Jane Eyre Sacrifice

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Edward Fairfax Rochester, the cynical and beastly master of Thornfield Manor, is a classic example of a Byronic hero in literature. Forced into a marriage by his family, burdened by a touched wife, and denied pleasure by the actions of others and himself, Rochester quickly becomes the arrogant, self-serving, horny, manipulative, real character that readers love to hate and love to enjoy in Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. He has sinned for the majority of his life and wishes to reach his goal of self-transformation into a man of innocence, purity and harmony, but struggles to find success until he sees promise in the young governess, Jane Eyre. Although Rochester’s search for happiness and atonement has cost him both limb and vision, it has also …show more content…

Because of this, when he finally comes upon Jane, he has little idea how to treat her as the person she is, rather than treating her as one of his past lovers. The pain and bitterness that stays from previous relationships is a considerable part of why he refuses to acknowledge any connection to other women. He refuses to believe that he fathered Adele (p.153), as well as ignoring the familial connection through marriage to Mrs. Fairfax (p.104). It also acts as his excuse as to why he led Blanche Ingram on without guilt despite knowing her less than wholesome …show more content…

Losing everything he had makes him realize his mistakes and also emphasizes his faults. Understanding this, Rochester lost all hope of ever finding happiness and Jane again. The destruction of his entire life at Thornfield Manor, including his estranged wife, his possessions, his wealth, and his home with Jane, symbolizes the death of Master Rochester and leaves only Edward Fairfax in the ashes. Edward is the man that Jane finds disabled, morose, and contrite. Seeing he has changed into a man she can fully love on equal standing, Jane and Edward marry, proving that once at rock bottom, one can only go up. Edward’s search for happiness and atonement has cost him both limb and vision, it has also rewarded him with wisdom, love, and a new “view” of the

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