Good Morning,
Today we are going to be thinking about The Eyre Affair by looking at the source of some of the characters that it reappropriates, Jane Eyre. I will be presenting a power point that covers Charlotte Bronte's background, The Victorian Era, the novel, and the novel's adaptations. Afterward, we will look at one of the recent film adaptations.
Class Credit: Post a comment to the blog that responds to Fforde's use of Bronte's characters in light of what you have seen in class today. To help you think of something to write, you might one to consider one or more of the following questions: What types of scenes does Fforde choose to depict, and why do you think he chooses them? Does Fforde seem faithful to the characters, why or why not?
Today we are going to be thinking about The Eyre Affair by looking at the source of some of the characters that it reappropriates, Jane Eyre. I will be presenting a power point that covers Charlotte Bronte's background, The Victorian Era, the novel, and the novel's adaptations. Afterward, we will look at one of the recent film adaptations.
Class Credit: Post a comment to the blog that responds to Fforde's use of Bronte's characters in light of what you have seen in class today. To help you think of something to write, you might one to consider one or more of the following questions: What types of scenes does Fforde choose to depict, and why do you think he chooses them? Does Fforde seem faithful to the characters, why or why not?
Taylor Rugg
ReplyDeleteFforde chose not to show the scenes where Rochester was not treating Jane with respect, only the times when he was expressing love for her. The only glimpse of an "unkind" side of Rochester in Fforde's novel is the reference to Jane discovering the fire when Rochester is sleeping and dousing him with water to save his life; Rochester's initial reaction is anger. But once he realized that his life has been saved, he softens. Fforde did not include Rochester's unkindness because he wanted Rochester to be a trusted character since he was so necessary to Thursday's success.
Harrison,
ReplyDeleteBronte's characters all have an outward "character" they present to the world and an inner character that is stuck in battle with that outward character. Fforde chooses scenes in order to illustrate this struggle, to move the story forward while also examining the inner-self of the characters. Examples of this can be seen in many of the Jane's interaction with Rochester. HIs outward character is brash, harsh and immediate. Through his scenes and interaction with Jane it becomes slowly apparent (through is questions and dialogue) that he is swayed by emotion, and self conscious. He asks Jane what she thinks of him constantly and refers to himself, though jokingly, as repulsive and ugly. Jane's outward character of polite woman is in battle with her more adventurous, obstinate, and strong willed self. This too, is explored through her scenes.
Fforde looks at the characters from Jane Eyre in the context of a wacky sci-fi story featuring bundles of magical realism and inside literary jokes. The characters, plucked out of Jane Eyre, are bent to Fforde's will for his novel. However, it is obvious that a certain amount of love and care went into his writing—far from a parody of any sorts, it is an affectionate look at the power and magic of literature and, especially, Jane Eyre. It is obvious that Fforde is a literary buff, having studied seemingly all the works he mentioned as he nails out specific, esoteric details. He puts the characters in scenes that work for his novel but also respect the characters of the work he's adapting, though it can lead to surprisingly funny sequences. The startling amount of information he has makes him very faithful to the characters, because he knows not to screw around with these classics too much. Fforde's not trying to degrade them—he just wants to have some fun with them in the best, most fond way he knows.
ReplyDeleteIn the Eyre Affair, Fforde writes a scene where they take they take Jane Eyre from the novel. He has Jane professing her love and Hobbes notes that they haven't even fallen in love yet. Before that, Grace Poole sets Rochester's bedroom on fire and does her part in the novel. When Hobbes asks if Grace will stop him, she simply replies that she does what is written. Fforde is faithful here, but in a humorous sense where they mindlessly follow what is set before them.
ReplyDeleteIn his novel, Fforde depicts the scene where Jane and Rochester first meet (it is Thursday who causes him to fall off his horse), and later, the scene when the madwoman sets Thornfield on fire (and Jane is stolen from the book by Hobbes). Jane Eyre is portrayed in The Eyre Affair as a semi-flat character, one who only professes her love for Rochester. There is little evidence of her being the self-willed, determined woman that her novel makes her out to be. Rochester, as well, is devoted to Jane, but is a much more dynamic character in the Eyre Affair, viewing the world outside the novel analytically, as he serves a different purpose in the Eyre Affair--to save Thursday and protect his novel.
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ReplyDeleteIn Jane Eyre, Rochester is initially depicted as unkind, rude and disrespectful to Jane. His unpleasantness is not the focus of Fforde's novel, and as Thursday and Rochester are already acquainted, the side he originally shows to Jane is not focused on. Jane's character is not nearly as developed as Rochester or Thursday's, and so Rochester's early and brash interactions with her are not necessarily as important. Fforde's novel is more consistent with the plot and ending (the house ultimately ends up burning down, etc.) of the original Jane Eyre novel rather than the character of Jane itself.
ReplyDeleteIn the Eyre Affair, Fforde incorporates the feminist, powerful female character of Jane in Thursday. Also, Fforde puts the scene where Jane and Rochester meet, as well as when Jane goes to save Rochester from the fire. Scenes where Rochester was rude to Jane are not shown in the novel, probably to keep it as a romantic feeling story. In general, ye I think Fforde stays loyal to the characters, except that I think Rochester's mean side is not shown at all.
ReplyDeleteC. Walker
ReplyDeleteFforde makes the novel less intense than this current depiction of it, but also seems to mostly keep the confident, commanding persona of Jane in the novels. This move seems to go more in depth with Jane and Rochester's relationship, but all in all the novel was a nice compliment to the film and vice versa
Fforde uses the scene of Rochester falling off of his horse when Jane is walking. He probably uses this scene to depict the character of Rochester especially because he uses him as a hero in The Eyre Affair. Another scene he uses was the fire in Rochester's bedroom. This shows Jane's love for him when she saves him. This scene in particular highlight's Jane's character. I don't think Fforde stays faithful to Rochester's character in a sense that he only shows the good, loving, caring side of him, whereas the movie shows both sides of Rochester.
ReplyDeleteBriyanna Brinkley
ReplyDeleteFforde choose not to show the scenes when Rochester was being cruel, I feel as though he wanted Rochester to be seen as a character that everyone could fall in love with. He often showed Rochester as the “soft” man who only wanted to show his love for Jane. The only time he expressed any emotion other than love for her was when she had help him out of the water, and saved him from the fire in his bedroom. After realizing that she had risked her life to save his, Rochester’s whole attitude changed toward Jane. As for in the novel Fforde wanted to make Rochester a character everyone could trust because he was to become such a big part of Thursday’s success, but in the movie Fforde only shows the one side of Rochester, he portrays him as this "hero" whereas in the movie you see the loving, caring and as well as the cruel sides of Rochester.
Fforde helps to make the novel less serious and brings light to what seems like such a serious topic. He decided not to show the scenes when Rochester was being cruel and malicious and that was probably to get the audience to fall in love with his character. Fforde adds a touch of feminism with the strong female character Thursday. With both powerful characters Rochester and Thursday, both characters were equal as far. as complete status went. These characters were pulled from Jane's Eyre Affair and were twisted and bent in order to better suit the plot of Fforde's novel. The movie does the other side of Rochester which I think takes away the love that the audience would have for him. The movie I think has a deeper look into Rochester and Thursday's relationship.
ReplyDeleteMariah Gonzalez
ReplyDeleteAt the start of the movie, Fforde chooses to show scenes in which Mr. Rochester and Jane begin to grow feelings for the other. As the movie goes on, he demonstrates scenes in which Mr. Rochester shows anger towards Jane rather then love. Fforde does this in order to depict Mr. Rochester’s feelings growing stronger toward Jane. He becomes rash and impatient towards her, in fear of developing emotions in which he may not want to have. Jane is depicted as a strong woman in the movie. Fforde’s scene in which Jane stands up to Rochester demonstrates the characterization of Jane. She has been an outspoken character since she was young, the scene in which she stands up to her aunt demonstrating her strong willed personality. Fforde’s characters are round rather then flat. Due to the constant development of them as the story continues, I do think Fforde is faithful to his characters.
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