line about Grace Poole “and shortly return, generally (oh, romantic reader, forgive me for telling the plain truth!) bearing a pot of porter. ” Clutch your pearls, she was a drinker! God, I love this book. She assumes kind things about the readers gentility.
And then, finally, here is Mr Rochester. Brusque and not terribly likeable, falling all over the road. Heeeee’s heeeeere! EEEE!

Author’s Notes:

There is a lot packed into this chapter – travel across the continents, meeting new people, seeing the house for the first time and the first hint that something is amiss at this strange grand house. Jane notices much but does not understand all of it, and she is only nineteen just arriving from an orphanage.
I have added a number of little lovely tidbits that make me quite happy. Her trip from India is brief, but she still gets to interact with a number of different people. It takes a bit for her to fully understand the house is a floating manor, but when she does she is ready to explore! Sophie, dear Sophie is now a mechanical. Because, why not?

Authors Notes:

I do love that Jane has such deep self reflection. She discovers that she wants something different and she focuses on it until she figures out how to get it. This chapter did not take as much editing, but brought up new questions – what to call the cleargy of the Hindu-Christan religion that I had created….? I have decided on CleargyPundit, as both allow for marrige. I still think she is not as religious, but she does observe the faith and it is a practical aspect of her life.
Bessie shows up and provides some follow up on what has happened to the Reeds. It keeps the stitch in the book so when her Aunt asks for her we are still somewhat caught up on things. “

Authors Notes:

This chapter is like eating a whole pumpkin pie at once. The first bite is sweet and lovely, but the further we go in the more it will hurt. The illness arrives at Lowood and for some it is tragedy and for others it is a bettering of life. For Jane it is the latter – more food, more freedom and a friend. MaryAnn is now Maryam and I would love to write a whole story about her and her clockwork heart. I would love a poem about her. I imagine her as an orphan, a muslim, who is in love with women, dies of a broken heart. Lady of Shalot style. It would be a tragedy and brutal to write, but lovely.

They come upon a new addion to their world – Gouloka, the derelict yard where they reign and rummage. I would love to see more stories about what Jane builds and sees there, but perhaps another time.

But then we come to the point of the chapter – Helen Burns dies of consumption. I love how Jane understands mortality just in time to see Helen off to the other world. It is beautiful and I am grateful that she matures just in time.

Book available for preorder!

In the begining of the chapter Charlotte uses the phrase “silent as an Indian”. I have decided to leave it in there and see what the reader associates with the word “Indian”. My use and perception is that it means a person from India – but my brain did puzzle a bit…A few minor changes, Miss Mandir’s servent is Bimala and Jane begins learning horology. It is when she first feels loved and heard by an adult and makes a deep impression on her. It is also where we realize that Miss Mandir knows Helen is sick and will die from her illness. Even in a rewrite, I cannot change the fate of Helen Burns.