According to IMDB, there are no fewer than 22 movie and TV versions of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte since 1910. Musicals, ballets, plays and operas all tell the story, or add to the story before and after the Bronte novel. The original Jane Eyre was published in 1847 in London, then the following year in New York. What is so captivating about this story?
To be perfectly plain, the story is strange and frightening. At times almost ludicrous. A madwoman being kept in an attic of a large manor, while the Master of the house acts as if he knows nothing of her? Not only that, the man is married to this woman. Yet he travels the world and lures another women to him, whom he has a child with, then she leaves him to care for the girl. Jane Eyre, a governess, falls for this man and he has the audacity to take her to the altar to marry her - While she knows nothing of Bertha, Mr. Rochester's real wife. He's a scoundrel. Rochester is coarse, selfish, self-serving and spoiled; A rich boy who gets what he wants when he wants it.
Jane Eyre is a pure woman. She was abused as a child, but was turned from her hate by a loving friend. She looses this one and only companion and grows to be a gentle, intelligent woman. She does not deserve to be treated as she is by Mr. Rochester, led blindly and left with no choice but to run from what she loves. She looses anything good in her life the moment she can barely lay hands on it.
This story is unfair and depressing. So why do we like it?
Are we not all like Mr. Rochester? Don't we all have a demon within our own attics that is waiting to harm us any time we wish to do good in the world? Don't we all have one major flaw that trips us up time and time again? I believe we all wish for the sole companionship that is offered by Jane. Something pure, enduring and unconditional. Someone who will be our constant guide and friend to forgive us of those flaws we struggle so intensely with. There is of course, the classic love-story fall out when Jane runs from Mr. Rochester, but after a divine sign she returns to him. After the death of Bertha, the inner demon in us all, Edward Rochester finds a new life. The inner demon purged and a new, wonderful love-filled life is begun.
Edward is the man we all feel we are inside, and Jane is the woman we all wish to be saved by. We are drawn to their story because it is a manifestation of unconditional love. We all wish for a savior.
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