Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

Jane Eyre is a novel written in the 1840's, describing the life of the main character, Jane. Both of Jane's parents die before she is too young to remember them, and Jane grows up in an abusive house. Throughout the book, Jane is faced with difficult situations she must cope with. For instance, when she finds her true love, Rochester, she discovers on her wedding day that he is already married. Jane must leave Rochester, because it is the right decision. She builds another life for herself, and proves that she is strong and intelligent. Bronte truly makes the story come alive with her words! Jane Eyre is my all-time favorite book!

"Close My Eyes" by Mariah Carey

Lyrics
This song has to do with a girl who has had a hard childhood, much like the one that Jane had. Jane lived with her deceased uncle's family, and the members of the family both physically and verbally abused her. The slow, steady beat of the song and Carey's slow, breathy voice correlate to the heavy topic of the song. Carey has powerhouse vocals, yet she chooses to sing softly in this song, symbolizing the fear and hurt that a child experiences when they are physically or emotionally abused. The lyrics describe a young girl who has been abused, and must learn how to cope with her fear and pain for the rest of her life, much like Jane.

These lyrics, specifically, relate to Jane the most:

I was a wayward child
With the weight of the world
That I held deep inside
Life was a winding road
And I learned many things
Little ones shouldn't know

Compare this to an excerpt taken from Jane Eyre, as young Jane explains her feelings.

"John had not much affection for his mother and sisters, and an antipathy to me. He bullied and punished me; not two or three times in the week, nor once or twice in the day, but continually: every nerve I had feared him, and every morsel of flesh in my bones shrank when he came near. There were moments when I was bewildered by the terror he inspired, because I had no appeal whatever against either his menaces or his inflictions; the servants did not like to offend their young master by taking my part against him, and Mrs. Reed was blind and deaf on the subject: she never saw him strike or heard him abuse me, though he did both now and then in her very presence, more frequently, however, behind her back."

Jane experienced many things that no child should ever have to go through. As a result, though, she learned to stand up for herself, and she realized at a young age that she was capable of making a better life for herself.

"I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor

Lyrics
"I Will Survive" is a time-old classic. This song truly represents Jane's character, because the song focuses on being independent, and surviving in tough situations. Gloria's confidence and independence shine through her strong vocals, and any listener can easily tell that she truly believes in every lyric that she sings. The upbeat tempo of the song also contributes to the confidence created in the belief of surviving anything; it builds a positive outlook and hopeful view. This song fits Jane's character because she proves to the reader that she can survive anything, whether it be abuse, a tough school, a new job, and leaving the man that she loves.

In this excerpt from the novel, Jane has just learned that Rochester has a wife, and she explains to him why she must leave him.

"Still indomitable was the reply--'I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself. 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 no 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 convenience 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.'
I did. Mr. Rochester, reading my countenance, saw I had done so."

This excerpt really illustrates the core of Jane's character. She loves Rochester, but vows to abide by the "law given by God." She is confident in her strength, and is willing to give up her one true love to remain true to God and her morals. This excerpt occurs during one of the toughest trials that Jane must endure, proving that she has the will and strength to survive anything, even a broken heart.

"Never Forget You" by Mariah Carey

Lyrics
I felt like this song really described Jane's feelings towards Rochester after she finds out that he is already married. The passion in Carey's voice is representative of the passion that Jane feels for Rochester, even though she knows she must leave him. Unlike the song "Close Me Eyes," Carey shows off her powerhouse vocals, and is confident in her abilities, just as Jane is confident in her decision, although she will miss Rochester. Jane knows her decision was the right one, and consciously makes an effort to rid her thoughts of Rochester, yet his presence is both constant and immutable in her mind. The song does a good job of conveying Jane's emotions; one lyric in particular caught my attention:

Cause the time wasn't on
Your side
It isn't right
I can't say I love you

This describes Jane's situation exactly. If Jane had met Rochester earlier, or later, than she did, then maybe the time would have been on her side, and they could have been together. Now, Jane must refuse to tell Rochester that she loves him, since she knows she must leave him.

"Thinking About You" by Norah Jones

Lyrics
This song, similar to "Never Forget You," by Mariah Carey, also deals with Jane's momentous decision to leave Rochester. Norah Jones's voice is so fluid and pretty, it adds a lot of emotion and depth to the lyrics, and makes for easy listening. Norah's voice is slow, and as she sings about not wanting to leave her lover, a tinge of sadness and reluctance can be heard in her voice. This is similar to Jane's thoughts when she decides to leave Rochester. Although she is reluctant and sad to leave her one true love, she knows it is the right decision. This song also symbolizes the fact that, although Jane had to leave Rochester, she will always keep his memory with her. Even when Jane has built another life for herself, she can't help but think and dream about him, although she knows she is better off without him, as in this excerpt from the book:

"I used to rush into strange dreams at night: dreams many-coloured, agitated, full of the ideal, the stirring, the stormy--dreams where, amidst unusual scenes, charged with adventure, with agitating risk and romantic chance, I still again and again met Mr. Rochester, always at some exciting crisis; and then the sense of being in his arms, hearing his voice, meeting his eye, touching his hand and cheek, loving him, being loved by him--the hope of passing a lifetime at his side, would be renewed, with all its first force and fire. Then I awoke. Then I recalled where I was, and how I was situated."

"One Girl Revolution" by Superchic(k)

Lyrics
I love this song! The fast-paced tempo and prominent drum-beat contribute to the feeling of a "revolution," because they stand out compared to the other songs in the playlist. The female vocalist might not necessarily have the prettiest voice, but her confidence and her originality really stand out, similar to Jane's. I think this song really captures another important component of her character, and really gets to the heart of who Jane is. She is not someone to take abuse, she is not afraid of knowledge, and she is not afraid to be independent and take on the world by herself. She is, in essence, a one girl revolution. Although the song is more of a modern one, it applies to Jane, and even more so, because of the time period in which she lived. In her time period, girls were expected to be prim and proper. They were expected to settle down early and have kids. But not Jane! She can be brutally honest, is intelligent and capable of thinking for herself, and is never afraid to voice her opinions.

Raise your hand if you're smart, girls
Raise your hand if you're not another carbon copy wannabe like everybody else
Raise your hand if you've got something more to say
I'm here to start a one girl revolution

"Praise You in this Storm" by Casting Crowns

Lyrics
Throughout the book, Jane relies on her faith in God to keep her going, and to help her survive in every situation. The song "Praise You in this Storm," perfectly relates to her life. Throughout the many "storms" in her life, and the terrible situations that she was put in, Jane keeps her faith in God, and relies on Him to save her, which He does. When Jane runs away from Rochester, she finds herself living in nature for several days and nights, with nothing to eat or drink, and nothing to shelter her from the storm. Throughout this time, she prays and relies on God to help her through.

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again

The uplifting background music and the strong vocals are both calming and firm, similar to Jane's character within the book. The artist's voice can be described as steadfast and comforting, representing God's presence in Jane's life.

This excerpt occurs directly after Jane leaves Mr. Rochester. She wanders around by herself in search of a nearby town, knowing that she cannot stay with him any longer. It is during her journey, when she is most hungry and tired and worn out, that she chooses to praise God, and rely on him for strength and deliverance.

"Worn out with this torture of thought, I rose to my knees. Night was come, and her planets were risen: a safe, still night: too serene for the companionship of fear. We know that God is everywhere; but certainly we feel His presence most when His works are on the grandest scale spread before us; and it is in the unclouded night-sky, where His worlds wheel their silent course, that we read clearest His infinitude, His omnipotence, His omnipresence. I had risen to my knees to pray for Mr. Rochester. Looking up, I, with tear-dimmed eyes, saw the mighty Milky-way. Remembering what it was--what countless systems there swept space like a soft trace of light--I felt the might and strength of God. Sure was I of His efficiency to save what He had made: convinced I grew that neither earth should perish, nor one of the souls it treasured. I turned my prayer to thanksgiving: the Source of Life was also the Saviour of spirits. Mr. Rochester was safe; he was God's, and by God would he be guarded. I again nestled to the breast of the hill; and ere long in sleep forgot sorrow."

"I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston

Lyrics
Towards the end of the book, Jane finds Rochester again, in very different circumstances. This time, he does not have a wife, but he has also lost his vision in a terrible fire. Although he cannot see her, and his face is marred with scars, Jane still loves him, as she always will. Jane and Rochester get married, and live happily ever after. This song symbolizes the everlasting love between Jane and Rochester, and the fact that nothing can come between them. Whitney Houston's voice is so beautiful and strong, it could also symbolize the bond between the two lovers, Jane and Rochester. Listening to the song, you can feel the passion and love within Whitney's voice, which perfectly represents the love that Jane has for Rochester.

I have now been married ten years. I know what it is to live entirely for and with what I love best on earth. I hold myself supremely blessed-blessed beyond what language can express; because I am my husband's life as fully as he is mine. No woman was ever nearer to her mate than I am: ever more absolutely bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh. I know no weariness of my Edward's society: he knows none of mine, any more than we each do of the pulsation of the heart that beats in our separate bosoms... We talk, I believe, all day long: to talk to each other is but a more animated and an audible thinking. All my confidence is bestowed on him, all his confidence is devoted to me; we are precisely suited in character—perfect concord is the result."

"Watch Me Shine" by Joanna Pacitti