For the Sake of the Call

For the Sake of the Call

Jan. 11, 2008 - Jane Eyre

Despite being in gifted English classes throughout High School, my public school education was sorely lacking in classic literature. We read sections of many works, studied some Shakespeare, the Odyssey, Beowulf, and Caterbury Tales, but we also wasted our time with a lot of silly short stories. In college, I read a few classics (Don Quioxte, The Great Gatsby,..) in my Humanities classes, but the only literature class that I took was World Lit Survey which focused on books from Africa, Asia, and mostly Eastern countries. Thus, while I can delineate the merits of Cry the Beloved Country and Things Fall Apart, I am sorely illiterate in my knowledge of many of the classics of Western Literature.

Determined to remedy this situation, I began by reading Pride and Prejudice for the first time a couple of years ago. Upon completion, I was filled with such a great sense of accomplishment that I determined to become acquainted with more of the classics. Since then, I've relished Northanger Abbey, Emma, and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

These past two nights, I stayed up way too late finishing my first Bronte book: Jane Eyre. I confess to not knowing at all what this book was about before I started reading it, and I was completely surprised by its contents. I wrongfully assumed it would be just like the Jane Austin books that I've read. Although there are some similarities (period, setting, cultural atmosphere), Charlotte Bronte's classic was so much richer, deeper, more suspenseful, and spiritual than Austin's. (And personally, I like Jane so much better than Emma). In the end, it was positively redemptive! I enjoyed it thoroughly.

One quote which I must share with you, illustrates the moral undertones of this book. These words, spoken by Jane Eyre, are full of Truth which is very much relevant in today's society, and bears heeding.

"I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad---as I am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is not temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual conscience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth--- so I have always believed, and if I cannot believe it now, it is because I am insane--- quite insane with my veins running fire, and my heart beating faster than I can count its throbs. Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by: there I plant my foot." (Dover Thrift Edition, Chapter XXVII, pages 296-297)

If you are as unread in the classics as I was; I encourage you to read one. You won't be dissapointed. If you're well educated in the classics; please share your favorites with me. I'm anxious to read another one.

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Jan. 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Honeybee

OOOOOooooo! That is one of my favorite books! I just got the dvd yesterday from CBD for 99 cents!! George C. Scott version. Not sure if I've seen it, but I'll let you know how it is. Hopefully it'll be better than Dr. Zhivago! LOL

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Jan. 11, 2008 - Oh, my favorite book, finally!

Posted by seasonsmom

Angel!
I am so glad you wrote on Jane Eyre. You encouraged me to read Emma a few months ago and I loved it! I have read JE in my 2nd year in College. It was hard reading because at that time I didn't know as many words in Eng as I know now. I didn't have an electronic dictionary or the www or a language software. I had to painstakingly put down every unknown word in a notebook and leaf thru the dictionary and write down the most imp definitions, if not all of them. But, for JE I didn't mind doing all that work. I watched the BBC prduction in Russian (in 2 VHS still available at our library (wow) and on line) with TImothy Dalton and Zelah Clark for the firsh time when I was 10. That was before reading the classic. I loved it immensely. Last year we watched it with the whole family and even got the US version of it. Last one not recommended. For a split of a sec there is a scene in the background of a man and a woman... Oh, how horrible. Such a great classic ruined by that. My children didn't catch it, that's how short it was but it was enough for me to hate the guts of the producer. But, truly, the BBC version is so much better. The actors even speak and breathe Charlotte's language. All the children enjoyed it. We had good discussions about the moral of the story. But I would really love to see Emma dramatized as well one day. My favorite chapter is 23 though. Oh, and please, don't go on my blog just yet. It hasn't been updated since NOv. I am very embarassed. I have a skiing trip and a trip to VA, passed right thru Ashburn, I have tons of pics to edit before they make it on my blog. But, after taking time to read my favorite bloggers, (you being on top of the list) schooling and checking school and doing the rest, you know, I am just too tired to write. I enjoy reading other bloggers blogs so much more though.Thank you for taking your time. YOu are awefully cute with that frown. I love you for being so transparent about yourself. Now, that we really know you... Just kidding, Could you please write about when and how to blog more successfully for dummies? Please? Natalie

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Jan. 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by SeekingJESUSnTeachingKIDS

Yes, he is very fidgety. And she sounds exactly like my Collin. He likes details of things,but then writing things out or doing detailed school work is a waste of his time, in his head that is. For him if it has no purpose or shall I say if he doesn't see a purpose it seems senseless to him. I, like you feel guilty when I don't want to look it up. I also have gotten frustrated at times with all the questions. But as we can see it's a sign of intelligence, and that what I keep telling myself.
:>Michelle

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Jan. 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by CountryMomof4

It's funny, but I too (advanced English) was not very well read in the classics. We did a lot with modern "classics" especially ones that made civil rights statements. When I started HS my kids, we discovered Sonlight, and my love for the classics began! I started with Jane Austen books (on my own, not with the kids) then hit "Jane Erye", "Freckles" (READ IT IF YOU HAVE NOT.. YOU'LL LOVE IT), and "Daddy Long Legs" in a matter of weeks. Through Sonlight I discovered one of my all time favorites, Understood Betsy.. oh I love that book I must read it every 6 months! Then I went on to discover Lamp Lighter publishing. They find Christian classics from the 16th, 17th, and 18th century and republish them. Everyone of them is a treasure. "Amy and her Brothers" makes me bawl no matter how many times I read it.Oh my, I think you've touched on a dearly loved subject of mine. I could talk books FOREVER! ~Karlie

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Jan. 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Dedee

Jane is one of my favorites for that quote alone. I love it! I'll have to think on the rest of the books that I read.

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Jan. 11, 2008 - Oooo....

Posted by MamaMahnken

you just know you're going to get a million book suggestions don't you? Is there a homeschooler who doesn't like to read??? I too am reading or re-reading the classics, and oddly enough, am on Jane Eyre too! (I've also been reading Moby Dick for the past oh, 2 years, lol). Since you asked, I would heartily reccommend A Tale of Two Citites and David Copperfield. Sometimes Dickens is a little confusing for the first few chapters but don't give up! And Actually, even though David Copperfield is longer, I found it easier to get into than TOTC, which switches back and forth between the 2 cities and has a whole lot more characters to keep track of. I've also recently read and can recommend The Scarlet Letter, Animal Farm, and Gulliver's Travels. Let us know what you move onto, and Happy Reading! Veronica
ps. and have ou read Little Women? There is a trilogy, read all three!

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Jan. 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Gayle

I was never exposed to the classics before either until I took it upon myself.
My first read was Northanger Abbey and it, to this day, remains my favorite. I think it's because it was touted as her "worst" work. I always go for the underdog.
I ADORE Jane Eyre! It just doesn't get much better than that! You know, PBS made a movie of it last year, and it was a jillion times better than the BBC version, if you've ever seen that one.
Gayle
thewestiecrew.blogspot.com

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Jan. 13, 2008 - Hi friend!

Posted by AHappyHome

I greatly enjoyed your Christmas letter and card, so thank you much.

My favorite "classic" is Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities. I think I've read that book at least four times. And I so remember LOVING the book Jane Eyre.

Currently I am in the thros (is that spelled right?) of reading book 5 of Lynn Austin's Chronicles of the Kings. I am thoroughly engrossed in this series!

I laughed so much at your grumpy post; you hardly look the part my friend, even when you try!

Blessings to you,
Keri

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Jan. 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by reneegrace

loved the sour crap post! :)

Happy New Year - a little late - our computer broke down!! :) I jus twatched the last portion of Jane Eyre on PBS... I guess they are going to show all of them soon... Guess I'll be a litte busy during that run of movies!! :) - yes I know, I should be reading them!

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Jan. 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by CTdittmar

I so agree with your introductory remark about your ps english classes being sorely lacking in good classics. Mine were too. I remember having to read Great Expectations...and only really understanding it well for the first time when I had to teach it to my own English classes as a 22 year old teacher! When we were assigned to read J.D. Salinger's Catcher In the Rye, I complained that I wanted to read the classics, and my then 11th grade GT public school teacher said, "But this is a classic!" While regarded as such, I could hardly bear the inundation of profanity in that book and understand how such vulgar language was considered "classic!" Ugh! Well, though my brain's much too tired to think too hard right now, you may enjoy some of Henry James' fiction...with themes of Americans in England and the Old World vs. New World vitality. You might also like Kate Chopin and Sarah Orne Jewett, American authors of the late 19th early 20th century I believe. I really enjoyed their short stories in college lit classes.
Here are a few other recommendations:
O Pioneers by Willa Cather (read it 2 years ago...it was quite good!)
Christy by Catherine Marshall (a modern Christian classic!)
Farewell the Tranquil Mind by R.F. Delderfield (set in the French revolution...a captivating story!)
and if you want a real classic...unequalled in descriptive language and depicting England's village life: George Eliot's Silas Marner. The Queen of all classics would be Eliot's Middlemarch. But I can only remember being entirely bogged down and lost by this huge novel.
Well, this comment is inordinately long...like Middlemarch, hah! Tell me what you read next, maybe I'll read it too. You're inspiring me to get back to good books for ME!

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Jan. 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by chickadee@afamiliarpath.blogspot.com

i love jane eyre! it is on my list to read again this year. i've read it twice in my life.
i just watched the movie version on pbs the last two sundays and it rekindled my love for the book so i'm going to read it again. one of my all time favorites.

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Jan. 14, 2008 - classics

Posted by Jimmie

You know, there are so MANY classics. We can spend a lifetime reading them all. And I love Cry the Beloved Country. That truly is a great book. :-)
Okay, Jane Eyre. Wow! What a GREAT book! I "read" it, unabridged on cassette tape in the car as I drove back and forth to work and to university working on my masters. I was late for class one night because I just sat in the car and listened. I COULD NOT stop.
Emma, yuck. She's such a terrible person. Very disappointing book in my opinion.
I love THOMAS HARDY. If you're grumpy, does that mean you like melancholy, tragic stories? If so, Hardy is your man. Tess is his most well known. But my favorite and very sad is Jude the Obscure. I like tragic books. Weird.

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Jan. 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Daisy

One of my faves is Gone with the WInd.

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About Me

Philosophical musings from the heart of a home-educating mommy of four and wife of ten years. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer." Psalms 19:14