"A loving eye is all the charm needed" ~ Jane Eyre

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Samatha Morton's Jane Eyre
Charlotte Bronte's Heroine Jane Eyre, may not have been graced with beauty or money, but she had a spirit of fire and that is what makes us admire her. In the theatrical adaptations we get to see two interpretations per show or movie. The one of a young actress who takes on the role of young Jane, and the one of a grown actress who takes on from childhood. The mix of these two actresses is what gives flavor to the performance. Not to many movies or plays have two people playing the title role.
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Anna Paquin's Young Jane

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Many actresses have played Jane or Young Jane. Joan Fontiane kept Jane's grace and dignity, but added a pretty, but nervous school teacher side to her. Someone actually flirted with her in the movie. Charlotte Gainsburg stuck to Charlotte Bronte's vision, but made Jane rather harsh and sharp. Samantha Morton gave Jane a sense of humor, while sticking closely to the novel. Marla Schaffel brought Jane to life through music. Young Jane's have also been well known. Sara Farb keeps to Charlotte Bronte's image of little Jane, but sweeps through our hearts with her musical talents. Also, Anna Paquin and Peggy Ann Garner both did remarkable jobs as young Jane.
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"I should keep myself in good health and never die" ~ Jane Eyre

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Jane and Adele
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"There is no happiness like that of being loved by your fellow creatures, and feeling that your presence is an addition to their comfort." ~ Jane Eyre

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A Short Biography of Jane Eyre


Jane was born to a poor family. When her parents died, she was sent to her Uncle and Aunt Reed. Her Uncle cared for her and loved her as one of his own, but his wife, Mrs. Reed, did not care for Jane. After Mr. Reed died, Mrs. Reed neglected the poor child. Meanwhile, she pampered her own children. After much thought, Mrs. Reed sent Jane off to Lowood. A school run by Mr. Brocklehurst, who believed that suffering made grand people, and neglected all the children. At Lowood, Jane met Helen Burns, who guided her with vision and light for the rest of her life. Helen died from a fever with Jane in her arms. Jane stayed at Lowood for ten years, eight as a student and two as a teacher. Tired with her meager surroundings, Jane decides to apply as a governess elsewhere.

Jane and Rochester


Jane Eyre Jane found employment at Thornfield, which was owned by Edward Fairfax Rochester. She taught his ward, Adele, a child that he had with a French Mistress. Rochester confides in her and becomes her friend. Jane falls in love with him. Unfortunately, it seems to her that he is going to marry Blanche Ingram, a rich and beautiful woman. She falls into disappear and makes plans to leave Thornfield when Rochester proposes to her. They live as a happy couple for a month. Then, on their wedding day, it is revealed that Edward already has a wife living. Bertha Mason is his wife, a mad woman who was living in the closed off areas of Thornfield. Jane runs from Thornfield. She suffers through three days of starving until she comes to Moor House. There Mary and Diana Rivers take her in. They have a brother, St. John, who finds Jane a job as a school teacher. During this time, Jane finds out that her Uncle who lived in Madeira left her 20,000 pounds. She also finds out that St. John, Mary, and Diana are her cousins. Being the kind soul she is, Jane distributes the 20,000 pounds between herself and her cousins, keeping 5,000 pounds. St. John proposes to her because he thinks Jane would make a good missionary's wife. She is about to accept when she hears Edward Rochester's voice cry out her name three times from nowhere. She replies, "Where are you! I am coming!" A few days later she shows up at Thornfield to find out that it is a ruined place. From an old man she finds out that Bertha Mason had started the fire that ruined the house. She also was killed. In an attempt to save her, Mr. Rochester lost his vision as well as his hand. She finds him, they express their love for each other, and are married.
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Jane Eyre Speaks

Here are some wav files linked off a Chicago Page. (Don't ask me. They are from Jane Eyre the musical though.) Sometime I am going to make some of my own wavs and use them instead, but until then, listen to Marla Schaffel as Jane Eyre.

  • Painting Her Portrait --This is Jane singing about Blanche Ingram
  • Secret Soul -- Jane and Rochester admit thier love for each other.
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