Net Travel and Jane(PART 1)
"In case I married Miss Ingram, both you and little Adèle had better trot forthwith. I pass over the sort of slur conveyed in this suggestion on the character of my beloved; indeed, when you are far away, Janet, I'll try to forget it: I shall notice only its wisdom; which is such that I have made it my law of action. Adèle must go to school; and you, Miss Eyre, must get a new situation."
"Yes, sir, I will advertise immediately: and meantime I suppose---" I was going to say, "I suppose I may stay here, till I find another shelter to betake myself to:" but I stopped, feeling it would not do to risk a long sentence, for my voice was not quite under command.
"In about a month I hope to be a bridegroom," continued Mr. Rochester; "and in the interim I shall myself look out for employment and an asylum for you."
"Thank you, sir; I am sorry to give---"
"Oh, no need to apologise! I consider that when a dependent does her duty as well as you have done yours, she has a sort of claim upon her employer for any little assistance he can conveniently render her; indeed I have already, through my future mother-in-law, heard of a place that I think will suit: it is to undertake the education of the five daughters of Mrs. Dionysius O'Gall of Bitternutt Lodge, Connaught, Ireland. You'll like Ireland, I think: they're such warm-hearted people there, they say."
"It is a long way off, sir."
"No matter---a girl of your sense will not object to the voyage or the distance."
"Not the voyage, but the distance: and then the sea is a barrier---"
"From what, Jane?"
"From England and from Thornfield: and---"
"Well?"
"From you, sir...It is a long way."
"It is, to be sure; and when you get to Bitternutt Lodge, Connaught, Ireland, I shall never see you again, Jane: that's morally certain. I never go over to Ireland, not having myself much of a fancy for the country. We have been good friends, Jane; have we not?"
"Yes, sir."
"And when friends are on the eve of separation, they like to spend the little time that remains to them close to each other. Come---we'll talk over thye voyage and the parting quietly, half an hour or so, while the stars enter into their shining life up in heaven yonder: here is the chestnut tree: here is the bench at its old roots. Come, we will sit there in peace to-night, though we should never more be destined to sit there together."
SOURCE: Chapter 23, "Jane Eyre"
PICTURES: from the Denman Library
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Kato, how come you've quoted the above long passage from "Jane Eyre"?
Well..., first of all, we're good friends, aren't we, Diane? Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha...
Yes, I'd think so. That's what you wanted to tell me, isn't it?
Oh, yeah...! Besides, you see, Diane... Mr. Rochester and Jane are good friends, yet if they separated, they could hardly keep in touch with each other in those days---before Internet.
So, Kato, you think, if both lived at present, the above scene would sound stupid, don't you?
Yeah, that's right.
How come you're so sure about it?
...'Cause, even if Mr. Rochester and Jane were separated at present, Jane would send an e-mail to Mr. Rochester, and vice versa---just like you sent me the following mail:
Wow!...beautiful pictures! Kato, I’ve almost forgotten. Yes, I did send it, didn't I? Actually, Eileen sent the original to Martin, who in turn sent it to me.
You know, Diane...If Jane went to the Netherlands instead of Ireland, she would definitely send the above mail to Mr. Rochester.
Yes, more than likely, I would say.
And Jane would do so as often as she likes---just like you did.
So, Kato...you keep it, huh?
Yes, I do. I might as well go to the 2016 Olympic to see the solar city tower.
It's so futuristic, isn't it?
You're telling me, Diane. You also sent me this:
Do you like a river over a river?
You bet, Diane. I might as well visit the city of Magdeburg to see it.
I wonder if the net has anything to do with Jane Eyre.
Of course, it does. If Mr. Rochester and Jane lived in this Internet age, they would be much happier.
Why is that?
...'Cause they could frequently communicate each other on the net, even if they lived far apart. That would definitely result in a much happier ending. Mr. Rochester wouldn't have lost his arm and eye sight.
Do you really think so?
Yes, I do most definitely.
I'm thinking differently.
Oh...? How do you mean?
The other day, I came across the following list.
How much time do visitors spend
browsing a web page?
Time in
Page Country
(Seconds)
42.2 China
37.5 Brazil
27.2 Spain
26.2 France
23.9 Australia
23.7 India
20.8 United Kingdom
20.6 U.S.A
20.2 Japan
20.0 Canada
19.9 Germany
19.2 Italy
13.9 Netherlands
13.8 Israel
SOURCE: "Puzzling Web Habits
Across the Globe (Part 1)"
The above list is quite interesting, Diane. So, net surfers seldom stay long in a web page, do they?
No, the surfers don't stay long. They often flip over pages. Therefore, I doubt that the Net would improve their relationship even if they both lived in this Internet age.
Well, I think you're right in general, Diane. But it all depents...
...depends on what?
You see...People spend many hours on the Net. I spend at least three hours everyday on the net, and extra three hours on the computer offline. Do you know why?
Tell me why you spend so many hours a day.
...'Cause I can certainly improve my life.
Oh, really?
Yes, of course, I can.
Any proof, Kato?
Yes, I have some proof. Look at my blog!
(To be continued)
