«JANE EYRE.CLASSIC MASTERPIECE THROUGH THE FILM OR THE NOVEL?

РОССИЙСКАЯ ФЕДЕРАЦИЯ

Ханты-Мансийский автономный округ - Югра  (Тюменская область)

город Нижневартовск

Научно-исследовательская работа
на VII городской Слёт
научных обществ обучающихся образовательных учреждений города Нижневартовска

Исследовательская  работа

«JANE EYRE.CLASSIC MASTERPIECE THROUGH THE FILM OR THE NOVEL?

Автор:                                                           Казанцева Мария Олеговна

                                                                                               10«б» класс

 Руководитель:                                              Валиева Гульназ Нафисовна

учитель английского языка

2011г.

                                                                    АННОТАЦИЯ

«JANE EYRE.CLASSIC MASTERPIECE THROUGH THE FILM OR THE NOVEL? »  

Казанцева Мария Олеговна

Ханты-Мансийский автономный округ-Югра (Тюменская область), г. Нижневартовск

Муниципальная общеобразовательная средняя школа № 23 с углубленным изучением иностранных языков, 10Б класс

Чтение как вид досуга стал менее популярен. При исследовании мною был прочитан роман «Джен Эйр» и просмотрен одноименный фильм. В качестве методов я использовала метод сравнения и метод анализа и синтеза, что позволило мне подтвердить выдвинутую гипотезу.  В своём исследовании я подтвердила, что можно изучать английскую литературу, в частности роман «Джен Эйр» через просмотр видео фильма. Не важно, через видео или через чтение, самое главное это погружение в английскую литературу.  Практическая значимость моей работы заключается в том, что я создала словарь описательных прилагательных и постраничные комментарии к роману, которые помогут читателям при изучающем чтении. Литературный текст «Джен Эйр» многослоен, что дает возможность для интерактивных дискуссий по актуальным и на сегодняшний день темам.

 «JANE EYRE.CLASSIC MASTERPIECE THROUGH THE FILM OR THE NOVEL? »  

Казанцева Мария Олеговна

Ханты-Мансийский автономный округ-Югра (Тюменская область), г. Нижневартовск

Муниципальная общеобразовательная средняя школа № 23 с углубленным изучением иностранных языков, 10Б класс

Research Plan

The importance of reading in the process of learning a foreign language goes without saying. We have a Home Reading lesson once a week, where we get in touch with classical masterpiece of different English and American writers. However my classmates prefer watching TV to reading books. I made up my mind to do the research on film and novel analyses.

Hypothesis: If there is no sensible difference between the novel and the film, it will be possible to learn the classical literature through the video. 

The aim of my research work is to compare the novel and the film and to find out is it possible to learn the classical literature through the video. To reach this aim I should solve the following tasks:

1. To read the novel «Jane Eyre».
2. To watch the film «Jane Eyre».
3. To compare the novel and the film.
4. To make a reasonable  conclusion.

The methods that were used in this research work are listed below:

• Theoretical review (based on the material of well known English linguists.)
• Analyses and syntheses.
• Method of comparison.

        Bibliography:

1. Bronte Charlotte “Jane Eyre”. M. 1995. 158 p.
2. DVD film. “Jane Eyre”. Julian Charles Becket Amyes
3. Macmillan English Dictionary. For Advanced Learners. New Edition.UK.1748 p.

Contents

1. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………… 5

2. Part 1.Charlotte Bronte. Biography and the novel review ………………………………… 6

3. Part 2.Some facts about the film “Jane Eyre”……………………………………………… 7

4. Part 3. Novel and film comparison………………………………………………………….8

5. Part 4. Descriptive adjectives……………………………………………………………….11

6. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….13

7. Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………..14

Introduction

The importance of reading in the process of learning a foreign language goes without saying. We have a Home Reading lesson once a week, where we get in touch with classical masterpiece of different English and American writers. However my classmates prefer watching TV to reading books. I made up my mind to do the research on film and novel analyses. I have chosen «Jane Eyre» by Charlotte Bronte because next year it is in our program. Hypothesis: If there is no sensible difference between the novel and the film, it will be possible to learn the classical literature through the video. The aim of my research work is to compare the novel and the film and to find out is it possible to learn the classical literature through the video. To reach this aim I should solve the following tasks: a) to read the novel «Jane Eyre», b) to watch the film «Jane Eyre», c) to compare the novel and the film, d) to make a conclusion. Many critics argue that the novel is simply a reflection of Bronte's life. The book «Jane Eyre» is beautifully written, with poetic descriptions and excellent dialogue. The writer has created a dramatic, gripping plot with well-developed, very believable characters, letting us see into the soul of a sensitive but strong young woman. The story is very descriptive with a lot adjectives, the lack of love has already been shown as Jane lacks love from others. The film is also exciting and overwhelming. It was produced by Julian Charles Becket Amyes. Rarely has a motion picture presented a tale of romance with such sensitivity, and power as this 1983 Julian Amyes adaptation of the Charlotte Bronte classic Jane Eyre. The cast of the film Credit Zelah Clarke (Jane) and Timothy Dalton (Edward Fairfax Rochester) for the success of the film. I have used the following methods in my work: analyses and syntheses and  the method of comparison.

Part 1. Charlotte Bronte. Biography and the novel review.

Charlotte Bronte was born 21st of July 1816 in Thornton, Yorkshire, in the north of England, the daughter of an Anglican clergyman Patrick Bronte and his wife Mary. There were 5 children in the family except Charlotte. Mary Bronte died in 1821 and left children to the care of their strict, religious aunt, Elisabeth Branwell and widower. Before the wife’s death father Patrick was a merry man who liked to sing, to write poems and published two little books. After this tragedy he became sad, retired into his shell, forgot about poems, songs and smiles. Scared father took Emily and Charlotte off institute and since then their aunt and their father’s books taught them. Patrick Bronte’s library was his treasure; sometimes he even bought expensive books from London. He let children read books but claimed discipline and silence when he worked. In a place of forbidden games little Brontes found other interesting things. However Patrick Bronte didn’t like that children didn’t get serious education and became very shy. He decided to send one daughter to the Margaret Wooler School at Roe Head. Emily didn’t accept this suggestion and Charlotte attended the school. It was advanced school for these times where teachers didn’t use physical punishments. Later she remembered life in Roe Head with warm feelings. She got good education, developed her writer talent and got friends who helped her all her life. She finished the school in 1832 and in 1835-1838 worked there as a teacher of French and drawing. She used all her teacher experiences and pedagogical thoughts in her books later. Anne, youngest Charlotte’s sister, studied at school in Roe Head too and finished it in 1838. To this time she also started to apply the literature. Charlotte tried to earn for her living as a governess, but her efforts were hindered by her disabling shyness, her ignorance of normal children, and her yearning to be with her sisters. After this they wrote the stories: «The professor» (Charlotte), «Wuthering Heights» (Emily) and «Agnes Grey» (Anne). Last two were published but «The professor» never found a publisher during her lifetime. However Charlotte continued her writer work. She began «Jane Eyre». The heroine is a penniless orphan who becomes a teacher, obtains a post as a governess, inherits money from an uncle, and marries the Byronic hero in the end. The book «Jane Eyre» is beautifully written, with poetic descriptions and excellent dialogue. The writer has created a dramatic, gripping plot with well-developed, very believable characters, letting us see into the soul of a sensitive but strong young woman. This book`s fascinating plot is guaranteed to keep the reader absorbed from beginning to end. The story is very descriptive with a lot adjectives, the lack of love has already been shown as Jane lacks love from others. The story was written in sympathy of Jane because it describes Jane’s feelings and makes the reader emotional. Jane Eyre, the main character of the novel, is an orphan who has a very unhappy childhood. Despite this, she becomes a strong-willed young woman. When she leaves the orphanage she becomes the governess at Tornfield Hall, Mr Rochester`s mansions. Strange things begin to happen there, and when a mysterious secret is revealed, Jane`s life is changed forever . If you are looking for a romantic but mysterious story about a lonely woman who, after mane strange  experience, finds lasting love, you should definitely read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.  Don`t miss your chance to read this classic masterpiece. Once you have read it, you will never forget it.

Part 2. Some facts about  the film “Jane Eyre”

Julian Charles Becket Amyes (1917–1992) was a British film and television director and producer.The film Jane Eyre was produced in 1983 for the BBC. Rarely has a motion picture presented a tale of romance with such sensitivity, and power as this 1983 Julian Amyes adaptation of the Charlotte Bronte classic Jane Eyre. Credit Zelah Clarke (Jane) and Timothy Dalton (Edward Fairfax Rochester) for the success of the film. Perfectly cast in their roles as lovers separated by untold secrets and repressed emotions, they act beautifully together, mixing chemistry and charisma to produce the kind of magic that holds audiences in thrall. They are to each other as rain is to drought, but each must spend tortured days waiting for the rain, contending with the gloom of the landscape, the emptiness of unfulfilled longing and, of course, the mad woman in the attic who keeps them apart. Director Amyes enhances the sense of emotional desolation and isolation by skillfully creating the severe, forbidding settings -- Lowood, where Jane grew up as an orphan, and Thornfield Hall, where Jane serves as a governess to Rochester's charge, Adele. Mary Tamm is superb in her supporting performance as Blanche Ingram, Rochester's fianceé until Jane wins his heart.

Conclusion:

I have  seen this particular film adaptation of Jane Eyre twice, and I am still not tired of it. As a faithful fan of the book Jane Eyre, I could not be more pleased with the cast and their faithfulness to Bronte's characters. They make an odd pairing for such a profound love story, but I believe them. I watch feeling as if it could only be them telling the story, and that is perhaps why I keep coming back to the movie. I liked it is so nice and it leave you in leave you in those period of time and I liked also the way they talked the English and Timothy and Zelah are very good and pleasant actors. it is a pity that I can not be in touch with them. I will be more than happy if I could.

Part 3. The novel and the film comparison.

 Let us do more detailed research of the film and the novel.

3.1 Characters

Jane Eyre: The protagonist of the novel and the title character. Orphaned as a baby, she struggles through her nearly loveless childhood and becomes governess at Thornfield Hall. Although she falls in love with her wealthy employer, Edward Rochester, her strong sense of conscience does not permit her to become his mistress, and she does not return to him until his insane wife is dead and she herself has come into an inheritance.

Mr. Reed: Jane's maternal uncle, who adopts Jane when her parents die. Before his own death, he makes his wife promise to care for Jane.

Mrs. Sarah Reed: Jane's aunt by marriage, who adopts Jane but neglects and abuses her. Her dislike of Jane continues to her death.

John Reed: Jane's cousin, who bullies Jane constantly, sometimes in his mother's presence. He ruins himself as an adult and is believed to die by suicide.

Eliza Reed: Jane's cousin. Bitter because she is not as attractive as her sister, she devotes herself self-righteously to religion.

Georgiana Reed: Jane's cousin. Though spiteful and insolent, she is also beautiful and indulged. Her sister Eliza foils her marriage to a wealthy Lord. She also becomes a friend of Jane's towards the end of the novel and eventually marries a wealthy man.

Bessie Lee: The plain-spoken nursemaid at Gateshead. She sometimes treats Jane kindly, telling her stories and singing her songs. Later she marries Robert Leaven.

Robert Leaven: The coachman at Gateshead, who brings Jane the news of John Reed's death, which brought on Mrs. Reed's stroke.

Mr. Lloyd: A compassionate apothecary who recommends that Jane be sent to school. Later, he writes a letter to Miss Temple confirming Jane's account of her childhood and thereby clearing Jane of Mrs. Reed's charge of lying.

Mr. Brocklehurst: The clergyman headmaster and treasurer of Lowood School, whose mistreatment of the students is eventually exposed. “a black pillar… the grim face at the top was like a carved mask”. Mr. Brocklehurst appears a very serious and stern character, because everything about him shows little emotion “two inquisitive looking grey eyes which twinkled under a pair of bushy brows, said solemnly in a bass voice.”

Miss Maria Temple: The kind superintendent of Lowood School, who treats Jane and Helen (and others) with respect and compassion. She helps clear Jane of Mr. Brocklehurst's false accusation of deceit.

Miss Scatcherd: A sour and vicious teacher at Lowood.

Helen Burns: A fellow-student and best friend of Jane's at Lowood School. She refuses to hate those who abuse her, trusting in God and turning the other cheek. She dies of consumption in Jane's arms. Some speculate that the book's author based Helen Burns on her elder sister Maria Brontë, who showed signs of dyspraxia.

Edward Fairfax Rochester: The master of Thornfield Manor. A Byronic hero, he is tricked into making an unfortunate first marriage before he meets Jane.

Bertha Antoinetta Mason: The violently insane first wife of Edward Rochester.

Adèle Varens: An excitable French child to whom Jane is governess at Thornfield. She is Mr. Rochester's ward and possibly his daughter. However, Mr. Rochester denies this because her mother had been seeing another man behind his back and because he sees no resemblance to himself in her.

Mrs. Alice Fairfax: An elderly widow and housekeeper of Thornfield Manor. She treats Jane kindly and respectfully, but disapproves of her engagement to Mr. Rochester.

Leah: The young, pretty and kind housemaid at Thornfield, with an occasional excitable nature.

Blanche Ingram: A socialite whom Mr. Rochester appears to court in order to make Jane jealous. She is described as having great beauty, but displays callous behaviour and avaricious intent.

Richard Mason: An Englishman from the West Indies, whose sister is Mr. Rochester's first wife. His appearance at Thornfield heralds the eventual revelation of Bertha Mason.

Grace Poole: Bertha Mason's keeper. Jane is told that it is Grace Poole who causes the mysterious things to happen at Thornfield Hall.

St. John Eyre Rivers: A clergyman who befriends Jane and turns out to be her cousin. He is Jane Eyre's cousin on her father's side. He is a devout Christian of Calvinistic leanings. By nature he is very reserved and single-minded.

Diana and Mary Rivers: St. John's sisters and (as it turns out) Jane's cousins.

Rosamond Oliver: A wealthy young woman who patronizes the village school where Jane teaches, and who is attracted to the Rev. St. John.

Alice Wood: Jane's maid when she is mistress of the girls' charity school in Morton.

John Eyre: Jane's paternal uncle, who leaves her his vast fortune.

Conclusion:

The comparison of film and book characters revealed that Alice Wood and John Eyre never appeared as characters in the film.

2. Landscape description

The role of landscape in literature is very important. There are five functions of artistic landscape:

1. impression the author’s attitude to the nature;
2. objective reflection of reality and decoration for the story, the picture of the character of any place and local coloring;
3. more impressive showing of characters of personages through contrast or match of nature events and feelings and thoughts of human;
4. landscape as a symbol of something;
5. landscape as the main hero of the work of art.

CHAPTER I

THERE was no possibility of taking a walk that day. We had been wandering, indeed, in the leafless shrubbery an hour in the morning; but since dinner (Mrs. Reed, when there was no company, dined early) the cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so sombre, and a rain so penetrating, that further outdoor exercise was now out of the question. (Bronte Charlotte “Jane Eyre”. M. 1995. p. 3)        

Conclusion:

In the film this episode is presented in word for word description. Little Jane is sitting at the window and pondering over their long walks. To my point of view the description of landscape shows the character of personage through match of nature events and feelings and thoughts of a little girl.

3.3 Hate & Bravery

CHAPTER IV

“I am not deceitful: if I were, I should say I loved you; but I declare I do not love you: I dislike you the worst of anybody in the world except John Reed; and this book about the liar, you may give to your girl, Georgiana, for it is she who tells lies, and not I.”

“I am glad you are no relation of mine: I will never call you aunt again as long as I live.  I will never come to see you when I am grown up; and if any one asks me how I liked you, and how you treated me, I will say the very thought of you makes me sick, and that you treated me with miserable cruelty.”

“How dare I, Mrs. Reed?  How dare I?  Because it is the truth.  You think I have no feelings, and that I can do without one bit of love or kindness; but I cannot live so: and you have no pity.  I shall remember how you thrust me back—roughly and violently thrust me back—into the red-room, and locked me up there, to my dying day; though I was in agony; though I cried out, while suffocating with distress, ‘Have mercy!  Have mercy, Aunt Reed!’  And that punishment you made me suffer because your wicked boy struck me—knocked me down for nothing.  I will tell anybody who asks me questions, this exact tale.  People think you a good woman, but you are bad, hard-hearted.  You are deceitful!” . (Bronte Charlotte “Jane Eyre”. M. 1995. p. 16)        

Conclusion:

In the film this episode is presented more emotionally, Jane tells her aunt about her pain and agony being in the red room. She cries that she is not deceitful and expresses all her feelings out.

3.4 Love & passion

CHAPTER XXIII

“Your bride stands between us.”

He rose, and with a stride reached me.

“My bride is here,” he said, again drawing me to him, “because my equal is here, and my likeness.  Jane, will you marry me?” . (Bronte Charlotte “Jane Eyre”. M. 1995. p. 89)        

CHAPTER XVI

That a greater fool than Jane Eyre had never breathed the breath of life; that a more fantastic idiot had never surfeited herself on sweet lies, and swallowed poison as if it were nectar.

“You,” I said, “a favourite with Mr. Rochester?  You gifted with the power of pleasing him?  You of importance to him in any way?  Go! your folly sickens me.  And you have derived pleasure from occasional tokens of preference—equivocal tokens shown by a gentleman of family and a man of the world to a dependent and a novice.  How dared you?  Poor stupid dupe!—Could not even self-interest make you wiser? You repeated to yourself this morning the brief scene of last night?—Cover your face and be ashamed!  He said something in praise of your eyes, did he?  Blind puppy!  Open their bleared lids and look on your own accursed senselessness!  It does good to no woman to be flattered by her superior, who cannot possibly intend to marry her; and it is madness in all women to let a secret love kindle within them, which, if unreturned and unknown, must devour the life that feeds it; and, if discovered and responded to, must lead, ignis-fatus-like, into miry wilds whence there is no extrication.

 (Bronte Charlotte “Jane Eyre”. M. 1995. p. 56)        

Conclusion:

In the film the episodes are presented truly to the novel, but there are no thoughts of Jane. Her hesitations in feelings, whether it it is true love or not? And if a gentleman like Rochester could fall in love with her.

Part 4. Descriptive adjectives

Part 5. Conclusion

The book «Jane Eyre» is beautifully written, with poetic descriptions and excellent dialogue. The writer has created a dramatic, gripping plot with well-developed, very believable characters, letting us see into the soul of a sensitive but strong young woman. The story is very descriptive with a lot adjectives, the lack of love has already been shown as Jane lacks love from others. The film is also exciting and overwhelming. It was produced by Julian Charles Becket Amyes. Rarely has a motion picture presented a tale of romance with such sensitivity, and power as this 1983 Julian Amyes adaptation of the Charlotte Bronte classic Jane Eyre. The cast of the film Credit Zelah Clarke (Jane) and Timothy Dalton (Edward Fairfax Rochester) for the success of the film. I have used the following methods in my work: analyses and syntheses and  the method of comparison.

After the research I can state that there is no sensible difference between the film and the novel. What was written by Charlotte Bronte, that was shown by Julian Amyes. I have compared the whole novel, and did not see crucial difference, except some insignificant facts. Some episodes are presented more emotionally with pain and agony in the film. Some chapters are presented in word for word production. Speaking about aspects of love there are no Jane’s thoughts announced in the film, while there is a deep description of it in the novel. Her hesitations in feelings, whether it it is true love or not and if a gentleman like Rochester could fall in love with her.

Taking everything into account I would say that there is no sensible difference between these two pieces of work. It is up to you what to do: to read or to watch? The only thing I would recommend you is if you are looking for a romantic but mysterious story about a lonely woman who, after strange experience, finds lasting love, you should definitely read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte or watch the film by  Julian Amyes.

 Bibliography:

1. Bronte C. « Jane Eyre». M. 1995. 158стр.
2. Jane Eyer film. Julian Charles Becket Amyes
3. Macmillan English Dictionary. For Advanced Learners. New Edition.UK.1748 p.