without weapons
Posted by AnneM on October 03, 1997 at 08:54:45:
In response to one well-placed arrow to the heart? i think not., written by greg on October 02, 1997 at 21:58:30
] in ch. 18, jane muses at blanche ingram's futile attempts to intrigue rochester, thinking "arrows that continually glanced off from mr. rochester's breast and fell harmless at his feet, might, i knew, if shot by a surer hand, have quivered keen in his proud heart"(another great metaphor!). but then, she continues, "better still, without weapons[my emphasis] a silent conquest might have been won". she feels that "by merely sitting quietly at his side saying little and looking less, get nigher his heart". but i think it's the archer, not her aim, that wins the quarry. rochester falls for jane without her even trying anything. likewise, jane says of rochester "he made me love him without looking at me". not only can they see each other's "inner" beauty, but there's a natural chemistry between them as volatile as sparks to high octane! it's bronte's genius for narrative that allows us to feel the heat and smell the smoke of their passion! blanche, on the other hand, is very pretty water, as it were - but simply not flammable.
Yes. We agree Greg! (Blanche is Eau de Toilet)
I love this part in the book! At this point she is still trying to talk herself out of her feelings. Jane, as per her childhood, continually underestimates herself. In the past weeks she did more than sit there. she acceptes ER, for who he is. She perceives his goodness. Blanche just sees pound signs.
She thinks that Rochester is looking for a wife and will marry w/o love. I wonder how many modern people could sit in a shaded nook and watch someone flirt with the one they love? and make commentary about about it w/o calling names? :-)
not me!
This whole scene really comes alive, I feel like I'm there. Im not strong in English grammer, but does the tense change to present? I seems like the book as narrated is past, a reflection, but this scene, and others, suddenly leap off the page! What a great Author?
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