In 1961, the anthology television show “Family Classics” released an hour long episode adapting Jane Eyre. It starred Sally Ann Howes as Jane and Zachary Scott as Rochester. Unfortunately this episode has never been officially released, but an audio recording of the show has surfaced and Charlene breaks down why she feels it’s the best of the hour-long American adaptations of Jane Eyre. This is a rare solo episode in which Charlene can enthuse over this version and insert audio clips to...

The last chapter of the novel is an emotional one, where Jane brings the reader up to speed on what has happened after her marriage to Rochester. She describes such a state of blissful union that Mike and Charlene revel in Jane and Rochester’s happy ending.  This is also the end of the podcast in its current format, but we do plan to occasionally podcast about a variety of Jane Eyre related topics in the future.  We may not be back for some time however, so stay subscribed to be notified when...

Jane makes a visit to Ferndean, where Mr. Rochester is living in desolate seclusion.  But she helps him regain his vivacity as she playfully eases his mind and reassures him that she is there to stay and will never leave him again. Join Charlene and Mike as they discuss the sweetly romantic reunion of our protagonists, and the penultimate chapter of this novel. ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar Valaha. Audio clips are taken from the 1973 BBC production of Jane Eyre...

Jane’s return to Thornfield comes with suspense as Thornfield is not quite how she left it.  Charlene and Mike enjoy the gossip from the innkeeper as he recounts the events from the last year.  Welcome to the “pen-penultimate” chapter of the novel! ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar Valaha. Audio clips are taken from the 1973 BBC production of Jane Eyre starring Sorcha Cusack and Michael Jayston. Please follow Jane Eyre Files on Twitter and Instagram  @eyreguide If...

St. John is a cold man indeed, as he gives Jane the cold shoulder for a week after she refused his offer of marriage.  Jane struggles with whether or not she should trust St. John’s judgment on this, until she hears a mysterious summons from across the moors. A beautiful moment ensues as Jane makes the right decision for herself. ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar Valaha. Audio clips are taken from the 1973 BBC production of Jane Eyre starring Sorcha Cusack and Michael...

Jane is settling into domestic bliss as she welcomes Diana and Mary back home to Morton. St. John’s proposal that she marry him and live in India takes her by surprise.  Just as the hosts of this show are unhappy with St. John’s approach, Jane must be more than disappointed after the romantic bar was set so high by Mr. Rochester. ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar Valaha. Audio clips are from the 1973 BBC production of Jane Eyre starring Sorcha Cusack and Michael...

St. John makes an unexpected visit to Jane’s cottage, and gleefully (in a repressed way) lets her know that he has found out her whole history.  Jane is much less concerned with the reason for St. John’s discovery, as with the state of Mr. Rochester.  She doesn’t find out much on that, but good news, she is now a rich heiress and has three cousins! Jane’s life has broadened and we are delighted that she has finally received the gift of a loving family. ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My...

Jane’s hard work as the village teacher is paying off, as she appreciates the respect and affection of her students and their parents. Jane still thinks about Rochester though, and is inspired to try and bring Rosamond and St. John together, however it is futile given St. John’s nature.  A comparison of St. John and Helen’s devout outlooks on life ensue, especially in how it aids Jane during moments of emotional turmoil. ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar...

Jane is established in her new position as mistress of a small village school, and she gets a first hand glimpse of some new romantic drama - with the introduction of Rosamund Oliver.  St. John seems to be resisting his passionate love for Rosamund, as Jane is resisting hers for Mr. Rochester. It is an obvious parallel, but it does bring more depth to St. John’s character. ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar Valaha. Audio clips are from the 1973 BBC production of Jane...

Jane is benefitting from a newfound friendship with Diana and Mary Rivers, and their picture of contentment makes these podcast hosts envious.  Meanwhile, St. John and even Jane can not help but acknowledge their own restless natures. ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar Valaha. Audio clips are from the 1973 BBC production of Jane Eyre starring Sorcha Cusack and Michael Jayston. Please follow Jane Eyre Files on Twitter and Instagram  @eyreguide If you’re an “Eyrehead”...

In this chapter, we are formally introduced to a whole new set of characters, who will have a major impact on Jane’s life. Even though, in this discussion, Mike and Charlene miss the excitement of Thornfield and Mr. Rochester just a little.  Still, we have much to learn about the Rivers family, and we are just getting started! ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar Valaha. Audio clips are from the 1973 BBC production of Jane Eyre starring Sorcha Cusack and Michael...

At the end of Chapter 28 of Jane Eyre, Jane is in a new house, as are the hosts of this podcast (we finally bought our first house!), which is why we had to take a brief hiatus from recording the show.  Now we return to Jane’s story of inner strength and perseverance, as she turns to Mother Nature and the kindness of “strangers” after her flight from Thornfield Hall. ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar Valaha. Audio clips are from the 1973 BBC production of Jane Eyre...

In this week’s episode of Jane Eyre Files, we are continuing the discussion on Chapter 27 - the chapter in which Jane leaves Rochester.  We focus on two important aspects in this episode - Bertha Mason’s personality, and the nature of her marriage with Rochester, and Jane’s dilemma in whether or not to leave Thornfield.  Mike and Charlene have some debates over both of these topics, as Jane prepares to move on to a new phase in her life. Mike and Charlene are also moving into a new phase in...

This chapter - the chapter where Jane leaves Rochester - is Charlene’s favorite part of the book.  Rochester tells all, and Jane is faced with the most difficult decision of her life.  There’s a lot to unpack as this is the longest chapter thus far, so Mike and Charlene are discussing it in two parts.  The focus of Part 1 will be on Jane’s reaction to learning about Bertha and Rochester’s justification for his actions. Enjoy! ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar...

It’s Jane’s wedding day and Rochester’s big secret is finally revealed.  Charlene and Mike discuss the culmination of the Gothic mystery in the novel, and the first impression of Bertha Mason through Jane’s eyes. There is a ton of “emotional damage” in this chapter, and we support Jane’s strength in bearing with the devastation. ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar Valaha. Audio clips are from the 1973 BBC production of Jane Eyre starring Sorcha Cusack and Michael...

The night before their wedding, Jane and Rochester stay up late and talk. They speak of their future, and of Jane’s troubling dreams.  Her last one - in which a strange woman is in her room and tears her wedding veil - is all the more troublesome when she awakens and finds the veil torn on the floor.  Rochester assures her everything is fine, and Charlene and Mike are left feeling as uneasy as Jane.  For such an important romantic moment as the night before her wedding, we find there is much...

The day after the proposal, Jane finds that Rochester’s indulgent and amorous mood makes her a little nervous about what to expect in the weeks before their wedding.  She keeps him at a distance for both of their sakes, and Mike and Charlene dissect what that means about Jane’s character and her relationship with Mr. Rochester. ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar Valaha. Audio clips are from the 1973 BBC production of Jane Eyre starring Sorcha Cusack and Michael...

A splendid Midsummer shines over this episode, as Jane walks alone in the garden with Mr. Rochester.  Rochester pushes Jane to the brink emotionally, and they finally reveal their love for each other.  It’s a beautiful moment, and Mike also relates what part of this chapter inspired his own marriage proposal to Charlene a few years ago.  Romance, revelations, and a summer storm with lighting is in the air with Chapter 23! ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar...

Although this chapter feels like a transition phase in the story - bridging the end of the Reed’s family influence in Jane’s life, and the future marriage that will disrupt her work as a governess at Thornfield - there is a lot to unpack with Jane and Rochester’s emotions. Mike and Charlene also remember a great actor who played Mr. Rochester in the 1996 adaptation - William Hurt. ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar Valaha. Audio clips are from the 1973 BBC production...

Troubling dreams of a child visit Jane, and bad news follows after - John Reed has died and Mrs. Reed is on her sickbed, requesting to speak to Jane.  Jane leaves for Gateshead and her past is revisited.  How easy is it to forgive someone who is unrepentant?  Charlene and Mike debate the issue as we all catch up with the Reed family. ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar Valaha. Audio clips are from the 1973 BBC production of Jane Eyre starring Sorcha Cusack and Michael...

A mysterious attack on Mr. Mason bewilders Jane, and instead of answers Rochester just raises more questions. Charlene and Mike deal with the confusing events and emotions in Jane, while marveling at Charlotte Brontë’s beautiful prose. ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar Valaha. Audio clips are from the 1973 BBC production of Jane Eyre starring Sorcha Cusack and Michael Jayston. Please follow Jane Eyre Files on Twitter and Instagram  @eyreguide If you’re an “Eyrehead”...

We take a break from discussing the novel to share this interview with Michael Jayston - who played Mr. Rochester in the 1973 BBC series.  The episode begins with Charlene remembering how she met her favorite Rochester many years ago and then Michael Jayston shares with us some thoughts about the novel and stories from filming Jane Eyre.  This is a very special episode to the hosts of this podcast and we hope you will enjoy it! ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar...

Jane finally gets to talk to the mysterious Gypsy woman who knows quite a bit about her.  And in the first part of this episode Charlene and Mike disagree on Rochester’s motivations for carrying on his charade. We follow that up with a breakdown of  the three miniseries adaptations that depict this scene.  For a scene that rarely makes it to adaptations, it’s interesting to see how differently the three versions approach it. ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar...

Jane analyzes the interactions between Blanche and Rochester, and more of her own thoughts about Rochester are revealed.  Enter a mysterious stranger and a mysterious gypsy woman, and this chapter is the perfect set up for more intrigue. Mike and Charlene debate how true Jane’s analysis is, and the potential for more secrets and puzzles. ---- Our theme song is “You Live In My Heart” by Zakhar Valaha. Audio clips are from the 1973 BBC production of Jane Eyre starring Sorcha Cusack and...