Analysis of Jane Eyre Chapter Xxiii

Analysis of Jane Eyre Chapter XXIII

In the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, chapter twenty-three sees a climax of previous events in the form of Mr Rochester proposing matrimony to Jane. This event was built up in previous chapters through Jane’s developing love for him that she kept concealed due to their differing classes and the fact that she was led to believe by Rochester that he was to wed Blanche Ingram. Within the passage, a variety of themes are explored by Brontë regarding Mr Rochester’s proposal to Jane; naturally, the main being love and its many sides. A number of religious elements are implemented through a biblical lexical field and a great deal of imagery in order to convey the love between them. For example when Rochester describes “a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly and inextricably knotted to a similar string situated in the corresponding quarters of your little frame.” This sentence bears semantic connotations and is reminiscent of the book of Genesis in which God forms Eve from the left rib of Adam in his sleep. This reference conveys that Rochester believes himself to be akin to Jane and that his desire to be with her is justified in the eyes of God. Another reference such as this is made with the use of the phrase “face to face”, a nod to the book of Corinthians. Jane mentions the pair being stood at “God’s feet” and says “equal as we are”. This mention of final judgement shows that Jane believes herself to be on par with Mr Rochester, and the fact that he is not perfect contributes to her love for him. A predominant contextual factor in these phrases is that forthright declarations of feelings and views such as these were frowned upon at the time as women were not permitted to be so opinionated. The noun “water”, paired with the adjective “living“, give it biblical context as a staple of life, suggesting that the pair need one another as well as the fact that Jane cannot bear leaving Rochester for a new situation. This links in with the fact that deception is an underlying theme throughout the proposal. Irony is used to convey this when Jane describes Rochester as a “married man” referring to his upcoming wedding to Blanche Ingram. This nods towards Rochester’s secret marriage to Bertha Mason which he is hiding from her. This is also highlighted when Jane says that Rochester’s “bride stands between us” again referring to Blanche. Rochester even has the nerve to ask Jane “Am I a liar in your eyes?” even though he is actually deceiving her despite it being justified. The theme of redemption can be seen when Rochester says “Make my happiness - I will make yours. Rochester believes that with Jane at his side, he can gain atonement for his troubled past; more specifically, his marriage to the insane Bertha Mason. The characterisation of Jane and Rochester by Brontë deeply shapes the light in which the reader perceives their relationship. Jane continues to be extremely outright with how she feels, a trait typical of her character, seen prominently during her childhood at Gateshead, of which caused her much conflict with her aunt. This manifests itself in her tripling of the adjectives “poor, obscure and plain” of which she says she is not, whereas this was the typical view of governesses. Jane sees it necessary to break the constraints of how she is perceived and this is part of the reason why Rochester loves her to such a great extent. Since main aspect of Jane’s character is visible in her efforts to assert her own identity within a patriarchal society expressed in love, independence, and forgiveness. Mr Rochester is portrayed as a classic Byronic hero in that he is idealised but flawed. His description in this passage very much fits the standard traits of such a character with adjectives such as “strong” and “strange” used to describe his features and eyes respectively. His flawed side is brought up in the metaphor “bleeding inwardly” of which he uses to describe his feelings if Jane were to go to Ireland. He could be referring to the fact that the secret marriage he harbours is causing him much anguish and he needs Jane to help him improve himself. He uses the abstract noun “solace” which gives a sense of the fact that his love for Jane gives him consolation in a time of distress. This draws parallels to the fact that Jane helped him when he fell from Mesrour and when he required her shoulder to lean on when he heard the news of Mr Mason’s arrival at Thornfield Hall. It is interesting to note that despite his deeply flawed nature, Rochester seeks to draw Jane closer rather than push her away, a philosophical attribute sometimes described with the analogy of the “Hedgehog’s Dilemma”. It describes a situation in which two hedgehogs seek to become close to one another in order to share their heat during cold weather. However, once accomplished, they cannot avoid hurting one another with their sharp quills. They must step away from one another. Though a close reciprocal relationship is desired, this may not occur for reasons which they cannot avoid or the fact that one may damage another. Rochester defies said analogy in that if he draws a good natured person such as Jane to himself, his flawed side can gain redemption from his marriage to Bertha Mason. A strong atmosphere and mood is built up and maintained throughout the passage through the use of various devices. At certain points, nightingale song is mentioned. The sentences “Jane, do you hear that nightingale singing in the wood?” and “The nightingale’s song was then the only voice of the hour” create a melancholy tone as at this point as Jane still believes Rochester to be marrying Blanche Ingram and herself to be leaving for Ireland to take up a new situation at Biternutt Lodge. The song of a nightingale in particular was chosen owing to the fact that in many cultures it is a poignant symbol of mournfulness and departure, particularly in the East. This is also highlighted with the use of the phrase “away - away”, a reference to John Keats Ode to a Nightingale, a poem in which a similar tone can be found. From this, the reader can immediately tell that the prospect of leaving Rochester would tear Jane apart inside as she is so deeply in love with him. An atmosphere being built up by nature is a common feature of a gothic novel such as this. Other gothic elements manifest themselves in the use of foreshadowing. At the end of the chapter, the fact that one of the trees in the orchard “had been struck by lightning in the night, and half of it split away” may represent the fact that Rochester and Jane cannot be wed owing to his current marriage as this would be bigamy. Pathetic fallacy, another device popular in gothic novels, is implemented to some extent. “A livid, vivid spark crept out of a cloud at which I was looking”. This does not highlight the current mood, but acts as a harbinger of the revelation of Rochester’s secret marriage and the deception buried deep within their love. The personification of the natural environment also adds a gothic atmosphere. “And what ailed the chestnut tree? It writhed and groaned.” This is quite bizarre to imagine and also nods to later events. Several cryptic comments made by Rochester show that in loving Jane, he gains atonement for his marriage to Bertha. “God pardon me” and “Make my happiness” suggest this. To Jane, these comments sound like romantic phrases but really have an underlying meaning that even add to the sense of mystery found in gothic novels. Elements reminiscent of a traditional fairytale can be seen in Jane’s disbelief at Rochester’s proposal. “What, me!”. This follows the classic notion of a rich man marrying a poor woman and giving her a new life, popular in classic children’s tales. This emphasises the unheard of notion that a man of status would marry his governess. The dialogue, in particular that spoken by Rochester builds up a romantic atmosphere with phrases such as “you torture me” and “I have her, and will hold her.” Changes in language since the Victorian era can clearly be seen in Brontë’s style. Archaic words such as “ejaculated” are used to show the manner in which speech is given. This word is not usually used in this context today. As opposed to “hurry”, “hasten” is used, a word that is rarely found in contemporary speech or texts. As well as this “akin” is fairly archaic and rarely seen today, replaced with “like” and “similar”. Overall, the passage brings together the previous chapters in the Thornfield arc of the story in an emotionally charged climax, but does it in a way that still leaves unanswered questions to the reader regarding the secrets Mr Rochester hides. The love between the two seems to be rooted to some extent in their mutual way of thinking though Jane does disagree with some of Rochester’s beliefs, but more so in the damaged aspect of Rochester’s character. Jane loves him because he isn’t perfect and he loves Jane to atone himself for his marriage to Bertha and regain happiness while also providing her with happiness also. As well as this, he favours the content of her character as it is so unique to that of which he is used to; the shallow women of high society.