ENGL 628 Jane Eyre Neo-Victorian Appropriations Dashboard

Description

Jane Eyre: An Autobiography (1847) is a seminal text in the Western feminist literature canon, published fifty-five years after Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman and a year before the Seneca Falls convention launched the feminist movement in Western culture. Scores of authors, directors, and digital producers have attempted not just to adapt but to appropriate, revise, and modernize Charlotte Bronte’s most famous novel. Antonija Primorac contends that the current vogue of neo-Victorianism is “a powerful trend in contemporary Anglophone media” pointing to the “continuous production of adaptations and appropriations of Victorian literature and culture.” In order to be considered neo-Victorian, Ann Heilmann and Mark Llewellyn posit that “texts (literary, filmic, audio / visual) must in some respect be self-consciously engaged with the act of (re)interpretation, (re)discovery and (re)vision concerning the Victorians” (emphasis in original). In this class, we will explore the creative and rhetorical choices twentieth- and twenty-first-century authors have made when appropriating, revising, and modernizing Jane Eyre’s narrative, paying particular attention to gender ideology in the Victorian era and in more recent times. In this course, we will also leverage the new media capabilities of the COVE (Central Online Victorian Educator) web site in order to examine more deeply the impact of multimodal writing and digital technology on literary studies in the twenty-first century.

Galleries, Timelines, and Maps

Blog entry
Posted by Lindsay Hickman on Sunday, October 20, 2019 - 11:02

While Bibi takes the place of Bertha as the Mad Woman in the Attic in Lindner's version of Jane, it seems even more cruel than the treatment of Bertha. Schizophrenia is not a disease that one should be locked in an attic, west wing, or room for. It is a stigmatized, often misrepresented chronic disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health Schizophrenia is a "chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality. Although schizophrenia is not as common as other mental disorders, the symptoms can be very disabling." Schizophrenia can have a number of symtoms that would be very difficult to be controlled without the constant support of a nurse, or a medical doctor that specializes in the field. Some of the symtoms include hallucinations, including multiple personality disorder, delusions,  and thought disorder (symtoms could be difficulty speaking in the...

more
Blog entry
Posted by KENNETH LAREMORE on Thursday, October 17, 2019 - 20:31

In Jane, our modernized Jane Eyre comes from affluent surroundings and did not have to suffer the injustices and hardships presented to our Victorian Jane at Lowood School. In fact, she attended Sarah Lawrence College and would have remained there matriculating if n ot for the unfortunate death of her parents in a car accident. Sarah Lawrence is a prestigious, residential, coeducational liberal arts college. Founded in 1926 and consistently ranked among the leading liberal arts colleges in the country, Sarah Lawrence is known for its pioneering approach to education and a rich history of impassioned intellectuality. The college occupies 44 wooded acres in Yonkers, NY, near the Village of Bronxville—just north of New York City. A 30-minute train ride from the Bronxville station takes students into Midtown Manhattan. The student body is 71% female and yearly tuition costs exceed $56,000 USD. Not your run-of-the-mill community college. Lindner's Jane is thoroughly modernized...

more
Blog entry
Posted by KENNETH LAREMORE on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 - 14:51

In Episode 54 “Happy Holidays” a cheerful Rochester promises Jane and Adele that he is going to take them on a vacation to Banff, an excellent choice for a fun-filled vacation.  Banff is a resort town in Alberta province and one of Canada's most popular tourist destinations. It is known for its mountainous surroundings and hot springs. it is a destination for outdoor sports and features extensive hiking, biking, scrambling, and skiing destinations within the area. Ski Norquay, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and  Sunshine Village are the three nearby ski resorts located within the national park. The area was named Banff in 1884 by George Stephen, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway, recalling his birthplace in Banff, Scotland. In 1985, the United Nations declared Banff National park a World Heritage Site. It remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banff,_Alberta...

Blog entry
Posted by KENNETH LAREMORE on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 - 19:08

In Episode 55 “The Lie” of the Vlog, Adele tells us that bridal white representing purity was not the original intention of that color, but rather blue. Research indicates she is indeed correct. As she stated, it was the color, blue, that was connected to purity, as well as piety, faithfulness, and the Virgin Mary. However, there is an important Victorian connection to the white wedding gown. White became a popular option in 1840, after the marriage of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert, when Victoria wore a white gown trimmed with lace. Afterwards, many brides opted for white in accordance with the Queen’s choice.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_dress

Blog entry
Posted by KENNETH LAREMORE on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 - 18:42

In Episode 54 “Happy Holidays” of the Vlog, Adele quips to Rochester that the first song recorded in space was “Jewel in the Night” , sung by Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield. Her mention of the song was rather appropriate for the Christmas holiday as it was recorded on December 23, 2012 and uploaded onto YouTube on December 24th. It was the first song ever to be recorded in outer space. Chris’ brother Dave wrote the song, which is rife with Christmas-like themes and speaks to the beauty of planet Earth.

https://www.space.com/19050-first-original-song-space-lyrics.html

Blog entry
Posted by KENNETH LAREMORE on Sunday, October 13, 2019 - 19:23

In episode 54 of the Vlog, Adele challenges Rochester’s knowledge and asks him if he knows the story in Icelandic folklore of the 13 centaurs and two trolls who went around at Christmastime and devoured bad or misbehaving children. I was amazed to find this this folk tale does exist although Adele got some of the facts confused.

This folktale was first mentioned in the 13th century in a compilation of Norse mythology called the Prose Edda. No specific connection to Christmas was mentioned until the 17th century. The tale is about two trolls, Gryla, a giantess with an appetite for mischievous children and her lazy stay-at-home husband Leppaludi. Current-day Gryla can detect children who are misbehaving year-round. During Christmas time, she comes from the mountains to search nearby towns for her meal. She leaves her cave, hunts children, and carries them home in her giant sack. She devours children as her favorite snack. Her favorite dish is a...

more
Blog entry
Posted by KENNETH LAREMORE on Sunday, October 13, 2019 - 17:48

In Episode 54 of the Vlog, Jane gives Rochester a glass of eggnog and he takes a sip. He immediately complains that it has no rum and thus isn’t consistent with his version of eggnog. He does have a point. Eggnog is a rich, chilled, sweetened, dairy-based beverage. It is traditionally made with milk, cream, sugar, whipped egg whites, and egg yolks (which gives it a frothy texture, and its name). In some contexts, distilled spirits such as brandy, rum, whiskey, or bourbon are added to the drink. While brandy is the most traditional add-in for eggnog, according to most recipes, experts recommend a mixture of dark rum and cognac. If you like your eggnog a little stronger, you can also add bourbon, though experts recommend sticking to rum and cognac to preserve the 'nog's flavors.

Throughout Canada and the United States, eggnog is traditionally consumed over the Christmas season from late November until...

more
Blog entry
Posted by KENNETH LAREMORE on Sunday, October 13, 2019 - 17:22

In the Vlog, The Autobiography of Jane Eyre, Rochester attributes Bertha's mental illness to post-partum depression when he is speaking to Jane after she finds out about the existence of Bertha. This is a believable diagnosis and represents an accurate modernization of the story in this area. Postpartum depression is very different than what's called "baby blues". The signs and symptoms are more intense and last longer, and may eventually interfere with the woman's ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks. Symptoms usually develop within the first few weeks after giving birth, but may begin earlier, even during pregnancy or later, sometimes up to a year after birth. Postpartum depression signs and symptoms identified by the Mayo Clinic andsome of which are  representative of Bertha's behavior may include:

  • Depressed mood or severe mood swings
  • Excessive crying
  • Difficulty bonding with your baby
  • Withdrawing from family...
more
Blog entry
Posted by KENNETH LAREMORE on Friday, October 11, 2019 - 17:17

On Page 61 of Jane Eyre, Bronte describes young women dressed in "grey fur beaver hats adorned with ostrich plumes". This fashion statement provides historical context for the reader. According to Wikipedia, from 1550-1850 beaver hats were a popular fashion trend in Europe. The addtion of ostric plumes to ladies hats was a trend that grew dramatically throughout much of Euroope during the ineteenth century, supporting the historical context of Jane Eyre. Additionally, on page 86, Jane mentions portrait prints of King George III and Prince Albert being hung in George's Inn in Millcote, an inn...

more
Blog entry
Posted by KENNETH LAREMORE on Friday, October 11, 2019 - 17:13

Skin color plays a critical role in the prejudices amongst different peoples in the Caribbean. Jamica was originally populated by the indigenous Arawak and...

more

Pages

Individual Entries

Chronology Entry
Posted by Alyssa Isaac on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 - 09:17
Chronology Entry
Posted by Rob Sperduto on Monday, November 11, 2019 - 23:49
Blog entry
Posted by KENNETH LAREMORE on Friday, November 8, 2019 - 15:26

Ever since PSY's international mega-hit "Gangnam Style" in 2012, people all over the world have heard the name of Seoul's most affluent district, Gangnam. The area is called "the Beverly Hills of South Korea" .While the district is an economic hub for some of the most powerful companies globally, including Google, IBM, and Toyota, its real heart is its residential areas, where the deposit to rent a home costs 10 years of salary for the average Korean. ...

more
Blog entry
Posted by KENNETH LAREMORE on Thursday, November 7, 2019 - 18:40

Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish consisting of pickled vegetables, which is mainly served as a side dish with every meal, but also can be served as a main dish .In the past, people used to dig a hole in the ground to bury the crock to preserve the kimchi. Though there was no refrigerator, it remained tasty for the next year. Kimchi refrigerators, which are manufactured only in Korea, aim at mimicking the conditions of a clay container buried in the ground. The core difference between a kimchi refrigerator and other refrigerators is that the former directly cools the storage room. Kimchi refrigerators' adoption of direct cooling mimics the cold earth around the pottery that also cools it directly. It maintains a constant temperature and humidity. 

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr › www › news › tech › 2013/01

 

Blog entry
Posted by KENNETH LAREMORE on Thursday, November 7, 2019 - 18:14

Single mothers in Korean society suffer cultural stigmatism that is matter-of-factly inflicted upon orphans in Korean society as well. Approximately 200,000 Korean children have been adopted out of Korea since the 1950’s, with the majority having been abandoned. Korean society exacts a multitude of social and cultural pressures on single mothers and their children within a number of  unwritten norms and prejudices that are causing Korean women to abandon their children. If Jane Re was born in Korea from the same mother and father, she would not be considered a Korean citizen. In Korea, children of Korean citizen women, who had either a non-Korean father or no known Korean father were not Korean citizens, even if born in Korea. However, children whose “right of blood” could not be determined (orphaned, abandoned, or stateless), but are found within Korean sovereign territory are considered Korean citizens under South Korea’s citizenship laws. Mothers often...

more
Chronology Entry
Posted by Alyssa Isaac on Thursday, November 7, 2019 - 09:30
Place
Posted by madison rahner on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 - 08:58

Jamaica and, more broadly, the West Indies are repeatedly referenced in Jane Eyre. This region of the British Empire occurs repeatedly in the context of Rochester's mysterious past and fortune. For example, in Chapter 18, Mason arrives and the narrator remarks, "Presently the words Jamaica, Kingston, Spanish Town, indicated the West Indies as his residence; and it was with no little surprise I gathered, ere long, that he had there first seen and become acquainted with Mr. Rochester.  He spoke of his friend’s dislike of the burning heats, the hurricanes, and rainy seasons of that region" (Bronte).

To a contemporary Victorian audience, the West Indies would carry connotations of colonialism and slavery. These concepts are never addressed in Jane Eyre, despite the fact that slavery and colonialism can be deduced to be the ill-begot source of Rochester's fortune, or rather, his dowry. The very fact that he was able to travel so far at that time is indicative of...

more
Place
Posted by Parag Desai on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 - 05:56

Flushing, Queens, New York is often recognized as the 'Chinese Manhattan' due to the dominant population of Chinese and Chinese-Americans that live in this area. Downtown Flushing is known for its restaurants, bakeries and Asian specialty stores and its easy transportation into Manhattan. Flushing finds itself as the epicenter of the Queens commercial and residential district, where access to JFK and LaGuardia airport act as major runways to/from neighboring boroughs. A New York Times article states, a "2010 census put the population of Flushing, encompassing an area beyond downtown, at 72,000 — 69.2 percent Asian, 14.9 percent Hispanic, 9.5 percent white and 4.2 percent African-American."

For Jane Re to be Korean-American would provide naunce to a Chinese-dominanted area. This hints towards the hegemony China had of East Asia, where Korea once functioned as a tributory state and even though many of the cultures and practices of Korea originated from China...

more
Place
Posted by madison rahner on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 - 15:42

Kolkata is approximately where St. John went to perform his missionary work in India. This is evidenced in Chapter 34 when St. John states, "'And I shall see it again…in dreams when I sleep by the Ganges'" and in Chapter 35 when Diana states, "'Plain! You? Not at all. You are much too pretty, as well as too good, to be grilled alive in Calcutta."' The Ganges River is vast and extends through much of northern India, but it does intersect with Kolkata specifically, so these two instances of dialogue both support this approximation.

Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Service and Patton. 1897. Project Gutenberg, http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1260/1260-h/1260-h.htm.

Place
Posted by madison rahner on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 - 15:22

Martinique is the island that Bertha's mother and Christophine are both from. It's referenced as the "Paris of the West Indies" owing to the fact that it's a part of the French West Indies and not a former British colony (Rhys 72). This geocode goes specifically to the town of St Pierre which is where Bertha got the dress that sparks the comparison to Martinique and Paris between her and Rochester. 

By including a reference to a French colony, it seems as if Rhys is drawing on the distinctions between the French and the British and the English prejudices against the French that manifest in the hypotext, Jane Eyre. This is far less subtle in Jane Eyre, especially to a contemporary audience, with references to Adela’s mother Celine as a French opera-dancer. In both texts, being associated with the French is conflated with being Other. Celine is continually dismissed and disparaged throughout Jane Eyre and both Bertha’s mother and Christophine are...

more

Pages