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!
1) I think that Mr. Rochester and Jane will meet again. I believe that if Mr. Rochester truly loves Jane, then he will do anything to get her back, as any man in love would do. I also believe that two people who love each other will be brought together by fate no matter what the circumstances are. Although I do not wish for the two to be together, I do not believe that Chapter 27 is the last time we will see Mr. Rochester.
ReplyDelete2)I believe that if Jane chose to stay in Thornfield, even though she forgave Mr. Rochester, she would not be able to forgive herself for being a mistress to a married man. I agree that we are reminded of Helen Burns as Jane's morals give her reason to leave Mr. Rochester and Thornfield behind.