Analysis of Bertha Mason´s Character in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

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Bertha Rochester’s introduction into Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte had an immense impact on her present life and aligned with the disappointments in her past. Bertha Rochester is the madwoman who lives in Mr. Rochester’s attic. She lives there because she is Mr. Rochester’s wife who was kept a secret from Jane. Mr. Rochester married her, not knowing what he was getting himself into it. Bertha Rochester is also the sister to Mr. Mason who was bitten and stabbed by her. Her existence and secret marriage to Mr. Rochester gave Jane the dissatisfaction for not being able to be Mr. Rochester’s bride and cause her to leave Thornfield and find a new home. Berth and Mr. Rochester’s relationship caused Bertha to evil to him. Locking her in the Attic wasn’t the best solution to their marriage. Bertha would occasionally escape and when she did she went right after Mr. Rochester. One night while Jane was about to go to bed she had heard a demonic laugh. He had though it was Grace Poole but it was Bertha. At the time Jane didn’t know that and when she left her room to see what it was there was smoke coming from Mr. Rochester’s room. Bertha set Mr. Rochester’s curtains and bed one fire in Chapter 15 Page 151. Bronte writes, “Some creaked: it was a door ajar, and that door was thence. I thought no more of Mrs. Fairfax; I though no more of Grace Poole or the laugh; in an instant, I was within the chamber. Tongues of flame darted round the bed: the curtains were on fire. In the midst of the blaze and vapour, Mr. Rochester lay stretched motionless, in deep sleep.” Jane tried to wake him, but he laid there, so she threw a bucket of water on him. Bertha tried to take away the only man she loved and cared about. The madwoman also impacted her life ... ... middle of paper ... ...t bear such words now. That I am not Edward Rochester’s bride is the least part of my woe, I alleged: that I have wakened out of most glorious dreams, and found them all void and vain, is a horror I could bear and master; but that I must leave him decidedly, instantly, entirely, is intolerable. I cannot do it.” After Jane left she was able to free herself of the disappointments that happened now and in the past. The disappointments included being an Orphan, broken and alone, losing her best friend and not having a family. Her response was to just leave the displeasures behind. Bertha Rochester’s introduction and existence in this novel had a deep impact on Jane’s life. She caused Jane to leave the love of her life and relive her dissatisfactions of not being wanted by the Reeds. Bertha made Jane a to a new location again experience what has happed in the past.

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