This March and April Sweetwater County residents will have multiple opportunities to read, watch, and experience Charlotte Bronte’s classic novel, “Jane Eyre.” The Sweetwater County Library System and the Sweetwater County Library Foundation are partnering with Western Wyoming Community College and the Hay Library to make this possible.
You may have noticed a number of pass-along copies of the book on display at any of our three main libraries. Please pick one up, read it, and pass it along to someone else. The books themselves are very nice editions, so take a look at a book – even if you aren’t going to take it home to read.
I was introduced to “Jane Eyre” in college. My time at the University of Minnesota was spent either with my nose buried in a book or my fingers glued to the keys of my computer, typing a paper. I majored in English and had a wonderful four years reading all the classics as well as some not so classic titles. It’s been more than 10 years since I read “Jane Eyre,” so I decided to pick up a pass-along copy to reread before I lead the “Jane Eyre” book discussion at the Sweetwater County Library on March 28.
I did a little research on “Jane Eyre” in preparation for this column and stumbled upon some interesting factoids. “Jane Eyre” was published in 1847. I’ll bet you didn’t know how exciting 1847 was. During this year, the Mexican-American war was raging, the United States issued its first postage stamps, Brigham Young founded Salt Lake City, James Young Simpson discovered chloroform and used it successfully as a medicinal anesthetic, 20 of the 50 states in the Union were not yet established, and Thomas Edison, Jesse James, and Bram Stoker were born.
I already knew that Charlotte Bronte, author of “Jane Eyre,” was the oldest of the three Bronte sisters, and grew up in England. Charlotte and her two sisters all became published authors, and each published her works under a pen name. I was unaware that the Brontes had to use pen names. The publishing world was still male-dominated in 1847, and to ensure publication and communal acknowledgement of their works, female authors commonly used pseudonyms during this time period.
Though using a pseudonym was commonplace for women in the 19th century, its practice has continued into the 21st. Sometimes women nowadays use pen names when they write in male-dominated genres. For instance, famed romance author Nora Roberts uses the name J. D. Robb when writing mysteries, and Joanne Rowling used J. K. Rowling when writing “Harry Potter” to broaden readership to both a male and female audience. Rowling also uses the pen name Robert Galbraith for her newer detective novel series.
Conversely, Dean Koontz used two different female pseudonyms to write some gothic-romances and thrillers. Authors also occasionally use pen names when switching genres. Jayne Ann Krentz uses her own name when writing contemporary romantic-suspenses, Amanda Quick when writing historical romances, and Jayne Castle for her paranormal romantic-suspenses.
As you can see, I found the topic of pen names quite interesting. Let’s get back to “Jane Eyre” though.
Charlotte Bronte (or Currer Bell) explores a number of thought-provoking issues in Jane Eyre. From religion, morality, and family to gender politics and feminism, Charlotte Bronte’s novel definitely gives its readers some topics to ponder.
If you’re intrigued by the social hierarchy in “Downton Abbey,” you might find that “Jane Eyre” also appeals to you. If your tastes run more toward Jane Austen, “Jane Eyre” just might satisfy your craving for a good story about a budding romance. Or, if you’re already a fan of Ms. Bronte’s work and you’re ready for more stories featuring strong female characters from centuries past who push the envelope, try Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening” (a favorite of mine).
I urge you to pick up a copy of “Jane Eyre” from one of the Sweetwater County libraries during March. Give Charlotte Bronte a try and then come to the screening of the movie on March 28.
I’ll be there afterward to talk with you all about the book and find out what kind of a mark “Jane Eyre” left upon you.
Reader Comments(0)