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Mr rochester jane eyre introduction
Jane eyre contrast st john river and rochester
Jane Eyre strengths and weaknesses for Rochester and St. John
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Jane Eyre, a conscientious young governess, tells her master, Mr. Rochester, that she dislikes speaking nonsense. Mr. Rochester tells her quite frankly, "If you did, it would be in such a grave, quiet manner, I should mistake it for sense...I see you laugh rarely; but you can laugh very merrily: believe me, you are not naturally austere" (141). In this way is the inner struggle between feelings and judgment recognized and revealed. In Charlotte Brontë's novel, Jane Eyre, Mr. Rochester, St. John Rivers, and Jane Eyre all struggle with feelings versus judgment.
Mr. Rochester is irresistibly driven by his feelings. He carries a long history of ignoring sound judgment, including his hasty and unwise marriage to Bertha Mason because he "was dazzled, stimulated...[he] thought [he] loved her"(310), and his ensuing licentious, wandering life in search of pleasure. He has grown so accustomed to burying good sense, that he is able to completely disregard the fact that he still has a living wife with a clear conscience. Swept away by his feelings, he ignores the law, and tries to justify marriage to Jane. His passion often exceeds his control, like when Jane tells him she must leave Thornfield. "‘Jane! Will you hear reason? Because, if you won't, I'll try violence'" (307), he tells Jane desperately. Mr. Rochester deludes himself into the belief that he listens to sound judgment, but in reality, what he calls reason is simply folly born from his uncontrolled passions.
St. John Rivers buries his feelings and gives complete preference to judgment. Jane notes his strict self-discipline the first time she sees him with the beautiful Miss Oliver: "His chest heaved once, as if his large heart, weary of despotic constriction, had expanded, despi...
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...o a harmonious blend by Jane's complete happiness. She describes this harmony in marriage: "I know what it is to live entirely for and with what I love best on earth. I hold myself supremely blest--blest beyond what language can express...All my confidence is bestowed on him, all his confidence is devoted to me...perfect concord is the result"(459).
Mr. Rochester, St. John Rivers, and Jane Eyre are all marked by their internal struggle between succumbing to feelings and relying on sound judgment. Each character approaches the issue differently, as Mr. Rochester follows his feelings, St. John acts only on judgment, and Jane tries to find a healthy and harmonious blend. In this way the struggle between feelings and judgment is contrasted and highlighted by each character's differences.
Works Cited
Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. New York: Signet Classic, 1997. Print.
Jane Eyre is born into a world where she is left bereft of the love of parents, family, or friends, but instead surrounded by hateful relatives. She resolves to attend school to begin her quest for independence. This theme is seen through Jane’s behavior when she renounces her relation to her aunt Mrs. Reed, ignoring the nurse’s orders and leaving her room to see Helen again, and when she acquires the courage to speak her opinion to Mr. Rochester.
Charlotte Bronte utilizes the character of Bertha Rochester to interrupt Jane’s potential happy ending with Mr. Edward Rochester. Bertha is announced by Mr. Briggs as a way to stop the wedding and it also shows how hopeless Jane’s situation is. “That is my wife “said he. ‘Such is the sole conjugal embrace I am ever to know—such are the endearments which are to solace my leisure hours! And this is what I wished to have,’” (312) and “’I wanted her just as a change after that fierce ragout,’” (312) are quotes that express Mr. Rochester’s reasons for trying to remarry while he already has a wife, meanwhile showing his disposition towards said wife. Had Mr. Briggs and Mr. Mason not been present for the ceremony, Jane may have lived happily in ignorance. Due to Bertha’s involvement however, Jane could never truly call herself Mr. Rochester’s wife. She says, “’Sir, your wife is living: that is a fact acknowledged this morning by yourself. If I lived with you as you desire—I should then be your mistress: to say otherwise is sophistical—is false.’” (323) This quote shows that as a result of Bertha’s exposure, Jane refuses to marry Mr. Rochester. The influence that Bertha’s brief debut had on Jane’s life was significant enough to hinder the growth of her relationship with Mr. Rochester.
St. John Rivers is introduced into the novel as a savior. He takes Jane into his home and under his care when she believes to have reached the end of her road. It is here, at Moor House with St. John, that she is given a new beginning with a new identity, job, and, eventually, a family with St. John and his sisters. As a clergyman, St. John is a good, moral person whose intentions are to provide for his people and his family. He also eventually wants to become a missionary someday soon. Jane likes the idea of this and it is evident to readers that Jane admires St. John and loves him like the brother he has become to her. He even gives her a job as a teacher at a school for less fortunate children. It is here that she is introduced to Rosamond Oliver and her father.
From an early age Jane is aware she is at a disadvantage, yet she learns how to break free from her entrapment by following her heart. Jane appears as not only the main character in the text, but also a female narrator. Being a female narrator suggests a strong independent woman, but Jane does not seem quite that.
Because Jane is the narrator, the reader is given a biased point of view that St. John’s character is unfavorable. Throughout Jane’s life she has had oppressive male figures dominate her life, such as John Reed and Mr. Brocklehurst. Thus, Jane can condition herself to be apprehensive when confronting men. After gaining her physical and emotional strength, Jane studies St. John’s character. Jane’s first impression of St. John is pessimistic, she states “Had he been a statue instead of a man, he could not have been easier”(Bronte 329).
Whether it is because of the obligation, out of love, pity or kindness, Jane believes she visit Mrs. Reed and fulfill her last wishes. “Forgive me for my passionate language; I was a child then; eight, nine years have passed since that day.” (253) Putting the hardships behind her Jane gives her full apologies to Mrs.
Mr. Rochester pleaded Jane for forgiveness and that they should marry and forget about Bertha Mason and leave with him to France. Jane deceived him by leaving the Thornfield hall in the middle of the night without saying farewell to Mr. Rochester in person.
St. John Rivers plays one of these life determining foils to Jane. Eyre. His confidence, devotion and reason intrigue Jane almost enough. silence her inner passionate spirit, but it is the forces of nature that prove to be stronger than human will. & nbsp; The life path of a Victorian woman was somewhat limited in its direction and expression of individuality. Jane Eyre strongly adheres to the Victorian morality which was dominated by the Anglican party of the Church of England in which passion and emotion were kept concealed. Jane's.
Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre chronicles the growth of her titular character from girlhood to maturity, focusing on her journey from dependence on negative authority figures to both monetary and psychological independence, from confusion to a clear understanding of self, and from inequality to equality with those to whom she was formerly subject. Originally dependent on her Aunt Reed, Mr. Brocklehurst, and Mr. Rochester, she gains independence through her inheritance and teaching positions. Over the course of the novel, she awakens towards self-understanding, resulting in contentment and eventual happiness. She also achieves equality with the important masculine figures in her life, such as St. John Rivers and Mr. Rochester, gaining self-fulfillment as an independent, fully developed equal.
There are many stages throughout the book in which the reader can feel sympathy for Jane Eyre; these include when she is locked in the Red Room, when Helen Burns dies at Lowood, and when she and Mr. Rochester are married the first time.
After completing her education, Jane accepted a job as governess at Thornfield Hall. Jane eventually developed feeling for her employer, Mr. Rochester. Jane accepted Mr. Rochester's hand in marriage despite knowing despite knowing that he was currently married. Jane was lied to and after the discovery of Mr. Rochester's wife, Jane left Thornfield with little money and a broken heart.
The quote also illustrates the extreme measures he takes to ensure himself that he has control. St. John Rivers is quite different compared to Brocklehurst. Instead of becoming furious with those who challenge him, Rivers remains calm but becomes isolated with the offender. A major example of Rivers’ reaction comes at the end of the novel when Jane refuses him. This example is shown in this quote,“‘Good-night, St. John,’ said I. ‘Good-night, Jane,’ he replied calmly. ‘Then shake hands,’ I added. What a cold, loose touch he impressed on my fingers!”(417). This quote depicts Rivers as a man who stays eerily calm when angry, but is secretly holding in all his rage. Jane realizes this when she touches his hand, and she notices how cold and loose the touch was, symbolizing Rivers’ cold and distant feelings told Jane. Rochester on the other hand acts much more mature compared to Brocklehurst and Rivers when challenged. Instead of becoming enraged or distant, he simply takes responsibility for his actions in which he is being challenged for. One moment of his maturity comes during his wedding with Jane. Rochester’s responsible nature is shown in this quote, “‘Enough--all shall bolt out at once, like the bullet from the barrel.--Wood, close your book, and take off your surplice; John Green (to the clerk), leave the church: there will be no wedding to-day:’ the man obeyed.”(296). In this quote, Rochester understands that there is no point is arguing with the men who challenged him. He simply ends the wedding so he can take responsibility about Bertha. Mr. Brocklehurst, Mr. Rochester, and St. John Rivers have their different ways of coping with people challenging
Rochester has an insane wife locked away in his house. She denies Mr. Rochester’s request to become his mistress and finds her way to St. John and his sisters Mary and Diana’s doorstep after almost dying from hunger and dehydration due to her being homeless and poor. Jane refuses to become dependent on their family because she does not want history to repeat itself (with the Reeds and Lowood). She demonstrates this when she says “Show me how to work, or how to see work: that is all I now ask; then let me go, if it be but to meanest cottage-but till then, allow me to stay here: I dread another essay of the horrors of homeless destitution” (Brontë 353). Jane shows that she is old enough to handle herself and can become an independent woman if she has the resources to help her. All she really wants is a job and by getting a job and becoming wealthy after her Uncle John passed away, leaving her all of his money, Jane has truly become the person she has always wanted to be: an independent woman. With this confidence, Jane has the courage to refuse St. John when he proposes to her. Jane knows that if she is to marry it will be out of love not for service. In the text “I repeat: I freely consent to go with you as your fellow-missionary; but not as your wife; I cannot marry you and become part of you” (Brontë 415). Jane displays her strength, will
Jane’s perspective of love is based upon a mutual understanding and equality. Jane’s equality in a relationship is derived from her desire of independence. Jane reveals her need of independence in her relationship with Mr. Rochester when she told him she would always call him master but she would not be inferior to him. Haiyan Gao asserts in her article “Reflection On feminism in Jane Eyre,” “Jane loves Rochester with all her heart and Rochester’s status and wealth make him so high above for Jane to approach, yet she never feels herself inferior to Rochester though she is a humble family teacher.” It is also notable that Jane does not pursue a relationship with Mr. Rochester with the intention of gaining money. Her love is solely based on equality and independence and not status, power, or property. As Heidi Kelchner proclaims in her article “Jane Eyre,” “Although she ranks far below Rochester in social rank and wealth, she feels equal to him in soul, understanding his true nature.” Jane has pure intentions in her marriage with Mr. Rochester as she believes he is her equal and true love. Jane proves that she seeks true love once more when she rejects St. John Rivers marriage proposal. St. John had offered Jane an invitation to become his missionary wife in India. Jane acknowledges that he does not seek marriage for love but instead for religious purposes. Therefore, Jane proposes an alternate plan that allows her to serve as a single, independent missionary and co-worker of John. As Heidi Kelchner affirms Jane’s thoughts in her article “Jane Eyre,” “As St. John’s wife, she fears she would be restrained, and always checked forced to keep the fire of her nature continually low.” She would not be degraded to an object but rather wanted to stand as a strong independent woman. Jane would not accept the humiliated marriage to please St. John’s wishes. She would continue to look for true love based upon
In the novel ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte, Jane shows self-confidence throughout the novel by having a sense of self-worth, and a trust in God and her morals. Jane develops her self confidence through the capacity to learn and the relationships she experiences. Although an oppressed orphan, Jane is not totally with confidence, she believes in what is right and shows passion and spirit at an early age. Helen and Miss Temple equips Jane with education and Christians values that she takes on throughout her life. Jane later also blossoms in self confidence under Mr. Rochester’s love and her family, the Rivers and newly discovered wealth. Bronte uses dialogue and 1st person narration to give an insight of the characters for the reader to see what the characters are saying and suggest what they are really thinking, and it shows Jane’s self-confidence growing in every stage of her life.