Quiz Tomorrow!

We need to finish strong with Jane Eyre.

There will be a short Socrative quiz tomorrow on the end of the novel - and maybe another on Friday.
PLEASE READ - and review your classmates' handouts and tweets (hint, hint). 

I appreciate the effort on the class presentations, but I suspect that not everyone is reading as they should. 


Remember, we have a final TEST on MONDAY.
Just for fun, if you missed the tweet...


Parody - SNL - Jane Eyre from Thisbe on Vimeo.




Lastly...

Question: How much is 20,000 pounds worth today? 

Depends on how you factor it....
Answer: Thanks to this Wiki post:

 English 1B

£20,000 is the amount of money Jane‘s uncle John Eyre made during his lifetime. John Eyre has no children to pass his fortune along to, so he leaves it for Jane even though he has never met her. Jane learns that she has inherited his fortune from Saint John Rivers Eyre, after he confronts her one day. Though Jane is happy she has inherited this fortune, she decides to split it among herself and her three cousins John, Diana and Mary, even though St. John advised her not to.

Twenty Thousand pounds back in the 1840 was an extremely larger amount of money; enough to last the family for generations. There are five ways to measure the relative value of twenty thousands pounds in today’s economy. The first way to measure the relative value is the retail price index. The index measures the cost the goods and services purchased by a typical consumer in a base period of time within the United Kingdom. It is used as a limited way to measure inflation. Based on the retail price index the value of Jane’s fortune is£1,369,011.04 in today’s economy. In the U.S this would be worth about $2.738 million.

The second system used to measure the relative value of £20,000 is the Gross Domestic Product Deflator. The GDP Deflator is an index that represents the average price of all goods and services produced in the economy. Changes in the Deflator is a broad way of measuring inflation. The GDP Deflector is calculated by dividing the nominal GDP by the real GDP. Based on the GDP Deflator the value of Jane’s Fortune would be worth £1,988,258.14 or $ 3.977 million in the United States.

The third way to measure the relative value of twenty thousand pounds is the average earnings index. Average earnings are wages paid in cash to cover a specified number of hours worked in a period of time. Average earnings include overtime pay, commissions and bonuses for the specified time period. Based on Average Earnings Jane’s 20,000 would be worth£14,836,122.61 pounds and about $29 million American.

The forth method to calculating the relative value of £20,000 pounds is the per capita GDP, which is the GDP divided by the number of people in the country. This gives the average amount of money per person the economy outputs over the year. Using the per capita GDP Jane’s 20,000 given to her by her uncle, is worth 21,922,071.59 or approximately $44 million.

The fifth method used to calculate the relative value of £20,000 by measuring the consumption or production of a commodity or product against the output of the economy, the monetary amount is computed as a percent of the GPD. This means that the output of a certain commodity or project is compared to the output of the rest of the economy to see how productive it is. The method is called share of GDP and it only used for commodities if they have a large percent of the GDP. Based on share of GDP Jane’s inheritance is worth £50,625,454.98 or over $100 million U.S.

Based on information from measuringworth.com the best way to approximate the value of £20,000 in 1840 to today’s economy is per capita GDP, the best way to calculate purchasing power is using the share of GDP. So for the purpose of finding the income value and purchasing power a simple solution is to find the mean of the per capita GDP and the share of GDP. So Jane Eyre’s 20,000 adjusted to today’s economy for value and purchasing power is £36,273,767. 28 or 72,547,534.57 U.S dollars.


Works Cited
"Five Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a U.K. Pound Amount, 1830 to Present." Measuringworth.com. 5 September 2008 <http://www.measuringworth.com/ukcompare/result.php#>.

Down the Rabbit Hole Research Project: Jane Eyre

1. Watch Daniel Pink's Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

Pay special attention at minute 6...


Daniel Pink's full TED Talk

 2. Today's a day to learn independently through internet research: Autonomy, Engagement, Self Direction, Discovery, Publish.

For the next 40 minutes, you can research and explore whatever you want as long it is relevant or related to Jane Eyre.

Consider a footnote or a point of interest regarding Bronte's Biography, Victorian England, or whatever you want to explore. See below for a list of research suggestions.

3. Did I mention everyone gets an A? That is - if everyone shares their learning - post links, embed videos, images, songs, etc. Be sure to include commentary as to why it's relevant to Jane Eyre.
Post to:  http://formvistudentshowcase.blogspot.com

But everyone must do so. Positive Peer Pressure.

Show us what you learned. #Crowdsource Research

4. Lastly, just for fun add a song that you think would be perfect for a contemporary film remake of JANE EYRE. In a couple sentences, explain why it would make the soundtrack - be specific regarding the scene and point of view.

I can see eyes rolling from here - make it fun. Share your intellectual curiosity. Surprise us.
Enlighten us, please.


Here are some suggestions:

1.              How is Charlotte Bronte’s life story reflected in the novel?

2.              In Chapter 1 (page 8 of the Signet Classic edition), Jane mentions the novelPamela.  How does the story of that novel relate to this one?

3.              She also mentions Bewick’s British Birds, in Chapter 1 and on page 231.  Research that book, and explain how it connects to Jane Eyre. 

4.              In Chapter 3 (page 20), Jane mentions reading Gulliver’s Travels.  What is that story about, and what are Jane’s thoughts about it?  (It’s mentioned again on page 231.)

5.              Jane is also fascinated with tales from the Arabian Nights .  Research the tales, and explain Jane’s fascination. (She is reminded of her childhood fascination on page 231.)

6.              Page 25 mentions Guy Fawkes.  Why would Abbot think of Jane as a “miniature Guy Fawkes”?

7.              On page 49, Helen Burns is reading Rasselas, a work by Samuel Johnson.  What is it about, and how does it relate to Jane Eyre?

8.              What was the state of the British educational system in the 1840’s, or Victorian England?  Who went to school?  Where did the poor or orphans, go?

9.              What is typhus?  How serious is/was it?  Is it still a concern in the modern world?

10.           Research the career of “governess” in Victorian England.  What were the expectations?  The benefits?  Necessary training? 

11.           When Jane first meets Mr. Rochester in the fog, she assumes he and his dog Pilot are a Gytrash.  Research this term.  How does it relate to a novel with Gothic themes such as Jane Eyre?

12.           The novel makes reference to the study of phrenology, or the way the relative sizes of parts of the human skull affect personality.  Research phrenology, and discuss the novel’s references to it.  (See page 253 for one example.)

13.           In addition to phrenology and the Gytrash, the novel mentions other dabblings into mysticism such as fortune telling, presentiments, and mesmerism.  What was the reaction of Bronte’s contemporaries to the inclusion of these topics in her novel?

A few thoughts on "curation"...

The Secret of Edward Rochester

Who was shocked by the revelation in Chapter 26?

What weight does a secret create on a person's consciousness?


Earlier Mr. Rochester tells Jane Eyre that, "Remorse is the poison of life."

What is the relationship between secrets and remorse?

Why are there secrets?

What role does shame, fear, and guilt have with secrets?

Do you remember how a secret affected Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?


Mr. Rochester is not alone in his secret...checkout PostSecret.com



A few TED Talks that you may find interesting.







Related to JANE EYRE:

This Week...

Please Tweet a quote and question for each chapter!

Student Chapter Presentations: Each student will have 10 minutes to present a chapter respectively. 

Reading Due this Week

2/21 Chapter 25

2/24 Chapter 26 Monday 

2/25 Chapter 27 Tuesday

2/26 Read Chapter 28 - Wednesday - computer lab - Research Project for Jane Eyre See BELOW

2/27 Chapters 29 and 30

2/28 Chapters 31 and 32

3/ 3 or 4 33 and 34

3/5 35 and 36

3/6 37 and 38

3/7 Review

3/10 Test

1.              How is Charlotte Bronte’s life story reflected in the novel?

2.              In Chapter 1 (page 8 of the Signet Classic edition), Jane mentions the novel Pamela.  How does the story of that novel relate to this one?

3.              She also mentions Bewick’s British Birds, in Chapter 1 and on page 231.  Research that book, and explain how it connects to Jane Eyre. 

4.              In Chapter 3 (page 20), Jane mentions reading Gulliver’s Travels.  What is that story about, and what are Jane’s thoughts about it?  (It’s mentioned again on page 231.)

5.              Jane is also fascinated with tales from the Arabian Nights .  Research the tales, and explain Jane’s fascination. (She is reminded of her childhood fascination on page 231.)

6.              Page 25 mentions Guy Fawkes.  Why would Abbot think of Jane as a “miniature Guy Fawkes”?

7.              On page 49, Helen Burns is reading Rasselas, a work by Samuel Johnson.  What is it about, and how does it relate to Jane Eyre?

8.              What was the state of the British educational system in the 1840’s, or Victorian England?  Who went to school?  Where did the poor or orphans, go?

9.              What is typhus?  How serious is/was it?  Is it still a concern in the modern world?

10.           Research the career of “governess” in Victorian England.  What were the expectations?  The benefits?  Necessary training? 

11.           When Jane first meets Mr. Rochester in the fog, she assumes he and his dog Pilot are a Gytrash.  Research this term.  How does it relate to a novel with Gothic themes such as Jane Eyre?

12.           The novel makes reference to the study of phrenology, or the way the relative sizes of parts of the human skull affect personality.  Research phrenology, and discuss the novel’s references to it.  (See page 253 for one example.)

13.           In addition to phrenology and the Gytrash, the novel mentions other dabblings into mysticism such as fortune telling, presentiments, and mesmerism.  What was the reaction of Bronte’s contemporaries to the inclusion of these topics in her novel?

14.             A topic of your choice - but check with Mr. O'Brien for approval. 

Lessons with TED Ed

Chapter 21 Extended Excerpt:

Watch the BBC video of this scene on TED Ed and contribute to the discussion:

“Does that person want you?” she inquired of Mr. Rochester; and Mr. Rochester turned to see who the “person” was.  He made a curious grimace—one of his strange and equivocal demonstrations—threw down his cue and followed me from the room.

“Well, Jane?” he said, as he rested his back against the schoolroom door, which he had shut.

“If you please, sir, I want leave of absence for a week or two.”

“What to do?—where to go?”

“To see a sick lady who has sent for me.”

“What sick lady?—where does she live?”

“At Gateshead; in ---shire.”

“-shire?  That is a hundred miles off!  Who may she be that sends for people to see her that distance?”

“Her name is Reed, sir—Mrs. Reed.”

“Reed of Gateshead?  There was a Reed of Gateshead, a magistrate.”

“It is his widow, sir.”

“And what have you to do with her?  How do you know her?”

“Mr. Reed was my uncle—my mother’s brother.”

“The deuce he was!  You never told me that before: you always said you had no relations.”

“None that would own me, sir.  Mr. Reed is dead, and his wife cast me off.”

“Why?”

“Because I was poor, and burdensome, and she disliked me.”

“But Reed left children?—you must have cousins?  Sir George Lynn was talking of a Reed of Gateshead yesterday, who, he said, was one of the veriest rascals on town; and Ingram was mentioning a Georgiana Reed of the same place, who was much admired for her beauty a season or two ago in London.”

“John Reed is dead, too, sir: he ruined himself and half-ruined his family, and is supposed to have committed suicide.  The news so shocked his mother that it brought on an apoplectic attack.”

“And what good can you do her?  Nonsense, Jane!  I would never think of running a hundred miles to see an old lady who will, perhaps, be dead before you reach her: besides, you say she cast you off.”

“Yes, sir, but that is long ago; and when her circumstances were very different: I could not be easy to neglect her wishes now.”

“How long will you stay?”

“As short a time as possible, sir.”

“Promise me only to stay a week—”

“I had better not pass my word: I might be obliged to break it.”

“At all events you will come back: you will not be induced under any pretext to take up a permanent residence with her?”

“Oh, no!  I shall certainly return if all be well.”

“And who goes with you?  You don’t travel a hundred miles alone.”

“No, sir, she has sent her coachman.”

“A person to be trusted?”

“Yes, sir, he has lived ten years in the family.”

Mr. Rochester meditated.  “When do you wish to go?”

“Early to-morrow morning, sir.”

“Well, you must have some money; you can’t travel without money, and I daresay you have not much: I have given you no salary yet.  How much have you in the world, Jane?” he asked, smiling.

I drew out my purse; a meagre thing it was.  “Five shillings, sir.”  He took the purse, poured the hoard into his palm, and chuckled over it as if its scantiness amused him.  Soon he produced his pocket-book: “Here,” said he, offering me a note; it was fifty pounds, and he owed me but fifteen.  I told him I had no change.

“I don’t want change; you know that.  Take your wages.”

I declined accepting more than was my due.  He scowled at first; then, as if recollecting something, he said—

“Right, right!  Better not give you all now: you would, perhaps, stay away three months if you had fifty pounds.  There are ten; is it not plenty?”

“Yes, sir, but now you owe me five.”

“Come back for it, then; I am your banker for forty pounds.”

“Mr. Rochester, I may as well mention another matter of business to you while I have the opportunity.”

“Matter of business?  I am curious to hear it.”

“You have as good as informed me, sir, that you are going shortly to be married?”

“Yes; what then?”

“In that case, sir, Adèle ought to go to school: I am sure you will perceive the necessity of it.”

“To get her out of my bride’s way, who might otherwise walk over her rather too emphatically?  There’s sense in the suggestion; not a doubt of it.  Adèle, as you say, must go to school; and you, of course, must march straight to—the devil?”

“I hope not, sir; but I must seek another situation somewhere.”

“In course!” he exclaimed, with a twang of voice and a distortion of features equally fantastic and ludicrous.  He looked at me some minutes.

“And old Madam Reed, or the Misses, her daughters, will be solicited by you to seek a place, I suppose?”

“No, sir; I am not on such terms with my relatives as would justify me in asking favours of them—but I shall advertise.”

“You shall walk up the pyramids of Egypt!” he growled.  “At your peril you advertise!  I wish I had only offered you a sovereign instead of ten pounds.  Give me back nine pounds, Jane; I’ve a use for it.”

“And so have I, sir,” I returned, putting my hands and my purse behind me.  “I could not spare the money on any account.”

“Little niggard!” said he, “refusing me a pecuniary request!  Give me five pounds, Jane.”

“Not five shillings, sir; nor five pence.”

“Just let me look at the cash.”

“No, sir; you are not to be trusted.”

“Jane!”

“Sir?”

“Promise me one thing.”

“I’ll promise you anything, sir, that I think I am likely to perform.”

“Not to advertise: and to trust this quest of a situation to me.  I’ll find you one in time.”

“I shall be glad so to do, sir, if you, in your turn, will promise that I and Adèle shall be both safe out of the house before your bride enters it.”

“Very well! very well!  I’ll pledge my word on it.  You go to-morrow, then?”

“Yes, sir; early.”

“Shall you come down to the drawing-room after dinner?”

“No, sir, I must prepare for the journey.”

“Then you and I must bid good-bye for a little while?”

“I suppose so, sir.”

“And how do people perform that ceremony of parting, Jane?  Teach me; I’m not quite up to it.”

“They say, Farewell, or any other form they prefer.”

“Then say it.”

“Farewell, Mr. Rochester, for the present.”

“What must I say?”

“The same, if you like, sir.”

“Farewell, Miss Eyre, for the present; is that all?”

“Yes?”

“It seems stingy, to my notions, and dry, and unfriendly.  I should like something else: a little addition to the rite.  If one shook hands, for instance; but no—that would not content me either.  So you’ll do no more than say Farewell, Jane?”

“It is enough, sir: as much good-will may be conveyed in one hearty word as in many.”

“Very likely; but it is blank and cool—‘Farewell.’”

“How long is he going to stand with his back against that door?” I asked myself; “I want to commence my packing.”  The dinner-bell rang, and suddenly away he bolted, without another syllable: I saw him no more during the day, and was off before he had risen in the morning.

Test tomorrow: Wednesday

2/19 Test - Wednesday

1. Quote ID - Speaker & Audience

2. Passage analysis

3. Short essay: 

Consider the love triangle with Mr. Rochester, Jane, and Mrs. Ingram. 

• How does each character define love? Provide specific examples and quotes.
• How does unrequited love play a role? 
• And how is there dramatic irony in your second reading of the text?
• You may bring notes with quotes to class for only this part of the test. 

(Hint: Review Twitter quotes and questions...)

Optional viewing - you might find connections as it asks: What is Love?

(You can click the gear - and use the subtitles obviously if you don't know French.)

Beginning Transcript:

What is love? It's a hard term to define in so far as it has a very wide application. I can love jogging. I can love a book, a movie. I can love escalopes. I can love my wife. (Laughter)

But there's a great difference between an escalope and my wife, for instance. That is, if I value the escalope, the escalope, on the other hand, it doesn't value me back. Whereas my wife, she calls me the star of her life. (Laughter)

Therefore, only another desiring conscience can conceive me as a desirable being. I know this, that's why love can be defined in a more accurate way as the desire of being desired.Hence the eternal problem of love: how to become and remain desirable?

Read more

Remember: Test Wednesday! Chapters 13-24

2/18 22-24

2/19 Test - quote ID, passage analysis, short essay (hint: Twitter quotes and questions...)

2/20 DIVERSITY DAY - we will have class

2/21 25

2/24 26

2/25 27

2/26 28

2/27 29 and 30

2/28 31 and 32