Topic 6 of 84: The Role of Governess in AG & JE
Sun, Jul 13, 1997 (20:33) |
Amy Wolf (amy2)
Both JANE EYRE & AGNES GREY deal to some extent with governessing, the latter to a great degree. How do you feel that Charlotte & Anne differ in presenting their views on this topic?
I'll begin by saying that I think AG is _about_ governessing -- it's almost a primer -- while JE merely incorporates this function, but is primarily about something else. I also think that Anne's heightened sense of piety colors AG, while Charlotte's more volcanic romanticism informs JE.
11 responses total.
Topic 6 of 84 [bronte]: The Role of Governess in AG & JE
Response 1 of 11: Lorie Scafaro (LorieS) * Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (00:22) * 3 lines
Anne really was a governess (and a successful one) while Charlotte never was very good at the job -- she was constantly seeking something else to do (be a student in Brussells, for example) and living in her imagination. While it might be more interesting to read strictly imaginative literature, it might not be as good a way to live your life.
Anyway, compare second novels (JE was Charlotte's first published, because her first novel, The Professor, wasn't good enough to get accepted when Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey DID). The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is more imaginative and romantic, although Gilbert is not as wickedly sexy as Mr. Rochester.
Topic 6 of 84 [bronte]: The Role of Governess in AG & JE
Response 2 of 11: Amy Wolf (amy2) * Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (11:41) * 1 lines
It did take Charlotte longer to hit her novelistic stride, but when she did, look out! I have to say, I'm not a huge fan of TENANT -- I don't know why. It seems more a point-by-point recitation of brutality -- to me, it doesn't have the narrative flow of JE or AGNES GREY. I'm really curious to see the film adaptation & how they handled the extended flashback, etc.
Topic 6 of 84 [bronte]: The Role of Governess in AG & JE
Response 3 of 11: Susan (Susan) * Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (23:27) * 1 lines
It *was* brutal, Amy, but I thought the narrative flowed well. It repulsed and fascinated me at the same time, and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next! The advance press on the adaptation seems to be good; I'm really looking forward to seeing it.
Topic 6 of 84 [bronte]: The Role of Governess in AG & JE
Response 4 of 11: Amy Wolf (amy2) * Tue, Aug 26, 1997 (11:21) * 1 lines
Susan - I've heard really good things about it! I guess what I had a problem with in TENANT is this: Just when I was getting completely involved in Gilbert & his travails in wooing Helen, along comes this very long "epistle" from her detailing her past life, & I felt snatched from the main action. I had a hard time re-focusing on _Helen_, and then, I got so engrossed in HER story, I felt jarred when Anne took us back to the present!
Topic 6 of 84 [bronte]: The Role of Governess in AG & JE
Response 5 of 11: Lorie Scafaro (LorieS) * Tue, Aug 26, 1997 (13:53) * 4 lines
Hi! I thought I'd entered a response here yesterday, but evidently it was eaten by the Yapp monster.
Give, give, GIVE info on this film adaptation! Is it on video? For theatrical release? I'm an Anne fan, although I love Charlotte's novels as well, and I'd love to see if an adaptation can get around the awkward flashback sequence (maybe by spreading it out?).
Topic 6 of 84 [bronte]: The Role of Governess in AG & JE
Response 6 of 11: Amy Wolf (amy2) * Tue, Aug 26, 1997 (20:42) * 1 lines
Lorie: I haven't seen it, since it hasn't aired in the States, but has in Canada. I see it's for sale at the Bronte Parsonage Gift Soft, so I may buy it there.
Topic 6 of 84 [bronte]: The Role of Governess in AG & JE
Response 7 of 11: Amy Wolf (amy2) * Tue, Aug 26, 1997 (20:42) * 1 lines
Lorie: I haven't seen it, since it hasn't aired in the States, but has in Canada. I see it's for sale at the Bronte Parsonage Gift Store, so I may buy it there.
Topic 6 of 84 [bronte]: The Role of Governess in AG & JE
Response 8 of 11: Susan (Susan) * Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (00:11) * 3 lines
Amy, I guess I just don't mind flashbacks, although I know some people do. For instance, The English Patient was far from my favorite movie, but the flashbacks didn't bother me at all. However, even people who liked it complained about them.
In Tenant, I felt that it wasn't until the flashbacks that I could get to know, let alone like, Helen. Some of the people who saw it in Canada posted at Pemberley, and said they liked the way it was handled, and were happy with the casting. We can only hope, I guess -- I'm looking forward to it very much!
Topic 6 of 84 [bronte]: The Role of Governess in AG & JE
Response 9 of 11: Amy Wolf (amy2) * Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (11:36) * 3 lines
Extended flashbacks have always bothered me -- for me, they take me out of the story. I thought ENGLISH PATIENT's structure was very fragmented. But I understand they've done something clever with the TENANT F.B. in the latest version, which I'm curious to see.
BTW, Here's a potential tragedy brewing: PBS is airing Part I of TENANT while A&E is airing the new JANE EYRE -on the same night- : Oct. 19th. What shall we do?!
Topic 6 of 84 [bronte]: The Role of Governess in AG & JE
Response 10 of 11: Susan (Susan) * Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (16:58) * 11 lines
Amy, this was posted by Cheryl on the VirtView board at Pemberley:
JANE EYRE will premiere on October 19th at 8PM ET, 9PM PT. The program will
repeat on October 21st at 9PM ET, 10PM PT. Please check your local listings on
that date.
JANE EYRE is a 2 1/2 hour presentation.
So that still gives people the opportunity to tape both. But one has to wonder why it's always feast or famine!!!
Topic 6 of 84 [bronte]: The Role of Governess in AG & JE
Response 11 of 11: Amy Wolf (amy2) * Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (19:38) * 1 lines
That is good to know! Otherwise, we Bronte fans would be in a terrible dilemma!
bronte conference 
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