Jane Eye Read Along Chapters 24 - 28

Welcome to the discussion for weeks reading chapters 24 – 28 of the Jane Eyre Read Along. The questions and my responses are below.

At several points both Rochester and Jane refer to each other in terms of mythical creatures and magic. Why do you think that they do this?

As I have commented before, I think that in Jane’s character, and the relationship between her and Rochester, Bronte is trying to get at something fundamental about the Universe. The strong Christian nature inherent in the author’s worldview is obvious. However, the allusions to magic, mythical creatures and general pagan symbols seems to round these views out with a connection to nature as one of the building blocks of reality. This view of nature seems to include some of the darker, or at least grittier, aspects of life.

In Chapter 24 when Rochester jokingly compares Jane to a Turkish slave girl Jane becomes indignant and replies sharply to him. Does this say anything about Jane’s personality and the relationship between the two?

There is something of a conflict between Jane and Rochester. They love one another, but both have enormously strong wills. At first it appears that Rochester is stronger. This may only be appearance however. Here Jane, is asserting herself in opposition to Rochester’s perceived dominance. Though at times seeming to be quite and passive, Jane has an enormously strong sense of self. Such a quip cannot remain unanswered and Jane is making it clear that morally and intellectually, this attitude will have no place in their relationship.




At one point, after gazing at the damaged horse-chestnut tree, Jane gathers apples in the garden and remarks “ I employed myself in dividing the ripe from the unripe” Do you think that there is any significance to this?

Whenever women and apples appear in literature, one is of course reminded of the story of Eve and temptation. I think that Jane is picking and choosing here in more ways then one. The apples seem to symbolize all that Rochester is bringing to her life. However, it seems that Rochester maybe tempting Jane into some things that she may wish to avoid. Perhaps the choosing of the apples is Jane sorting out the good from the bad. After the dramatic rupture between the two, this independence and selection will become vitally important for Jane.




In chapter 25 Jane relates to Rochester several of her dreams. What do you make of them?

One of Jane’s dreams involves a dark and stormy night as well as a winding road. Jane describes some kind of barrier between herself and Rochester. Clearly Jane has had a tumultuous life up until now. Furthermore the odd occurrences surrounding Thornfield and Rochester can also be described as tempestuous. Perhaps this is reflected in the weather and the road. We now know that there is indeed a huge barrier between Jane and Rochester. Even at this point in the narrative, there are signs of a problem looming.  It is not surprising that Jane  expresses all this in her unconscious sleep.

Later Jane dreams that Thornfield has become a ruin. This may be a refection of the manor’s dark secrets that will soon be revealed. It may also be foreshadowing of what will come in the future.





Rochester is revealed to have perpetrated a major deception upon Jane in regards to his first marriage. What does this say about Rochester?

Obviously this is the ultimate example of Rochester’s tendency to deceive in order to get his way. However, one must keep in mind that Rochester has fallen deeply in love with Jane. He is in a terrible position as he is burdened and tied to a malicious madwomen. One can understand his desire to keep facts a secret as these facts have the potential to separate him from Jane. It is natural for Rochester to want to escape his past to be with the women he loves. The only way that he believes he can do that is to keep his terrible secret.




What do you think of Jane’s decision to flee from Rochester?

My answer to this question gets me into tricky territory. The reason for this is that if I apply Twenty First Century values and morality to the question I will not be really be getting at what I intend to get at. Furthermore my answer will be of limited use.

Jane’s decision to flee should be viewed in the context of the values that are inherent  in the society that she lives in. An alternate course, one in which she stays with Rochester, must be analyzed as such.

With this said, a reality where Jane had decided to stay with Rochester seems to be presented in the text as a viable alternative. Thus my conclusion is that I cannot assess Jane’s action exactly as I would assess the actions of a person who is my contemporary. However I can view a choice to stay with Rochester as a realistic option.

Second, I think that there are a lot of potential reasons why a person might flee at this point, that simply do not come into play with Jane. One in particular would be the desire to get a way from a man who has been so deceptive. This however, does not seem to be a primary consideration here.

Jane’s actions, not only in fleeing, but in enduring terrible emotional and physical hardships (I am getting a little ahead in the book here) cause monumental pain. The pain not only affects her, but it devastates Rochester.  Jane’s flight was a supreme act of resolve. Jane makes a decision based on her morality and sticks with it with iron determination. For me, this enormously difficult and momentous course of action, based upon what seems like an abstract principal, places Jane above the typical strong willed character. I cannot overstate the dramatic effect of Jane’s decision and the impression it gives concerning her persona. This course of action seems to be one of pure and indomitable WILL. Furthermore it is an act of will directly in opposition to the very formidable will of Rochester. I would argue that it moves her into the realm of a titanic symbolic and literary character.

Generally I believe that a serious analysis of a work of literature should not be about one’s own values and morality. However as this is book blogging and not serious literary analysis, I would contend that how one relates to character’s decisions is within the realm interesting things worth discussing. I am just and sharing and pondering opinions here. Thus,  I will take a dive into some personal feelings about Jane’s flight here.

Once again, if I assume, even within her culture, that Jane could have taken the alternate choice, I find her decision disquieting. For me, genuine personal relationships are of the highest value. Jane seemingly throws away an extremely precious personal relationship based upon a very abstract moral code.

A relationship with a person such as Jane would terrify me. She has more then enough substance and character to attract strong and positive feelings. Yet she would put a very intangible, and one might say, at least from my point of view, less then rational, value system above personal feelings and vital considerations. Furthermore she is willing to cause enormous emotional harm to someone that she loves. At one point she actually observes,

I turned my prayer to thanksgiving: the Source of Life was also the Saviour of spirits.   Mr. Rochester was safe; he was God’s, and by God would he be guarded.  

While thematically consistent with the story and I believe Bronte’s worldview, the above seems to be a horrifying abrogation of responsibility owed to a loved one.

These are just observations. Contrary to objecting to this ploy development, all this adds to my sense if monumental nature of the as a literary creation known as Jane Eyre. 

Of course, something in these last ruminations on my part may be my Twenty - First Century Secular Humanist value system kicking in. Thus, perhaps one could argue be going to far here. However my thoughts here seem to be in line with Rochester’s reasoning, so I do think that it is a valid way of looking at the story.

*I am adding an addendum to the above based on the fact I believe that I was unclear. As I mentioned, I do value personnel relationships extremely highly. Perhaps the highest valued personal relationship for me is marriage. In the case of the marriage between Rochester and Bertha, I feel that the marriage relationship was abrogated by Bertha, thus I mostly disregarded it in my answer above. 

In light of this addendum, some of the below comments by my visitors  may seem not seem to make perfect sense.  This is the result of my lack of clarity and not the folks who commented below. 

Next week will  be reading chapters 29 – 33. Our questions are below. As always, answer as many or as few of them as you wish.

St. John Rivers makes the following very blunt statement about Jane, in Chapter 29: "Ill or well, she would always be plain. The grace and harmony of beauty are quite wanting in those features." What does this tell you about him, especially in light of subsequent chapters?

Do you think the fact that St. John and his sisters turn out to be Jane's cousins much too coincidental?

  

Why does Bronte give Jane three more cousins, and precisely two females and one male, as with her Gateshead cousins?

Why do you think Jane tries to convince St. John to marry Rosamond, and give up his dream of becoming a missionary?

Do you think the fact that Jane is now an heiress something that seems too 'providential', and thus, not realistic and believable?

Bronte dedicates many pages to describing St. John's personality. Why do you think she does this? 

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Week 7: Nov. 3rd

Reading: Chapters 29 - 33

Discussion Questions: Chapters 24 - 28

Discussion Question for Next Week:

A Night's Dream of Books

Week 8: Nov. 10th

Reading: Chapters 34 - 38

Discussion Questions: Chapters 29 - 33

Discussion Questions for Next Week:

Babbling Books

Week 9: Nov. 17th

Discussion Questions, Chapters 34 - 38

Week 9: Nov. 21st

Book Reviews Posted