Introduction to the interview: Since literally thousands of people have criticized this magnificent work of literature (which almost a hundred pages after the story offer in my 1987 Norton Critical Edition) and I do not wish to repeat their praise--or even encourage some students to use my words instead of reading and reviewing the book in their own words, I believe what would be more entertaining and informative, to my readers as well as myself, is a make-believe discussion with heroine Jane Eyre who has time-traveled into the 21st century. To make it even more helpful in distinguishing her character, the spirit of Isadora Wing from Erica Jong's 70's feminist exploration, Fear of Flying (you might read my recent review of it to better understand her story), will be "flying" to join us.

The two women suddenly materialize in the comfortable leather chairs encircling my computer desk at home. They both gasp and try to catch their breath, but in moments Isadora with her straight, blond hair down to her plump behind pops up onto her go-go boots as if electrocuted. Tiny, plain-faced Jane, elegantly-dressed and her braided hair in a bun, fans herself quickly with her little hands.

ISADORA (I.W.): What the fu-k is going on? What are you smirking about and is she Amish or something?

JAN (ME) Settle down, Iz. You're just visiting, then you'll go back to your book. Have you read the classic Jane Eyre?

I.W.: Of course. Hasn't every woman since it was published in the late 1800s? But then you're a strangely-dressed one as if you're going to actually exercise, so you probably haven't. Anyway, English Jane was too Christianized, but she was real, ya know? She spoke her mind and did exactly what she wanted to with her life. I admire the hell out of her.

JANE (J.E.): Too Christianized? I'm certain I don't know what you mean!

I.W.: Well, haven't you read the book and noticed all the Biblical references? They're footnoted if you didn't recognize them. (Jane catches her breath, looking indignant.) Anyway, I'll tell you about her if you don't mind, stranger of the smirks.

ME: No, please do. This is fascinating.

J.E.: I must agree.

I.W. (takes her seat and crosses her legs, showing skin that Jane frowns on.) Well, Jane loses her folks as a baby and goes to live with her uncle, but he dies and his wife promises to take care of the ugly duckling?

J.E.: Ugly duckling?

ME: Castaway, unwanted child.

I.W.: So finally she's sent to a very strict religious school for the poor, as if that'll make her a more humble, brainless person. They starve her, keep her frozen in the winters and bore her to tears with religious nonsense. Why this doesn't turn her off from being a Christian or a missionary later on in the book, I'll never know.

J.E.: Maybe she was able to realize that God is not always served well by the imperfect creatures we are and she could forgive them.

I.W.: Do you want to tell the story, miss?

J.E.: Oh no!

I.W.: Then kindly shut your trap and listen. You can listen without adding your two cents every minute, can't you?

J.E.: You asked a question, I thought. I know you were puzzled and I wanted to clear up your confusion.

I.W.: Well, you act as if you have all the answers. Tell me something. Why did this woman become a governess and leave-without a word-a man, her employer no less, who loved her and she loved just because he couldn't get a divorce from his crazy, murderous wife? Where was her Christian compassion then? And how Christian was it for her to beg for days for food and shelter? Oh, and explain why she could even respect a zealous preacher and cousin who wanted to take her to India as his wife-slave that he had no love for?

J.E.: She regretted it later how she hurt her kind and loving Edward, but...I suppose you've been eighteen years old? Didn't you act rashly or did you skip the growing up part and come from your Maker with an already-formed adult mind?

ME: Yes, I'd like to know that, too. And what do you know about being a Christian as well, that you can judge what is or isn't Christian-like?

I.W.: Well, I'm Jewish and a few years past eighteen, but religion just confuses me and I can do stupid things, so I won't criticize her. But I still think kids grew up much faster than today. I think she just wanted to be a Christian so she could feel worthy of love, but she flopped at it until she plugged in that she wasn't cut out for it or even wanted it and, hallelujah!, she found her true love again...and he, now blind and deformed, still loved her for she taught him a lesson and was his sweet, little angel. Makes me want to throw up!

J.E.:(blanching) I thought you liked her.

I.W.: I do actually. If I didn't, I wouldn't care to discuss her (youthful) faults.

J.E.: ( still rather shaken, she ignores Iz and looks amused at me): I'm the same way, especially with men I love. Don't give false flattery and you won't receive it and feel uncomfortable. Edward wasn't handsome and my cousin the preacher lacked social skills; they both knew it from my lips and could trust me.

ME: I'll go along with that. Jane and Edward definitely had a honesty about their relationship, except for his one secret that was his wife, but then they had no secrets when she returned to him. Charlotte Bronte, the writer, has a beautiful passage that really sums up what they had.

I know no weariness of my Edward's society; he knows none of mine, any more than we do of the pulsation of the heart that beats in our separate bosoms; consequently, we are ever together. To be together (and this does not mean sexually) is for us to be at once as free in solitude, as gay as in company. We talk, I believe, all day long: to talk to each other is but a more animated and an audible thinking. All my confidence is bestowed on him, all his confidence is devoted to me; we are perfectly suited in character; perfect concord is the result. Pp 397 in the Conclusion

J.E.: How charmingly put!

I.W.: Sounds idealistic and unnatural to me. What man talks all day to a woman these days? I'm lucky to get a sentence out of my men sometimes for days! Besides couples work all day and aren't the lazy rich like her Edward and her, in the end at least.

ME: I have to agree with you, but it is still very romantic. That's what I loved about the book, how romantic it was in the lush description of England and the houses she lived in, the insightful characterization and the passion and idealism of youth as Jane told her story.

J.E.: I always love a happy ending.

I.W.: Readers never know how my story ends and I prefer it that way. A happy ending would've made it a common romance, but it was more about me. Jane Eyre, not to be mean or anything, ended like your typical nineteenth-century Christian novel, with even the miracle of Edward regaining some sight.

J.E.: I must say, you're hard to please. I don't know how else it could've ended! Might you have wished he had laughed at her love and sent her away to live unhappily, too?

I.W.:(shrugging): If it was written today? Hmm. Maybe a juicy sex scene, hehe.

J.E.: You are extremely bad-mannered and I refuse to pursue this tawdry discussion of my story.

I.W.: Your story? You're Charlotte Bronte?

J.E.: No, she only wrote it down. May I please leave this place?

ME: Your wish is my command, Jane. Thanks so much for being part of our discussion. I thought it was a delightful and captivating story and you a liberating, exciting heroine.

J.E.: Thank you. (She disappears with Isadora staring.)

I.W.: That couldn't have been Jane Eyre! She's just a fictional character.

ME: So are you, Iz. It's been fun. Happy travels. (Iz disappears. I sigh and turn back to my computer to write down the strange experience, but to be honest, readers, wasn't it just a fanciful dream so inspired by my bemused reflection of the book and of how I could impart to you part of its magic? If now, as you rush to read Jane's bold tale, you should carry with you the spirit of Isadora Wing with Jane's, please remember that Iz doesn't completely reflect me. I hope this was as fun for you as it was for me!)



Recommended: Yes