Jane Eyre is described by Charlotte Brontë in the homonymous novel (1847) as a plain girl. 
Her appearance reveals an unpretentious (= non pretenziosa) and genuine personality. Her way of dressing is described all through (= in tutto) the book. Her dresses at Lowood and when she starts being a governess at Mr Rochester’s mansion (= palazzo) are simple, usually grey and black . Even when Mr Rochester asks her to marry him and offers to buy expensive, colourful dresses for her, she refuses: in this way she shows that she does not want to be his mistress (= amante).
Also her wedding veil (= velo da sposa) is simple and not too fancy.
A consequence of Jane’s being a plain-looking girl rather than a beauty, is that also the servants find it difficult to sympathize (= provare compassione) with her: she’s not attractive and sweet and blue-eyed and curly-haired (= con gli occhi blu e i riccioli biondi). 
There are only few moments that betray (= rivelano) a change in Jane’s behaviour: a sexual tension becomes palpable when she chooses a slightly lower neckline (= una scollatura un po’ più ampia) for her formal introduction to Rochester – Jane’s delicate neck is as exposed as her soul and she becomes vulnerable and attainable (= arrivabile); and when Jane practically tears (= si strappa) an ivory wedding dress from her body – the emotions repressed in her lifetime (= vita) wants to get free (= liberarsi) and appear open .
2012-03-20