By Ariel Guertin –
“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 somber, and a rain so penetrating, that further out-door exercise was now out of the question.”
So begins Charlotte Bronte’s literary masterpiece, Jane Eyre, a first-person narration of a determined young woman’s journey from rags to riches.
On Monday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m., in Bazarsky Lecture Hall, the English Department and McKillop Library will sponsor a screening of the newest film adaption of Jane Eyre. Featuring up-and coming-stars Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland) and Michael Fassbender (X-Men First Class, Inglorious Basterds), Cary Fukunaga’s Jane Eyre is a gripping and gothic interpretation of Bronte’s classic story. The film is free and all are encouraged to attend. Cary Fukunaga’s film joins an extensive list of Jane Eyre adaptions. Approximately 15 films, nine musicals, two radio shows and 10 television programs have been adapted directly from the novel, and several others have been inspired by the story. These include versions from as far away as Mexico, Hong Kong, and India.
What makes Jane Eyre such a popular adaptation? Dr. D. Matthew Ramsey, English Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Film, first cited the practical reasons. Classic novels such as Jane Eyre are in the public domain, so producers can adapt the story without paying for the rights. The source text has name recognition, so they can also expect a built-in audience.
Dr. Ramsey added, “Many classic novels lend themselves to different interpretations and readings.” He explained that directors are free to approach the text with personal creativity and, because no Jane Eyre film has achieved notoriety as the classic or canon version, they might be willing to take on the challenge of creating such a successful version. When a popular version is released, it is rare for another adaptation to follow soon after. The 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley is a recent example. The plot and themes of Jane Eyre also contribute to its enduring and universal intrigue. Jane Eyre is not only about love, but about the two most important traits if love is to last: independence and the development of a strong identity.
“Bronte knew how to tell a story and how to engage the reader,” said Dr. Littlefield, Professor of English. Jane Eyre is a heroine in the deepest sense of the word. She must choose between what is easy, but risk losing herself, and what is difficult, but will allow her personal essence to thrive. She
chooses the latter.
Life is not easy for Jane and she finds herself tempted at every turn. “She has two really intense experiences with two diametrically opposed men, but she recognizes that both would have deprived her of her essence,” explained Dr. Littlefield. It is this temptation that might provide an answer as to why Jane Eyre is a popular tale. She is a human heroine. During her many, oftentimes cathartic, struggles, Jane Eyre never breaks and perseveres.
But is Jane Eyre actually suited to a modern, mainstream audience? “Jane Eyre has everything that engages audiences: love, romance, mystery, and disappointment,” said Dr. Littlefield. She added that, because the novel was considered exceedingly bold for its day, directors can pick up on the intense sensuality between Jane and Rochester to create a version for modern audiences.
Although directors do not usually choose to do a complete disserve to a classic, Dr. Ramsey explained, “They are more concerned with mainstream audiences and are always aiming for major success.” Directors may choose to be more or less faithful to a novel’s roots, but if it will not appeal to a modern audience it would be financially impractical to develop.
Of course, not every version of Jane Eyre has successfully appealed to its target audiences. An adaption of a novel to film is very different from an original screenplay, which is created to be successful visually. Many literary devices, which use words to stimulate the imagination, simply do not translate well to visuals.
For example, Jane is supposed to be considered “plain.” Her words, thoughts and intelligence begin to convey her inner beauty and appeal only as the novel progresses and we get to know her. Mr. Rochester, meanwhile, is supposed to be not only old but downright ugly. Renowned film critic Roger Ebert admits that he cannot recall a single Jane Eye film that presents audiences with an unattractive Rochester. American audiences, at the very least, are not used to “ugly” stars in their films.
Dr. Littlefield’s favorite adaptation was a BBC series that offered a “plain” Jane that gradually allowed her words to make her beautiful in accordance with Bronte’s vision. Jane Eyre is told in first-person narration. The title character recalls past events of her life after their occurrence. This is rarely conveyed properly in film, which generally has a very objective camera, so that the audience sees everything as it happens. In this sense, seeing is believing, and it can often be forgotten in film that Jane’s memories are likely to be skewed by time and emotion.
Dr. Ramsey believes that Cary Fukunaga’s Jane Eyre is the most authentic of all adaptations, because he uses a subjective camera with sound and visual design to convey the story through Jane. He explained the visuals as “beautiful, brooding, and indicative of what Jane is feeling.”
In technical terms, Fukunaga used German Expressionism, in which external visuals reflect a character’s psychological state, to remain true to Bronte’s intent. For instance, when Jane falls ill, the film sound is muffled so we hear things from her perspective.
“Jane Eyre is a romance, a quest, a forging of identity,” said Dr. Littefield. It is a universal love story for the ages.
What better way to spend the day before Valentine’s Day? So come join us at the screening of Jane Eyre on Feb. 13 to decide for yourself if Fukunaga truly captures this stunning story.
