The Domestication of Mr. Rochester

Part II of Jane Eyre - BBC Book Adaptations starring Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephans was eagerly awaited as this part contained the most drama.

The death of Mrs. Reed brings Jane back to her beloved Thornton. She is hopelessly in love with Rochester, her station (as the poor governess) prevents any hopes. She is sure he will soon marry Blanche Ingram and she would be sent away. But Rochester proposes to her and gets her a pretty dress too. Just when her happiness is about to be culminated, her nuptials are interrupted by Mason who claims that Rochester is married, and cannot marry again. Ahhh... the drama. Thats when Jane finds out about the mysterious occupant of the north wing, a raving lunatic that Rochester was tricked into marrying.

Jane flees, and is taken in by St John and his sisters. She discovers a legacy and some relations and is reconciled to the idea of living a humdrum life pining for Rochester. But one night, when she is wavering over a decision to marry St John she hears Rochester call out to her. She goes back to Thornton to find it burned down, and Rochester living as a blind man. His crazed wife had burned the house down and thankfully perished. So Jane gets him back.

I do know the story does proceed this way, though the series took a bit of liberty of modernising it by having Roch and Jane kiss each other crazily at times. I wonder if it was allowed for a man to kiss a woman before marriage then. And then we even had Rochester make an indecent proposal to Jane, something about living together forever because he could not marry her... in separate bedrooms of course, but ohhh such a wicked idea. During the final proposal Roch tells Jane that he wants a wife, not a nursemaid, someone to share his bed at night, and even during the day. While wicked ole Jane just smiles back instead of being horrorstruck. The end-scene had the blind Roch smiling happily as he is made to hold his baby, while another nestles in Jane's arms. Hmmm.. so finally Roch and Jane get laid. But really, I am sure Ms. Bronte was not so risque. It seems like a bit of a modernising pitch on part of the series writer.

Well, whatever, it was more fun seeing Jane romancing the wild Rochester uninhibitedly and the ultimate domestication of Mr. R.

Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre (1847) is the first lady of Romance. Oh Yes, Eliza Bennett came in before her chronologically, in 1813. But P&P is such a family thing, Eliza is always in a group of females, sisters, aunts et all. Jane Eyre, by contrast, is alone with Rochester most time, they are two lonely birds who are thrown together by fate. All encounters between Roch and Jane sizzle and hiss with anticipation.

Jane is an orphan, penniless, with no prospects at all. All she has is this purity and the hope (inherent in all young people) that life is soon going to get good for them. She has none of the cynicism that age brings. Life is lived by her day to day. Rochester hopes to find redemption for all his 'sins' with a life with her.

There is enough spice in the romance to keep it from cloying in your mouth. Jane is a good girl, but she does not throw the fact in anyone's face. Rochester is the mixture of angel and devil that is simply tantalising, like a bittersweet dark chocolate - yum yum. He is loaded with moolah too, which is a such a must for romance. Whats the fun in falling for a beggar? There is a proper triangle with the glamourous lady, Blanche Ingram, an equal to Rochester in social status, gunning for the position of Lady Rochester.

I dont quite like the fate that Charlotte Bronte metes out to the lovers ultimately, it seems a tad harsh. But better than the lovers melting too soon together like a chunk of warm choclate and vanilla icecream.

All my readers who have been following my recent posts will know by now that Zee Studio is now showing Jane Eyre on the BBC Book Adaptation series. Like the earlier ones, this one too is blessed by great performances and wonderful production values. Toby Stephans is playing Rochester and I wish I could pour melted choclate on him and eat him.... Sigh ! Ruth Wilson does Jane Eyre with great charm. She has just two dull grey dresses to charm Rochester with, and the rosy fresh face. She is a bit quiet in this version, not as feisty as Jane was supposed to be.

I love the whole thing, the beautiful vistas of extended gardens, a castle with dark rooms, candlelights and lanterns, the clothes, the furniture, the language. It brings the book alive.

Vanity Fair

Times change, Values change too. Becky Sharp was considered a terrible female when the novel came out. These days she would be considered a smart female, probably at the top of the ladder, a CEO of a large corporate perhaps. Amelia Sedly is all sugar, seeing good in people till you feel sickened. Her fiance is a blackguard, her brother is a fool, her father is a compulsive gambler, but she thinks they are all cats whiskers. Becky can see through a person at a glance, and knowing she has to make her way up in the world through her wits, she exploits the weakness of men and women. Here is a girl who makes lemonade when life deals her with lemons. A true survivor.

These are the thoughts that raced through my head when I watched the recently concluded TV adaptation of Vanity Fair by ye goode olde BBC

The production values are simply superb. The actors are simply APT. Natasha Little brings Becky Sharp to life. Amelia Sedly is played by Frances Grey.

I have read Vanity Fair when I was young. After the first batch of episodes aired (two episodes of an hour back to back) I nearly went and got the book. But then I remembered gutenberg.org and downloaded a free ebook. William Makepeace Thackeray is very witty and I am enjoying re-reading the book. More on this in the book-blog when I am thru.