Final answer:
Virginia Woolf's critique values the reader's engagement with the literary work, something that applies to why 'Jane Eyre' remains appealing due to its depth of characterization and thematic exploration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question asks for a summary that describes Virginia Woolf's views on Charlotte Brontë's novel Jane Eyre, and whether Woolf's analysis accounts for the novel's lasting appeal. In her essays, Virginia Woolf provides insightful critiques of literary works, emphasizing the active role of the reader in interpreting texts.
She suggests that readers engage with the text on various levels, including appreciating the form and organization of the narrative, the author's tone, and style choices like diction and figurative language. Woolf's approach encourages readers to think critically about the reading experience itself.
Considering Woolf's views on reading and her analyses in The Common Reader volumes, it's fair to say that Woolf would highlight the depth of characterization and emotional resonance in Jane Eyre as key factors in its ongoing appeal. Her emphasis on the reader's interpretation suggests that each generation finds new meanings and connections in Brontë's work. The endurance of Jane Eyre can be partially explained by its richness and complexity, which allows it to remain fresh and relevant to new readers over time.
Woolf's analyses go beyond the plot to examine the intricate relationship between form and content, and her perspective effectively explains why Jane Eyre is still cherished today. The novel's exploration of themes like independence, morality, and feminism continues to resonate, and readers connect deeply with the protagonist's journey of self-discovery.