After a long night of partying, Angie finally came home and flopped onto her rusty rose colored sheets and knocked out. She didn't care if she made noise tonight, the only other person living with her was her mom, and she was at an overnight business meeting in a town a few hours away. But she was used to living this way; sneaking in during the early morning hours, avoiding the fact that she's filthy and needs to brush her teeth, all the while reeking of alcohol and despair. Angie's a wise girl, even though it might not seem like it. She'd taken on the party lifestyle after her father left her family and depression consumed her. It was the only way she could cope with her feelings, cliche right? That's what she thought, and it made her feel even worse. The writing on her walls stared at her as she slept. Feelings, song lyrics, swears, you name it and it was there. She liked writing, it was her secret forte, her mini getaway. Tonight, the writing was screaming, giving her a warning that her world would turn into a hackneyed horror movie plot in 3, 2, 1.
She awoke to heavy footsteps on the second floor only 2 hours into her slumber. At first she thought it was the alcohol messing around with her head, but quickly she realized the footsteps were impossible because the room above hers used to be her late grandmother's. The only thing in there was an old, crooked painting of a vase with flowers and a squeaky mattress. "Something isn't right", she thought. "No one is supposed to be home tonight..." Suddenly, she heard loud thumping and sharp scraping, almost unnatural. And then, lots of silence. Silence, until something began walking slowly and eerily down the stairs. Chills rushed down her back and her head and arms began to pulsate with her heartbeat. It was coming toward the bedrooms. Angie began to sweat, her mind couldn't think from fear. What seemed like an eternity later, her muscles forced her to get up quietly, open her window, and jump onto her backyard just as her door opened slowly and something breathed hard. Angie slowly backed away from the window as the thing, person, or animal, walked up to the glass. They saw each other, and that was just what she feared most. Half a second later, it was gone, and Angie began to run. She didn't have time to circle around the house, so she ran straight into the blackness of the woods.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Monday, October 19, 2015
Who is Jane Eyre?
When I think of Jane Eyre, I see a complicated girl. However, complicated in the best way. She is so diverse, so complex, it is hard not to admire her. Jane has been through a roller coaster of events and emotions throughout the early part of her womanhood, and all these things combined shaped her into the strong woman that she became.
Below is a picture that I drew displaying all of the things that represent Jane Eyre in my eyes. The apple and the book signify that Jane is a learned and intelligent woman. She becomes a teacher, something she truly loves. Next, the hiding heart represents Jane's complicated relationship with love. First, Mrs. Reed showed her nothing but neglect and hatred. Then, she feels true love with one of the best friends she ever had, Helen, who ends up passing away and crushing Jane. Finally, she meets and falls in love with Mr. Rochester, a man who breaks her heart, but in the end they marry. Furthermore, the leaves and the flowers in the "N" signify Jane's free spirit and appreciation for nature. In addition, the grassy land with sprouting flowers represents Jane as a foundation. Wherever she walks, she brings kindness, love, and caring. However, she is also strong and people can depend on her for anything. Next, the bloody "E" represents all of Jane's misfortunes and hurting. Mrs. Reed, Helen, and the deceit of Mr. Rochester definitely had an effect on her, but they caused her to grow wiser and more independent. The sun and the thunderstorm also display Jane's life. She went through periods of lamenting, as well as periods of incredible happiness. She has sprung back from every obstacle with impeccable determination and strength and that is one of the qualities that I love most about her.
The quote that in my opinion greatly describes Jane reads, "I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will..." ( Ch. 23, Page 284). This is the reason why I drew a bird in the top right corner. The bird is Jane. She knows what she wants and what makes her happy based on her own set of morals and she is not afraid to pursue it. Like I mentioned before, she is a free spirit who lives her life the way she wishes to, and I greatly admire that about her. She was not afraid to stand up for what she believed was right, and that is what makes her the incredible Jane Eyre.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Life Goes On...
Dear Diary,
I am torn. I do not know what will become of me in the near future. I am confused because my beloved Mr. Rochester has deceived me. He did not mention of his crazy wife Bertha and he went ahead and married me. I do not understand how he could have thought that I would be understanding. I trusted this man with my life, and he took me for a fool! I know that the right choice is leaving, and I will, but it pains me. I felt safe and unconditionally happy with him here in Thornfield. For once in my life I thought that things had taken a turn for the better and I can be happy. I felt like he understood me so well and we could give each other a hard time and enjoy every second of it. However, I never believed that such an intelligent and strong man could be so needy and irritable, but he showed his true colors. Can u believe that he took my hand in his strong grip and hurt me out of fury? My body shook and trembled, but my choice was set. I only angered him further, but right then I knew I was making the right decision. His constant pleading and cries only solidified my choice. I cannot sit here and take all of this nonsense. I need to leave while I still can and never look back. All that I have imagined is now broken, but it is better than questioning my husband for the rest of my life. I am nervous for what God has in store for me from now on, but hopefully he will let me move on. This is by far one of the most painful days of my life, but as I have learned, love hurts.
Jane E.
I am torn. I do not know what will become of me in the near future. I am confused because my beloved Mr. Rochester has deceived me. He did not mention of his crazy wife Bertha and he went ahead and married me. I do not understand how he could have thought that I would be understanding. I trusted this man with my life, and he took me for a fool! I know that the right choice is leaving, and I will, but it pains me. I felt safe and unconditionally happy with him here in Thornfield. For once in my life I thought that things had taken a turn for the better and I can be happy. I felt like he understood me so well and we could give each other a hard time and enjoy every second of it. However, I never believed that such an intelligent and strong man could be so needy and irritable, but he showed his true colors. Can u believe that he took my hand in his strong grip and hurt me out of fury? My body shook and trembled, but my choice was set. I only angered him further, but right then I knew I was making the right decision. His constant pleading and cries only solidified my choice. I cannot sit here and take all of this nonsense. I need to leave while I still can and never look back. All that I have imagined is now broken, but it is better than questioning my husband for the rest of my life. I am nervous for what God has in store for me from now on, but hopefully he will let me move on. This is by far one of the most painful days of my life, but as I have learned, love hurts.
Jane E.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Props to the Amazing Jane Eyre
Throughout the first 21 chapters of Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, readers see Jane transforming into a wise young woman before their eyes. Jane matured greatly, and she learned the power of love and forgiveness. However, she was not so reasonable in the beginning.
When Jane was young, she was living with her Aunt Reed and cousins in Gateshead. Her aunt was relentless, she did not want to care for Jane and constantly reminded her of what a burden she was. Jane had every right to feel angry and neglected, but at times she acted instead of thinking first, such as in chapter 4 before she is sent off to Lowood. Jane yells at Mrs. Reed, “I am glad you are no relation of mine. I will never call you aunt again as long as I live. I will never come to visit you when I am grown up; and if any one asks me how I liked you, and how you treated me, I will say the very thought of you makes me sick, and that you treated me with miserable cruelty.” She would later learn that one should not always try to get revenge on the other, but rather accept the differences and act as civil as possible. If mature Jane had been there in that moment, I know she would have handled things quite differently.
Furthermore, readers really see Jane changing when she enters Lowood, her new school. There she meets and establishes a life changing relationship with an intelligent girl named Helen Burns. Helen is the polar opposite of Jane. She respects and understands the criticisms of others and does not let anything get to her. Additionally, she does not take things too personally and overreact, like Jane does. Helen taught Jane the importance of forgiveness and not seeking revenge. Vengeance and enmity will never get you far in life. Moreover, Helen's death was like a wake up call to Jane. Jane looked up to Helen so much so that her death sparked a change in Jane's entire character, a change for the better.
Finally, the audience witnesses the power of Jane's transformation when she is called back to Gateshead more than 10 years after she left. One of her cousins committed suicide and Mrs. Reed had suffered a stroke in the aftermath. Old Jane would have easily brushed it off and felt happy about Mrs. Reed finally getting what she deserved. Yet, she packed her bags for a few weeks stay and traveled the long journey back to Gateshead. While there, she realized that Mrs. Reed's hostility was still as strong as ever, and nothing had changed. One night, Jane tried to once and for all make things right. “Dear Mrs. Reed, think no more of all this, let it pass away from your mind. Forgive me for my passionate language. I was a child then; eight, nine years have passed since that day" (Ch 21). Jane portrayed significant character change by pleading a truce to her dying aunt. This moment would have been unimaginable for young Jane, but she no longer existed. A strong woman was now in her place, doing all she could to make matters right.
From an 8 year old girl to an 18 year old woman, Jane had been through hell and back. However, all of her experiences had shaped her into the learned and independent woman that she became. With Helen's short yet fulfilling presence and Jane's own merit, plus a number of other contributors, Jane matured greatly and discovered the power of forgiveness.
When Jane was young, she was living with her Aunt Reed and cousins in Gateshead. Her aunt was relentless, she did not want to care for Jane and constantly reminded her of what a burden she was. Jane had every right to feel angry and neglected, but at times she acted instead of thinking first, such as in chapter 4 before she is sent off to Lowood. Jane yells at Mrs. Reed, “I am glad you are no relation of mine. I will never call you aunt again as long as I live. I will never come to visit you when I am grown up; and if any one asks me how I liked you, and how you treated me, I will say the very thought of you makes me sick, and that you treated me with miserable cruelty.” She would later learn that one should not always try to get revenge on the other, but rather accept the differences and act as civil as possible. If mature Jane had been there in that moment, I know she would have handled things quite differently.
Furthermore, readers really see Jane changing when she enters Lowood, her new school. There she meets and establishes a life changing relationship with an intelligent girl named Helen Burns. Helen is the polar opposite of Jane. She respects and understands the criticisms of others and does not let anything get to her. Additionally, she does not take things too personally and overreact, like Jane does. Helen taught Jane the importance of forgiveness and not seeking revenge. Vengeance and enmity will never get you far in life. Moreover, Helen's death was like a wake up call to Jane. Jane looked up to Helen so much so that her death sparked a change in Jane's entire character, a change for the better.
Finally, the audience witnesses the power of Jane's transformation when she is called back to Gateshead more than 10 years after she left. One of her cousins committed suicide and Mrs. Reed had suffered a stroke in the aftermath. Old Jane would have easily brushed it off and felt happy about Mrs. Reed finally getting what she deserved. Yet, she packed her bags for a few weeks stay and traveled the long journey back to Gateshead. While there, she realized that Mrs. Reed's hostility was still as strong as ever, and nothing had changed. One night, Jane tried to once and for all make things right. “Dear Mrs. Reed, think no more of all this, let it pass away from your mind. Forgive me for my passionate language. I was a child then; eight, nine years have passed since that day" (Ch 21). Jane portrayed significant character change by pleading a truce to her dying aunt. This moment would have been unimaginable for young Jane, but she no longer existed. A strong woman was now in her place, doing all she could to make matters right.
From an 8 year old girl to an 18 year old woman, Jane had been through hell and back. However, all of her experiences had shaped her into the learned and independent woman that she became. With Helen's short yet fulfilling presence and Jane's own merit, plus a number of other contributors, Jane matured greatly and discovered the power of forgiveness.
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