Jane Eyre

“What is your tale of woe?” Orphaned? Abused? Abandoned by your family? Unloved? Jane Eyre may claim not to have one, but you may think otherwise; watching her life unfold before your eyes, through tragedy, heartache and dashed hopes. Yet, Charlotte Brontë’s classic tale is not about a life of misery, it is instead about the spirit of determination, perseverance and love of one Jane Eyre. In fact, the admiration for this character far overshadows the pity one might have for her, as she inspires us with her abundance of kindness, compassion and forgiveness, balanced with a strength and resilience of enviable measure.

Surviving physical and emotional abuse by her relatives and later the administration of the equally horrid Lowood school, Jane escapes when she is offered a position as governess to a young French girl at Thornfield Hall, after advertising her services. Mystery ensues as strange events unfold and the dark and moody master of the house, Mr. Rochester, is revealed while the most unlikely and unusual of love stories is found.

Not unfamiliar with the screen, “Jane Eyre” has been brought to life numerous times, and, while this version may not surpass the best, it is certainly to be held amongst them. Mia Wasikowska (“Alice In Wonderland”) is a tremendous Jane (as an actress would have to be to embody such a character), supported by the finest of actors, including Judi Dench as Mrs. Fairfax and Michael Fassbender as Mr. Rochester. Some may also recognize Tamzin Merchant of the 2005 version of “Pride and Prejudice.”

The character of Jane Eyre is most intriguing and exemplary. While she is outwardly mostly reserved and submissive, recognizing her place in that time in both rank and sex, she is not afraid to stand up for herself when she feels tremendous injustice or disrespect; and her inward strength, intelligence and passion for life speaks loudly, even when her voice does not.

1 Corinthians 7:17 says, “Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them” (NIV).

Jane never uses her misfortune as an excuse to do wrong, neither does she count herself misfortunate (displaying content in every situation, Philippians 4:12-13), but rather it seems to make her more loving and compassionate towards others and forgiving in the most difficult of circumstances. (Matthew 5:44 — “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” and Colossians 3:13 — “Bear with each other and forgive one another, if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”)

While Jesus is never directly mentioned in the film, Christian living and influence of the time is apparent in the mealtime prayers and moral standards. The most difficult scenes for me to watch were the ones in which she became a resident of Lowood, a boarding school for girls which strictly condemned the smallest imperfection as sin, in cruel and harsh ways, without the love we are supposed to have. I can’t imagine the kind of damage this has done in real life to countless people (including the author, who drew from her own experience) and how it must pain and disappoint God to be so misrepresented, particularly when the victims are children. Thankfully, our ray of light during this time is Jane’s only friend Helen, who encourages Jane, telling her in the end that she is happily going to God.

In my mind, “Jane Eyre” is the story of faith, hope and, ultimately, a quest for love, causing it to be a sometimes haunting, yet beautiful interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” 1 Cor. 4:13.

While possible offensive content is minor, parents may want to consider that some of the serious themes (including death, the subject of which being somewhat prevalent) may be too advanced for very young audiences.

Violence: A child is hit and blood trickles down her forehead. A bloody wound (the aftermath of an attack) is shown.

Sexual Content: A classical picture of a nude woman and child is shown twice, the second time up close and focused on the woman. A married man asks Jane to live as his wife, however she declines on moral grounds and respect for herself. There are multiple scenes of kissing, some lingering and passionate, yet modest.

Language: one instance of “what the devil”

Hell, as a place, is briefly discussed in attempts to frighten young Jane into submission. A story is told about a ghost who “sucks your blood.”

Violence: Minor / Profanity: None / Sex/Nudity: Mild

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.

• Positive
• Negative
• Young people