Jane Slayre (54 page)

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a wife? Is it significant that Bertha becomes increasingly difficult at the full moon? Do you think Rochester is compassionate to care for Bertha, albeit secretly, or is her confinement crueler than simply killing her, as Jane would have done?

10. In this novel, killing is a kindness more often than it's a sin. What makes it so in Jane's mind? Do you think she's right in her assessment that she should have killed Bertha Mason and released her from her cursed life? Imagine if Bertha was merely been mad and not a werewolf--would your opinion be different? Do you think Rochester would really have minded if Jane
had
killed his wife, or doth he protest too much?

11. Jane's discovery that St. John, Mary, and Diana are her cousins fills her with joy, but what does it say about the sisters that they choose to distract themselves with such unimportant activities as education when there are monsters to be rid of? Jane often remarks on her desire to be useful; do you think the other women in this novel (except, perhaps, Miss Temple) endeavor to be use
less
? Why or why not?

12. Ultimately, Jane's union with her cousin St. John seems a fulfillment of her Uncle's charge to go forth and find other slayers to learn from. St. John's offer to take her to India gives her the opportunity to destroy perhaps hundreds of vampyres in a place where they menace unchecked. Why then, does she shun her destiny as a slayer in favor of shacking up with Rochester? Do you think she's made the right decision, or will it come back to haunt her eventually?

13. Like so many young women dating older men, Jane suffers when her seemingly perfect romance with Rochester is ruined by his beastly ex's refusal to move out, disappear, or just die (and his refusal to simply kill her). Do you think she's really horrified to find him blind and infected with his wife's disease when they are reunited, or is there a bit of her that feels he's gotten his just desserts? How difficult do you think it really is

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for her to bury him six feet deep after all he's put her through? Would his ordeal be enough to satisfy you, to allow your lover to emerge from the grave with a clean slate?

ENHANCE YOUR BOOKCLUB

1. Armed with Jane's description of vampyres, zombies, and were-wolves, visit a crowded public place such as the mall or a party at night and see if you can spot the unnatural walking among us. (Note: it is unadvisable for untrained citizens to attempt the work of a slayer. Don't try to stake or behead anyone.)

2. An abridged version of the novel is available under the title
Jane Eyre.
It's been hailed by some as a truer representation of Victorian England than the original, but others believe its deletion of all vampyres, zombies, werewolves and the like has made it much duller. Read a few chapters and compare the two versions, sharing your opinion with your book club.

3. Coauthor Sherri Browning Erwin has established a website where you can go to learn more about her and find out about her other books on vampyres and romance. You'll also find links to her blog and social media pages, where you can share with her your encounters with the undead and unnatural. Visit her at
www.sherribrowningerwin.com
.