The Cruelness of the Human Species- Chapter 28

After Jane had left Mr. Rochester, because she found out about his first wife, she had no money, no food, and no where to go.  She eventually wandered to a house and a lady answered the door., and a morsel o

"'Where do you come from?' 'I am a stranger.'...'I want a night's shelter in an out-house or anywhere, and a morsel of bread to eat.' 'I'll give you a piece of bread,'... 'but we can't take in a vagrant to lodge... 'But where shall I go if you drive me away? What shall I do?'... Here is a penny; now go-'... Don't shut the door:-oh don't, for God's sake!'  'I must; the rain is driving in-'" Chapter 28.

This qoute shows just how cruel and unjust one human being can be to another.

The End

Jane and Mr. Rochester are finally reunited. Mr. Rochester believes that Jane should have chosen to stay with St. John instead of choosing to be with him. He feels as though he does not deserve her because he is now blind and crippled. I believe that everyone deserves to be loved including those who do not think they should because of their handicaps. Jane loves Mr. Rochester despite his physical disabilities. Ironically, in spite of Mr. Rochester's indifference towards children, the two lovers have a son. Although the ending of the book is not a "perfect" one, the couple will live on in happiness with one another.

Rochester and Jane Chapter 36

Altough Jane is has not worked for Rochester in over a year, and since then has aquired a large some of money, why does she still refer him "master"?

Karma

Karma is the basic belief that, if you do good, then good will come of it and to you, and vice versa.  I believe that Jane is a victim of this belief: She has never done something bad to a person and she has always strived to do good when she can.  Janes many years of commiting selfless act have finally payed off; she is rich!  She has now inherited the money of her dead uncle, which totals out at 20,000 pounds.  Could this massive amount of money corrupt Janes view of things? or possibly turn her friends against her?

No Perfect Endings

I think that Charlotte Bronte displays that there are no perfect endings in reality. However, imperfections are what make life real. Nothing is ever perfect. Nothing ever completely moves in our favor. Some might say that it would have been better if Mr. Rochester had not lost his left hand or became blind because of the fire. Some might also say that it would have been better if Thornfield had not been burned down. Mr. Rochester and Jane could have lived 'happily ever after' in Thornfield and end their love story where it began. However, this is not what happened in the book. The best ending for anyone despite all of the imperfections is to finally be with the one they love and spend the rest of their life with that person. That in itself is a perfect ending. I believe that in the end, this will be true of Jane and Mr. Rochester.

St. john and Jane chapter 34

In chapter 34, again, we see as the readers, the hold St. John still has on Jane. She cannot bear to be alienated from him although he "pushes" her away every time she attempts to befreind and connect once more with him. St. John on the other hand has other things on his mind, he has a trip to India to prepare for, and Jane to marry. He is offended by Jane when she indirectly declines his offer of marriage by saying, "If I were to marry, you would kill me. You are killing me now" (420) Although Jane has grown to depend greatly on St. John she cannot bring herself to marry him, thus she remembers Rochester and decides to find out what has become of him before Jane makes her final decision.

What Will Happen Next?

Jane was surprised to see that Thornfield had been burned down. It was devastating to see that the first real home she ever had was left in ruins. She discovered that Bertha burned down Thornfield and committed suicide. Jane also discovered that Mr. Rochester had lost his left hand and was blinded because of the treacherous incident. Now Jane ventures off thirty miles to a manor house, Ferndean, to find Mr. Rochester. What will happen when Jane and Mr. Rochester reunite? Will their relationship be affected by the fact the Mr. Rochester is blind now? I believe that Mr. Rochester's inability to see will not make Jane love him any less. Jane would not find his blindness as an excuse to simply leave him. I also believe that when the two lovers reunite, they will get married.

Chapter 34; Jane's relatioship with St. John

In Chapter 34, we as the readers begin to see that Jane's relationship with St. John has become more of a burden than a delight. This is made clear to the reader when Bronte writes, " By degrees, he acquired a certain influence over me that took way my liberty mind: his praise and notice were more restraining than his indifference. I could no longer talk or laugh freely when he was by...When he said "go," I went! "come," I came; "do this," I did it. But I did not love servitude; I wished, many a time, he had continued to neglect me (404-5) In this quote, the reader can sense that Jane does not serve St. John out of affection but rather out silent protest. Their relationship is mainly based on his dominance over her. Even in their intimate moment, of kissing did Jane feel, "... As if the kiss were a seal affixed to my fetters", describing this event with master-slave imagery. Do you believe this kind of relationship will last? Is Jane going to marry him and again sacrifice herself for the benefit of others? Will Jane finally lose her independence that she has shown so clearly all through the book?

St. John and Mr. Rochester

St. John possess some qualities quite similar to Mr. Rochester. In chapter 33 how does he indicate some of these similarities when he tells the story of Jane's inheritance? Is there a desire for control and power?

St. John Rivers' Calling

The proposal may be a surprise, but the impulse is good, right? Or is it? Do you think that the missionary zeal that St. John shows gives a positive view of Christianity? Is he an admirable character, a positive religious model?

Social Class (chapter 31)

Although she has good intentions, Jane can't help but feel superior towards her new found companions. For example when she says, " I must not forget that these coarsely-clad little peasants are of flesh and blood as good as the scions of gentlest genealogy." (p. 365) It is clear to the reader that Jane feels "degraded." Instead of embracing these feelings Janes forces herself to overcome these emotions and fufill her duties not only as a teacher but also as a freind.

The Society Jane Lives In

We are able to take a glimpse at how the society that Jane lives in treats the poor. Jane is left without any money and has to spend the night outside. In the morning, driven by hunger, she goes in search of work in the village in order to receive food. Jane even tries exchanging gloves for some bread, but is unsuccessful. She begs for bread and has no choice but to sleep outside for another night. The next night she wanders father into the village and watches three women through a window. She knocks on their door but is not allowed in. She collapses on a doorstep, but St. John (Sinjin) who comes at this moment tells the women to let Jane inside. We see how in Jane's society that hardly anyone is willing to help the poor and greatly look down upon them. However, it is people like Sinjin, who show compassion towards others, that show an example of being a genuinely good person.

The Struggle of Moral

In chapter 27, Jane struggles to leave Mr. Rochester and move on with her life. She is torn between passion and reason. As she attempts to find the the strength to free herself of Rochester she says, " It wanted to be weak that I might avoid the awful passage of further suffering I saw laid out for me; and conscience, turned tyrant, help passion by the throat" (303) Unfortunately reason has surpassed love and instead, Jane restrains herself. Despite his protest Jane consistently and effectively tells him that she cannot wed him because he is already married. Althoufh her answer remains, a clear "NO" Jane cannot help but feel sympathy for Rochester, especially after he tells her the story of how he was tricked into marrying Bertha Mason and the misery he has and continues to experience for doing so. Rochester senses Jane's sympathy and sees a glimmer of hope as he begs Jane to stay saying,"Ten years since, I flew through Europe half mad; with disgust, hate and rage, as my companions; now I shall revisit healed and cleansed, with a very angle as my comforter" (p. 264) Instead of taking this statement as an excuse to marry Rochester, Jane retrains from giving into pressure, assuring him that God will help him get through his hurt, pain and loss. This is important to the reader because the qualities of Helen,again even late in the story continue to reoccur in Jane even she feels her moral is low. As a result of this confrontation between Mr. Rochester and Jane, she leaves in the night to look for a different job, reassuring herself this is the best move for both of their lives.

Questions for fellow bloggers:
1. Do you think that fate will intervene and Jane and Mr. Rochester will meet again?

2. Do you think leaving Mr. Rochester was the best move to make in the interest of Jane?

I look forward to discussing more chapters on Jane Eyre in the near future!

The Battle Between the Brain and the Heart

Jane struggles between choosing to stay with Mr. Rochester, the man she loves, and choosing to leave because her conscious will not allow her to be with a married man. Sometimes we base our decisions solely on our emotions, which are misleading. Other times we base our decisions on our morals, which usually lead us in the right direction. How do you decide whether to follow your brain or your heart? In the best situations, both agree on the same decision. However, in Jane's situation her morals and love for Mr. Rochester conflict with each other. Ultimately, Jane decides to leave Thornfield and more importantly, Mr. Rochester. With every choice we make comes sacrifice. Jane had to sacrifice her love for Mr. Rochester because of her choice to follow her brain. However, I believe that we should all see Jane as an example to choosing to do the right thing even though it means sacrificing our own happiness.

Jane Eyre and The Romantic Movement

Chapter 27 is a great one in many ways. I'm sure you'll want to blog about the moral dilemma Jane faces and the "debate". However, please also take a few minutes to comment on how this chapter adds to our view of Bronte as a writer of the Romantic Movement. Imagination, nature, symbolism, myth, emotion, individualism, the everyday and the exotic - what shows up here?

In response to Ms. Augustine's post on October 7, 2010,I would like to add to her statement, that Jane not only has a strong sense of mortality, but character's such as Helen and Bessie influenced the way Jane views life and acts during moral dilemmas. For example when Bronte writes, "...I must be torn from you for ever... In shape of Miss Ingram; a noble and beautiful woman,---your bride." the reader senses that although Jane is in love with Mr. Rochester she is devoted to a moral code that is similar to Helen and Bessie's way of thinking. Tis is significant because this shows that people like Bessie and Helen who lived by a strict moral code similar to the one of Jane had a greater impact on Jane's life then she knew.

Destani Bell 10/13/10

Social Equality then and Now

"...and we stood at God's feet, equal,---as we are!" Chapter 23

In this quote Jane has professed her love to Mr. Rochester. Not only does Jane express her love for Mr. Rochester,but she also declares herself equal to him as well. This is powerful because during that time period, women were looked upon as inferior. It is because of brave women like Charlette Bronte, who not only possessed the the ability to write books like Jane Eyre but also the courage, many women in the 21st centurary are treated with more respect and dignaty then in the past.

Destani Bell 10/13/10

Jane's "recollection"

Everything you throw out in life, eventually, comes right back to you.

Every now and then life has a way of bringing you back to parts of your life you would rather leave untouched and forgotten.  Jane Eyre left the cruel environment of Gateshead at an early age and later in her life would rather just forget about it, but she has been invited to go back to that forlorn place to be with her past guardian, , in her last month on Earth.  Jane has changed very much, unlike the furniture, since her first exposure to Gateshead.  She no longer looks upon Ms. Reed with a hateful view, but with a pitiful look.  as Jane is moving through Gateshead she sees many things that remind her of her childhood there.

"Old times crowded fast back on me asI watched herbustling about...Bessie had retained her quick temper as well as her good looks.  Tea ready, I was going to approach the table; but she desired me to sit still, quite in her old comtemporary tones. I must be served by the fireside, she said...and I smiled and obeyed her as in bygone days...  There was every article of furniture looking as it did on the morning I was first introduced to Mr. Brocklehurst: the very rug he had stood upon still covered the hearth...The inanimate objects were not changed; but the living things were altered past recognition." -Chapter 21

Mr. Rochester and Jane's New Found Relationship

"Human beings never enjoy complete happiness in this world. I was not born for a different destiny to the rest of my species; to imagine such a lot befalling me is a fairy tale - a daydream" (Chapter 24).

Jane and Mr. Rochester now know that the love they have for one another is reciprocated. Jane wakes up happily and feels that everything is surreal. She feels that becoming Mr. Rochester's bride is like a fairy tale considering their differing social statuses. Is it possible for their relationship to survive under these circumstances? Can two individuals living in this time period, coming from different social classes get married? Jane's mother was disowned by her family for marrying a man of a lower social class. In their society, it was conventional for people to marry others that were of the same social strata. When a wealthy individual married someone poor, society would deduce that the latter was only getting married for the money.

Mystery

Even though we are barely halfway through reading Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, I have seen a great deal of mystery in this story, and with mystery along comes suspicion.  There are many examples of mystery in Jane Eyre, one is when Mr. Rochester went upstairs to speak with Grace Poole after his bed caught aflame.  Mr Rochester comes down afterwards and does not punish Grace Poole in any way, this leads Jane to suspect something.

"...so much was I occupied in puzzling my brains over the enigmatical character of grace Poole, and still more in the pondering of her position at Thornfield and questioning why she had not been given into custody that morning, or, at the very least, dismissed from her master's service.  He had almost as much declared his conviction of her criminality last night: what mysterious cause withheld him from accusing her?" -Chapter 16

Another, more apparent, mystery is the relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester.  These two human beings of a great age seperation are, most likely, both racking their brains over confusing and unanswered questions such as, "Does she have special feelings for me?" , or, "What if I admit my feelings to him and I just embarrass myself?"  Many more questions were mentioned in Eliza Yra's post "Take the Risk".  These mysteries are only two of the many in the wonderful scriptures of Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte.

Take the Risk

I think that Mr. Rochester reciprocates the feelings that Jane has for him. Most of his actions have implications that he favors Jane. The problem with these two individuals is that neither one of them is willing to admit their feelings for each other. They are not relying on hints, but require to be one hundred percent sure that the other shares the same feelings. However, in a situation such as this, it takes one of the two individuals to take a risk, in spite of the fear of rejection. If neither one of them chooses to say anything, then they will always wonder what would have happened if they had told the other their true feelings. They will always wonder "what if?" What if they share the feelings I have for them? What if we are meant for each other? What if we became a couple? Then there are the other set of "what if?" questions which causes them to convince themselves not to take the risk. What if they reject me? What our relationship comes to ruin? What if I completely embarrass myself? What is life without taking risks? If you have the chance to tell the person you love your true feelings for them, take it. Making the choice is imperative. Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester have to make the choice. Take the risk or spend the rest of your life wondering what could have been.

Writer of Conscience

Jane may not be as overtly Christian as Helen Burns, but she has a strong sense of morality. She is concerned about character. She comments also on Mr. Rochester's warning, "Beware remorse." Let's keep an eye on Jane's inner struggle with conscience, and I'd like to hear from all of you about the values that she considers important.

Social Hierarchy

In Jane's lifetime the lower class were seperated from the higher class by a strong social hierarchy, this shoved a barrier in between the relationship of Jane and Mr. Rochester.  If you view it in terms of relationships between the different levels of the social Hierarchy you see it is similar to the Indian Caste system: The people of one social level couldn't/wouldn't (except in some rare cases) have relations with people of another social level.  At one time Jane was beggining to rack her brain with the question, "Why would he choose me?  He can get someone better."  Her concious told her to use her artistic talents to comprise a portrait of her and a portrait of Blanche Ingram.  When she was finally done she compared the two protraits:

"An hour or two sufficed to sketch my own protrait in crayons; and in less than a fortnight I had completed an ivory miniature of an imaginary Blanche Ingram... the contrast was as great as self-control could desire."  (Chapter 16)

Jane is now convinced that a noble man such as Mr. Rochester would never fall in love with someone as ugly as her.

Is Jane Beginning to Fall in Love

"A week passed, and no news arrived of Mr. Rochester: ten days; and still he did not come...I was beginnig to fell a strange chill and failing at the heart. I was actually permitting myself to experiance sicking sense of dissapointment..." Chapter 17 pg.164

In this quote the reader senses that Jane is beginning to go from a faint crush on Mr. Rochester to deeper feelings of love. For example when the author writes, "...I was actually permitting myself to experiance sicking sense of dissapoint..." the reader senses that Jane is no longer supressing small feelings of attraction but is starting to reveal a much stronger and connection to Mr. Rochester. Jane no longer is attracted to Mr. Rochester, but she is in love with Mr. Rochester

Adele and Mr.Rochester

"He then said that she was the daughter of a French opera dancer, Celine Varens, towards whome he had once cherished what he called a 'grande passion.'" (Chapter 15)

Mr. Rochester explains to Jane his connection to Adele. He reveals that he was in love with a French opera dancer who was pregnant and claimed that the child was his even though there may have been a chance that it was another man's. The child's mother abandoned her and is now under Mr. Rochester's care. Mr. Rochester could have simply left Adele in an orphanage, but instead took her in. His reasons for taking in Adele are questionable. Was it because he pitied the abandoned child or because of the possibility that he may be his daughter? Nonetheless, Jane's impressions of Mr.Rochester change. She sees Mr.Rochester in a different perspective. He took in Adele, providing her with shelter, clothing, and all the other necessities of a child, even though he is not certain whether the child is his own daughter. Jane witnesses Mr. Rochester's compassionate side. This side of him causes the beginning of Jane's new feelings towards him, which will develop even more in the days to come.

The Mystery of Grace Poole

"...so much was I occupied in puzzling my brains over the enigmatical character of Grace Poole, and still more in pondering the problem of her position at Thornfield..." (Chapter 15)

Grace Poole is plump, short, and works at Thornfield. Grace gives Jane the impression that she is absurd and strange. Eventually, Jane becomes suspicious of her when Mr. Rochester's room catches on fire. Mr.Rochester immediately goes up to the third floor where Grace reports to and stays everyday. She keeps Jane on the edge by her mysterious nature. This causes Jane to assume that Grace is responsible for the fire. Jane begins to speculate the reason why Mr.Rochester does nothing to discharge his employee. She eases into an interrogation of Grace which does not lead to any valuable answers. Grace receives a higher pay compared to the rest of the employees at Thornfield, but no one exactly knows what her job she carries out on the third floor, which is another mystery to be solved.

Jane Eyre and Mr.Rochester: First Impressions

Jane Eyre first meets Mr. Rochester, the owner of Thornfield Mansion, on Hay Lane. Mr. Rochester's horse slips on a sheet of ice. He flies from his steed, spraining his ankle in the process. Does this event forshadow the destiny of Jane and Mr. Rochester?

Response to Teacher Thread #1

Helen is Jane's closet friend and even though her role is short lived,she is a very important character in the story. Her personality is very meek,humble, and forgiving. She does everything in her power to create or keep peace with everyone she comes in contact with. Helen is a devout Christian and attempts to live the Holiest Life possible for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Even though Jane is the very opposite of Helen, her fondness of Helen suggest to the reader that deep down inside she possess some qualities and characteristics of Helen, such as meekness and humbleness and later in the story will begin to show those qualities and characteristics.

Teacher Thread #1: Helen Burns - Too Good to be True?

Prompt:If Helen Burns seems "too good to be true" to you, how does that reflect on either the narrator's perception or the author's development of character? Are there other characters in the first 8 chapters that seem too "flat" to you? What expectations do you have of the balance of the novel, given the characters you've met so far?