Chapter 38 (last one!)

Summary

Jane and Mr. Rochester have a small, quiet wedding. Jane tells John and Mary, the servants, about it and they have amusingly calm reactions. She also writes to Diana and Mary to explain the marriage and her history with Mr. Rochester. Her letter to St. John goes ignored for six months, but he eventually writes to her about everyday topics. Adèle’s school is much too harsh, so Jane puts her in a more balanced school. Present-day Jane tells us that Adèle’s education erases her childhood superficiality and flightiness, and she has grown into a sensible and sweet girl.

Ten years later, Jane updates the reader on her life. She and Mr. Rochester are very content together, because they are extremely close and their personalities mesh perfectly. Fortunately, Mr. Rochester eventually gains back the sight in one of his eyes after visiting a doctor, and now he can see for himself that their first-born boy has his brilliant, flashing, black eyes. In addition, Diana and Mary are happily married, and St. John is a missionary in India like he always wanted. St. John’s latest letter to Jane indicates that he is going to die soon, and he awaits heaven eagerly.

Reaction

Happy ending! It was actually a perfect ending to their love story. Nothing particularly grand, just a quiet, happy life. And Jane is sure that she has a marriage of equality, and I’m going to trust her on that one. St. John…dies happily? Okay. So he was just waiting for death? I’m even more relieved that Jane ended up with Mr. Rochester.

Chapter 37

Summary

Ferndean is very depressing and gloomy looking, all dark and desolate. Jane watches the house from the grounds, nervous and excited at the prospect of seeing Mr. Rochester again. It happens sooner that she expects. Suddenly, someone comes out of the house. It’s Mr. Rochester! He hides the arm with the missing hand in his jacket. He looks desperate and miserable. He stands out in the rain, ignoring John, the servant, when he offers to help him back inside. Jane lets herself in, and greets the astonished servants. They are delighted to see her again. Jane decides to surprise Mr. Rochester. She enters his room, and Pilot recognizes her. Mr. Rochester soon realizes it’s her, but at first thinks he’s imagining her voice and presence. She assures him she’s real, and tells him about her fortune. Jane seems to bring life back into Mr. Rochester, though he still considers himself a ruin. Jane eventually leaves for the night after combing Mr. Rochester’s wild hair.

The next morning, Jane and Mr. Rochester eat together. They then go outside and she describes the beautiful day for him. She sits on his knee and tells him what she did after she left Thornfield. Mr. Rochester assures her that he would not have forced her to stay, and would have given her money so she wouldn’t have to be destitute. Then he gets all jealous of St. John, until Jane tells him how cold and harsh St. John actually is. Mr. Rochester asks Jane to marry him, and she accepts. Mr. Rochester tells Jane that recently, he has truly repented of his immorality in attempting bigamy. Now he thanks God for tempering judgment with mercy. Then, the supernatural part of the novel is revealed. Remember a few chapters ago when Jane heard Mr. Rochester’s voice call her? He really did call her aloud that night. And he heard her reply but thought he dreamed it. Jane doesn’t tell him that she heard him and replied, however, because she is afraid of how Mr. Rochester will react to the supernatural in his fragile emotional state. The couple walks to the mansion together.

Reaction

            This chapter is like chocolate cake after the dreary oatmeal chapters of St. John (I don’t like oatmeal). The best part about Jane and Mr. Rochester’s reunion is that they so easily fall back into their old banter. It is very refreshing after St. John’s ridiculous behavior, even though Mr. Rochester does have to ask Jane if she really is a human. She assures him that she is, and then calls him a brownie when he calls her a fairy. More seriously, Jane’s uneasiness about their class difference and Mr. Rochester’s penchant for dressing Jane up are alleviated. Jane now is financially independent, and Mr. Rochester realizes that “fine clothes and jewels [are] not worth a fillip” (518). The ‘they get together’ chapter definitely meets my expectations. 

Chapter 36

Summary

In the morning, Jane prepares to leave Moor House for four days, at least. She plans to go to Thornfield and find out what has become of Mr. Rochester. She hopes he will still be there. Mary and Diana respect Jane’s privacy by not asking questions, and bid her goodbye. Jane takes the same coach to Thornfield as she did when running away from Mr. Rochester. The coach drops her off at a nearby inn, and Jane walks to Thornfield, feeling nervous and excited. When she gets there, however, oh horror! Thornfield has been burned to the ground, and is clearly empty. Jane goes back to the inn and inquires about what happened. She learns that Bertha Mason set Thornfield on fire last autumn, and fell to her death. Mr. Rochester is blind and missing a hand, because he tried to save everyone and a beam fell on him as he exited the burning house. Mr. Rochester is at Ferndean, his other manor, with just two servants. Jane offers to pay double the normal fare if the guy can drive her to Ferndean before dark.

Reaction

Jane is going to see Mr. Rochester soon! And he’s disabled, poor guy. I absolutely loved Jane coming back to Thornfield being compared to a man trying to surprise his sleeping lover. The guy at the Rochester Arms trying to tell Jane about her own story is pretty amusing. Also, Mr. Rochester no longer has a wife, so he and Jane technically can marry now. Hey, just saying.

Chapter 35

Summary

St. John still teaches Jane Hindustani, but is exceedingly cold and detached. Also, he’s nicer to his sisters in contrast just to show Jane what she’s missing. She again asks him to forgive her, and he again claims he already has. He once more asks her to marry him, and she once more refuses. He is very angry, but is suppressing it. He says that he will pray for her. When Jane goes inside the house, Diana is there. She saw Jane and St. John’s argument, and wants to know about it. When Jane fills her in, she too is horrified at the loveless marriage he proposed. Diana agrees that Jane should not marry St. John. Jane sums it up, “He forgets, pitilessly, the feelings and claims of little people, in pursuing his own large views. It is better, therefore, for insignificant to stay out of his way lest, in his progress, he should trample them down” (483).

That night, St. John reads an inspiring passage out of the Bible. He is so sincere and reverent that Jane is touched, and when he asks her to marry him again after, she almost agrees out of duty. Suddenly, she hears a voice cry out in the night. It’s the voice of Mr. Rochester! He sounds urgent and despairing. Jane, troubled and excited, tells St. John she needs to be alone. He leaves without any questions. In her bed, Jane makes up her mind to do – something – tomorrow.

Reaction

Wow! A touch of the supernatural? I’m not quite sure how Jane heard Mr. Rochester’s voice, but this is getting interesting indeed. Hopefully, the voice means Mr. Rochester is alive. St. John, however awful he might be, is a very sincere, devout, and good Christian. He is generous and eloquent, and he speaks so authoritatively about God’s will that Jane is swayed. I’m so glad Jane does not get carried away and agree to marry him. When I reread the mysterious voice part, I realized that while Jane is running outside and replying to the voice aloud, St. John is still there, watching her talk to the sky, probably very confused. That mental image just cracks me up. He likely was so obedient when Jane told him to leave because he was afraid she was possessed or something.

Chapter 34

Summary

Jane bids a fond goodbye to her pupils, and happily leaves for Moor House, planning to renovate it with Hannah’s help, in time for Diana and Mary’s arrival. St. John disapproves of this plan, because he thinks it frivolous, but Jane goes ahead anyway. When she is done, she shows it to him, but while he claims it is an improvement, he does not seem appreciative in the least, and goes right back to studying after glancing through the rooms. Jane is hurt, and starts to think that St. John really is as cold and harsh as he says he is. In contrast, Diana and Mary arrive joyfully and love the improvements made to the house. The girls have a good time, talking and laughing. Jane notices that St. John is pleased that his sisters are back, but does not like to see them so high-spirited and laughing. Soon, it is Christmas. The girls have a great time, and are full of holiday cheer. St. John, however, is the scrooge of the bunch. He does not like their lightheartedness, and would rather see everyone occupied in useful activities. In addition, he does not seem bothered when he learns that Rosamond is engaged to another man, and tells Jane that he has won the battle against temptation.

More scarily, St. John begins to gain power over Jane. He encourages her to make sacrifices and work hard, and she does not dare complain when she is over-taxed. He also asks her to switch from studying German to Hindustani, since he is studying it as a preparation to go to India. Jane agrees, though she does not want to switch. Jane also learns that he is upset when she laughs or talks about trivial matters. In his presence, she feels compelled to engage in only serious conversation and serious activities. Jane wants to obey him, but she feels as though she is changing her own nature to conform to his.

Meanwhile, Jane is still worried about Mr. Rochester, and writes to Mrs. Fairfax multiple times, asking how he is. However, she gets no reply, and grows despondent. To make it worse, in the spring, St. John increases the pace of Jane’s Hindustani lessons, giving her no respite.

One day, he asks her to go for a walk with him. She obeys, and they walk in silence. He presently insists that they must rest. They sit there quietly for half an hour. Then, he tells her that he wants her to go to India with him – and here’s the kicker – as his wife! Jane says that she will go with him, but not as his wife. She decides that she cannot marry a man who thinks of her as a tool instead of loving her. St. John says that she must chose the right path, and leaves her. That night, she kisses his sisters goodnight, but ignores Jane. She runs out after him, and asks him to forgive her. He says, very coldly, that there is nothing to forgive, and goes to bed.

Reaction

This chapter is all about St. John, and how he slowly gains influence over Jane, almost withering her spirit. All my instincts tell me Jane should get out of there, pronto! St. John is such a Debbie Downer. The contrast between St. John and Mr. Rochester is startling. Jane is finally content and St. John tries to take it away. On the other hand, Mr. Rochester really tried to make Jane happy, whatever else you might say about his methods. 

Chapter 33

Summary

It is wild and stormy outside. Jane gets a nice fire going, and curls up with a book to wait it out. Suddenly, St. John enters her house. He takes his frozen cloak off, and sits down by the fire. He seems very broody, and there commences a rather hilarious conversation in which Jane tries to make small talk, and St. John is deeply distracted and fails to reply in more than single words. Jane decides that he if doesn’t want to talk, and just traveled in the snow to sit there, she will ignore him. She tries to read her book, but he acts so very mysterious that it is hard to concentrate. And then, as suddenly as he entered her house, St. John finally begins to speak.

Apparently, the piece of paper that he had so dramatically stolen the day before has Jane’s signature on it, and he found out her real name. He was surprised because people are looking for Jane, and she’s in the local papers. She is sought after because when her uncle John died, he gave her, instead of her cousins, all his money. Sounds familiar? Yep, he’s the same uncle that the Rivers siblings didn’t get any money from. And yes, that means that Jane is their cousin. Oh coincidence! Since St. John was filled in on her complete back-story by the officials looking for Jane, she asks him about Mr. Rochester. Unfortunately, no one knows what how he’s doing. Jane is delighted to have a family, and decides to divide up her new-found fortune with them. The Rivers siblings protest, but eventually give in. Now Jane, Diana, Mary, and St. John each have five thousand pounds.

Reaction

This is the happiest chapter in the book so far. It’s great to see Jane to joyful and carefree as she is when she finds out that she’s related to Diana, Mary, and St. John. Now Jane is wealthy, and has cousins that she loves. This is a very pleasant chapter, but I still wonder what happened to Mr. Rochester. Also, I wonder why Jane never locks her door, since St. John has come in twice without knocking.

Chapter 32

Summary

Jane and her pupils soon warm up to each other, and Jane soon finds some very intelligent, academically inclined young ladies. She makes good friends with several of them, and visits their families. She becomes a popular figure in the village due to her consideration and kindness. Jane is happy, but at night, she has torturous dreams of Mr. Rochester. Rosamond visits the school often during the day, often when St. John is there, teaching the girls the catechism. She visibly affects him, no matter how hard he tries not to show it. After hanging out with Rosamond for a while, Jane thinks that she is very charming and sweet, if a bit frivolous. Rosamond asks Jane to paint a picture of her, and Jane has a delightful time painting such a beautiful model. While she is just adding the finishing touches on the painting, St. John stops by. He starts some small talk, then suddenly looks startled when he sees the painting. Jane decides to be as blunt as only she can be, and ask him why he does not marry Rosamond.

St. John, because he is weird, decides to imagine what might be for precisely 15 minutes. In that time, he looks happy and mumbles about being married to Rosamond. When the time is up, however, he puts all thoughts of her out of his head. He says that he cannot give up his dream of being a missionary, and he know that Rosamond would make a terrible missionary’s wife, so he must try to stop loving her. He is also surprised at Jane’s boldness, because his iciness is usually so off-putting that most people do not confront him as Jane does.  As he is about to leave, he suddenly seems to notice something on a piece of scrap paper on Jane’s desk. He tears off a piece from the paper, and leaves. Jane is rightfully astonished, but she can’t find anything special about what is left of the paper.

Reaction

Well! St. John is unintentionally hilarious. His reactions to Rosamond’s presence are kind of over-the-top, because he actually trembles. The poor children he is talking to must think he’s insane. Also, he actually takes out a watch to measure out the 15 minutes of daydreaming time. And then he doesn’t explain why he dramatically stole a tiny piece of paper from Jane. I really don’t know what to make of that man. 

Chapter 31

Summary

Jane’s new house is simple and small, yet neat and clean. Her pupils seem very rustic and ignorant, but she hopes she will get to know them better. She cannot help but feel disappointed that she is working with such dull seeming girls, and is ashamed that she feels that way since she was begging for food a month ago. Jane also is agonized thinking of Mr. Rochester, but again affirms that she is glad she chose the moral path. St. John comes along, and asks her how she is doing. Jane replies that she is content enough. Suddenly, an incredibly beautiful woman comes along. It’s Miss Oliver, the rich heiress that provides for the school. She asks Jane how she likes everything, and invites St. John to visit her house. St. John has a peculiar reaction to Rosamond Oliver. He obviously is in love with her, and has to make a great effort not to accept her invitation. Very short chapter!

Reaction

The scene with Rosamond and St. John consists of her trying to make him pay attention to her, and him desperately avoiding doing so. However, he seems so tortured that what could have been a funny scene is rendered tragic. Jane’s feeling of degradation at working with such ignorant, poor people is very human, but I hope her compassion shines through and she changes her mind. 

Chapter 30

Summary

Jane soon loves Moor House, and finds that Mary and Diana are indeed kindred spirits. They get along perfectly. Mary and Diana are better read than Jane is, but Jane is the best at drawing. They all learn from each other and study together, and overall have a pleasant, beneficial relationship. Diana is the leader of the trio, and the Rivers sisters are more talkative than Jane is. St John is much more reserved than his sisters are. He is blameless in his life and habits, but does not seem content. He rigorously follows his religious duties, but takes no pleasure from them. Jane decides to ask him if he has found a job for her, since he does not bring it up for a month. He avoids telling her at first, instead talking about how it is not very grand, and Jane may be disappointed. The position is teaching poor village girls in nearby Morton. Jane accepts happily. St. John is pleased, but predicts that she will leave soon for want of adventure. She replies that she has no ambition. St. John freaks out at the word ‘ambitious,’ and nervously asks how she knew he was so, though Jane was talking about herself. Diana tells Jane that St. John is as “inexorable as death” (412). Later, a letter comes to St. John, saying that the Rivers siblings’ uncle John is dead. They do not mourn, since they never knew him. They are disappointed that he gave all his wealth to their other relative who is as close to him as they are, though giving them even a little money would allow them to do a lot of good. Over the next few weeks, Moor House empties. Mary and Diana leave to be governesses, Jane leaves for the schoolhouse to teach, and St. John and Hannah leave for the parsonage.

Reaction

This chapter was fairly short and simple, as Jane recuperates in Moor House, and then gets ready to start her new job as a teacher. However, it would have been a lot shorter if St. John wouldn’t talk so much. To think I assumed he is a laconic man! When Jane asks about her new job, he rambles for three pages before he finally spits it out. 

Chapter 29

Summary

For three days afterwards, Jane lies in bed in a kind of stupor – she hears visitors coming in but cannot respond or get up. From their conversations, Jane knows that Mary and Diana do not regret their hospitality, and St. John says that Jane needs rest, but a doctor is not required. On the fourth day, Jane finally gets up, and dresses slowly and painfully. She goes down to the kitchen, where Hannah greets her. Hannah asks Jane if she is a beggar. Jane articulately and logically explains to Hannah that she was wrong to make assumptions about Jane due to her poverty, and wrong to shut Jane out in the rain. Jane totally owns Hannah in their conversation, pointing out that the old servant was thoroughly prejudiced and mistaken. Hannah gamely admits her mistake, all is forgiven, and they part as friends.

Later, Jane talks with Mary and Diana. Diana seems to take charge, and Jane is happy to let her be the leader. Mary is gentle and sincere, but slightly more introverted. St. John is exceedingly cold. He does not say a word to Jane, and then when he finally does talk, asks her painful questions, such as her marital status, and her previous residence. Jane decides to tell them part of her story. She explains her life in brief. She does not tell them about Mr. Rochester, the abortive wedding, and the locations she stayed at previously. She only says that she had to leave her position as a governess abruptly. Jane admits she is using a fake last name, but does not tell them her real one nonetheless.  After Jane’s tale, St. John agrees to help her get a job.

Reaction

I can completely understand Jane’s incredulity and gratefulness towards St. John, Mary, and Diana. Jane’s desperate search for food and shelter was one of those situations where everyone seems unsympathetic and selfish, until one person steps up and restores faith in humanity. Mary and Diana seem like very sweet, intelligent girls who Jane will get along with famously. St. John is another story. Yes, he saved Jane’s life. Nevertheless, he also created one of the most awkward moments in the book by not even acknowledging Jane’s presence while they wait for the ladies to bring tea. He just sits there and reads as Jane sits there and watches him. Later, however, he continues to help her by promising to get her employment somewhere. Strange guy. 

Chapter 28

Summary

The coachman leaves Jane at Whitcross. Unfortunately, Whitcross is hardly a place where she can find work or food. It is a glorified signpost, with the nearest town 10 miles away. Jane suddenly realizes that she left all her possessions on the coach. Now she has no money, food, or acquaintances to help her. She spends the night in the woods, where she is comfortable enough, but suffering from a broken heart. In the morning, she is very hungry, having eaten only a roll the day before. She walks for hours, and finds a nearby hamlet. Tired and hungry, she enters a bread shop to ask for a piece of bread in exchange for her handkerchief or gloves. However, when she sees the lady at the front desk, she cannot bring herself to beg. Instead, she inquires about job offers in the hamlet. The woman is not rude, but unhelpful, and Jane leaves without food or employment. She asks for a job as a servant at a nearby house, but is refused, albeit gently. She goes to the parsonage, but the clergyman, who is supposed to help the destitute, is out of town for a fortnight. The only time she eats that day is when a kind farmer gives her a piece of bread. The night is cold and wet. The next day, Jane manages to eat some porridge a little girl was about to give to the pigs. The rest of the day is spent in looking for a job and being rejected everywhere. In the evening, Jane’s strength is failing her and she is starving. Suddenly, she sees a light that, on further investigation, comes from a house. She goes near the house and watches the occupants through a window.

An elderly servant woman, Hannah, is knitting. Two sophisticated young ladies are studying German by the fireside. Apparently, they are waiting for someone named St. John. The two women are named Mary and Diana, and Jane feels as though they are kindred spirits. Eventually, she knocks on the door and Hannah answers. The servant seems suspicious of Jane’s request to talk to Mary and Diana, and thinks Jane’s despair is merely a charade. Hannah seems to think it is a plot to steal something or harm the ladies, ands shuts Jane out. Poor Jane realizes that she is going to die of starvation and cold as the rain beats down on her. She says aloud that she must try to accept death as God wants it, and a voice answers her. It is St. John, who has come home, and he allows her to be brought in. The ladies, full of compassion, give her some food. She says her name is Jane Elliot, since she is trying to avoid discovery. She is given a warm, dry bed, and sinks into it, thanking God gratefully.

Reaction

Jane’s desperate situation is painful to read, because she has nowhere to turn and is met with suspicion everywhere she goes. It paints the sad situation of mistrust; where in the name of self-preservation, people forget their compassion. In addition, pride gets in the way of need until hunger overtakes Jane and she resorts to begging. It is fortunate that St. John saw the exchange between Hannah and Jane, because Jane would probably have died overnight from exhaustion, hunger, and cold. Hannah is the new Grace Poole in that she is the new woman-who-talks-strangely. She says words like “childer,” “bairn,” and “knawn’t” (384-5). Better than ‘ware,’ at least!

Chapter 27

Summary

Jane, in her room, suddenly realizes that she must leave Thornfield. She cannot bear to think of leaving Mr. Rochester, but she knows that it must be done if she wants to maintain her self-respect. She feels worse when she realizes that although she has been in her room all day, no one came to check on her. She stumbles out of her room, and Mr. Rochester, who is waiting outside, catches her. He is concerned by her silence; he expected an outburst of anger and misery. He apologizes sincerely for hurting her so badly, and she secretly forgives him on the spot. He carries her down to the library when she grows faint from distress, and revives her with wine and food. He then tries to kiss her, and she pushes him away. He is upset by the rejection, and accuses Jane of not caring about him now that she cannot marry him. He then forgets her rebuff and goes on to talk of them moving away to live together, Grace Poole being paid to stay with Bertha Mason, and Adèle going to school. He overrides her protests that she will not be his mistress, and plans their happy future together. When he realizes that she is serious about leaving, he tries to dissuade her, but she stands firm. She then retires to her room and Mr. Rochester asks her to reconsider during the night. He warns her that he will despair if she leaves.

Jane decides to leave Thornfield at night. After packing her small amount of money and some food, she silently exits the house, mentally saying goodbye to her friends and Mr. Rochester – who is awake, pacing in his room. Then, she sets down the road to nowhere in particular, just away. As she travels, she is so full of despair that she falls down once, but picks herself back off the ground (metaphor!). She sees a carriage, and asks for a ride to wherever it is going. The coachman accepts her meager amount of money though it is not enough, and they set off. On the way, Jane cries her heart out, and present-day Jane, narrating, hopes that we readers never undergo the amount of pain she felt at that time

Reaction

On one hand, I think it is ridiculous that Mr. Rochester cannot divorce Bertha Mason and marry Jane, so I sympathize with Mr. Rochester’s plan to ignore his current marriage. However, Jane is so incredibly strong in this chapter that I am amazed. Her sense of self-worth and the amount of character it takes to run away from the love of her life and her only friends is very admirable. This chapter is crucial in Jane’s development as a person, and she proves to be resolute, determined, and very adept at making decisions. I’m somewhat surprised, however, that Jane has no plan for where she is going.

Chapter 26

Summary

It’s the day of the wedding! In the morning, Sophie helps Jane get into her dress and veil. Jane, looking at her reflection, appears like a stranger to herself. Then Jane hurries down to breakfast and eats quickly. Mr. Rochester makes sure everything is packed so the couple can leave for Europe right after the wedding, and then rushes Jane to church. He looks grim, and has an unaccountable sense of urgency about him. When they get to church, Jane notices two men in the shadows, watching. The wedding starts without a hitch, when one of the men steps forward and declares that the wedding cannot go on, because Mr. Rochester already has a wife. Mr. Rochester dares him to prove it, and the other man steps forward. It’s Mason! He says that as of three months ago, his sister, Bertha Mason, was living and married to Mr. Rochester. When an official document is produced, Mr. Rochester gives in, and tells everyone that it is true, and the wedding cannot proceed. He explains that his wife is kept a secret at Thornfield because she is insane. He married her fifteen years ago. He also announces that Jane had no knowledge of this, and that she is innocent.

Jane is in shock, and she follows him blindly when he leads her, the clergyman, Mason, and the guy who stopped the wedding to the house to show them his wife. He waves away the congratulations of the bewildered servants, who don’t know that the wedding is called off. He shows everyone the way to a hidden room on the third floor, and opens it. Inside, Grace Poole is cooking something over the fire, and tells Mr. Rochester that her “charge” (337) is in a slightly dangerous mood. Bertha Mason acts like a wild animal, and attacks Mr. Rochester with great strength. He wrestles her into submission, trying not to hurt her, and they leave the room. Jane is then informed that Mr. Mason heard about the wedding from Jane’s uncle, whom Jane had written to about it. Jane’s uncle has a fatal disease and could not come to England to save Jane from bigamy, so Mason came instead. Then everyone leaves and she goes to her room. In her room, Jane mechanically takes of her wedding finery and changes back into her governess clothes. She realizes that all her future is shattered, and her brain tells her she must leave Mr. Rochester, despite her heart’s struggles. She feels like she is drowning.

Reaction

I can hardly believe that Mr. Rochester tried to trick Jane into a false marriage. Obviously, he did not mean to hurt her and clearly loves her, but he certainly did fool her. Poor Jane. He lied to her in the worst possible way. Looking back on their whirlwind romance, it seems so clear – that was his secret pain; that was his past sin. Think about it, his wife was locked up upstairs while he proposed to Jane! I suppose divorce is impossible for Mr. Rochester since his wife is insane, because that would solve the whole problem. Mr. Rochester’s life story is indeed very bewildering. The part when he shows everyone Bertha Mason is especially confusing, since Jane kept referring to the woman as ‘it.’ In addition, I really don’t know what Jane should do now. If I were her, I wouldn’t keep being Adèle’s governess. And it wasn’t Grace Poole laughing and attacking people all this time! She merely takes care of Mr. Rochester’s wife and was used as a scapegoat to deflect Jane’ suspicions. My favorite lines were both from Grace Poole, who called Bertha Mason “snappish, but not ‘rageous” (338) and told the men to “Ware!” (338) – she presumably means ‘beware’ – when the mad woman was about to attack them.

Chapter 25

Summary

It is now the day before the wedding. Mr. Rochester has been out on a business trip the last two days, but he is late, and Jane grows anxious. It is dark outside, but she cannot sleep. She decides to take a walk, and wait for Mr. Rochester to arrive. She goes to the split chestnut tree. She muses that though it is damaged beyond repair, each splinter has a companion. Mr. Rochester still does not show up, so Jane decides to try to intercept him on his way back. She does meet him soon, and he helps her up on the horse after greeting her affectionately. They get home, and talk in the library. Mr. Rochester notices that something troubles Jane, so she tells him what happened last night.

Last night, Jane had a few nightmares. Both dreams included an infant that Jane had to carry, and Mr. Rochester leaving or being torn away from her. Mr. Rochester comforts her, but Jane says the worst is yet to come, and it wasn’t a dream. In the middle of the night, Jane woke up to see someone rummaging in her closet, where her wedding dress and veil were. The strange figure was tall, female, and grotesque. She looked like a vampire. The vampire lady spitefully tore Jane’s wedding veil and stamped on it. Then she snuffed the candle out in Jane’s face, whereupon Jane was overcome with terror and fainted. When she came to, it was morning and she was alone. When he hears this story, Mr. Rochester tries to assure Jane that the woman was a dream, but Jane can refute this theory, since the veil actually is torn and trampled upon. Then Mr. Rochester tells her that it was Grace Poole, and Jane just imagined her creepy appearance. Jane disagrees, but can find no better explanation. He then asks her to sleep in Adèle’s bed for the night just to be safe. Jane does, but she can’t sleep all night. She has a vague feeling of dread. In the morning, she feels strangely emotional, and cries over Adèle when she leaves the little girl.

Reaction

So…either Grace Poole is completely loony, or the vampire lady is not Grace Poole. Let’s think about the facts. According to Mr. Rochester, Grace Poole is a middle-aged woman hired to do some sewing, laughs drearily to herself, makes random animal noises, almost burned him alive, stabbed and bit Mason, and tore Jane’s wedding veil. In addition, she has some kind of leverage over him, so he does not fire her. But then, faced with the Grace Poole we have seen – placid, laconic, and calm – it just seems impossible that they are the same person unless she has fits of madness. Also, the bad omens are piling up. The lightning-struck tree, the infant dreams, and the tearing of the veil. The wedding is in the next chapter!

Chapter 24

Summary

This chapter covers the month of courtship before Jane and Mr. Rochester’s wedding is to be held. The next morning, Jane is glad to see Mr. Rochester after breakfast. However, he fawns over her, spouts romantic clichés, praises her to high heavens, and promises to “load” (298) her with jewelry. Jane is blunt and down to earth, continuously refusing his romantic overtures.  She bluntly tells him to stop with the flattery, and provokes him into rudeness, which she much prefers over gushing. Also, by the way, Mr. Rochester proves my suspicions correct by admitting that he pretended to be in love with and engaged to Miss Ingram solely to make Jane jealous. Jane calls him out on his bad behavior, and she now has the upper ground morally.

Jane talks to Mrs. Fairfax, and is hurt that the old lady is suspicious of Mr. Rochester’s true intentions toward Jane. However, their chat is interrupted when Adèle rushes in, begging Jane to let her go to Millcote with Mr. Rochester, who is taking Jane. Jane asks him, and he agrees for Jane’s sake. On the way there, Mr. Rochester tells Adèle a story about taking Jane to the moon, and crafts a fanciful tale about their life there. He then tells another story about a fairy that gives him a special ring that will get him to the moon. Adèle, bless her heart, is highly skeptical, wondering how they will survive on the moon, and doubting that fairies would visit Mr. Rochester. When they reach Millcote, Mr. Rochester forces Jane to go to a dress shop, and pick out her favorites. She is desperately uncomfortable, and after lots of prodding, chooses one gray dress, and one black, despite his wish for her to get a dozen jewel-colored dresses. Jane is irritated at him for using her as a doll to play dress-up with, so she tells him that if he wants, he can buy a dozen pretty silk dresses for himself, and she’ll get married in normal clothes.

After dinner, Mr. Rochester summons Jane again, and sings a song in her praise. He expects her to swoon with delight, but Jane objects to some lyrics that suggest she must die with Mr. Rochester. He calls her hard-hearted, and she agrees, going on to say that she is “naturally hard – very flinty” (314), and he should get used to it. She continues to refuse to get all sappy on him, and his honeyed words soon change into insults. Mrs. Fairfax relaxes when she sees Jane’s sensibility and strong-mindedness. Meanwhile, despite her outward lack of tenderness toward him, Jane realizes that Mr. Rochester has become her world.

Reaction

Jane is particularly hilarious and no-nonsense in this chapter, and I love it. She tells Mr. Rochester that she loves him “far too dearly to flatter” him (298), and asks him in return not to flatter her. He hardly listens, but Jane sticks to her guns and refuses to be made into someone she’s not. In addition to being uncomfortable with fancy clothes and rich jewels, Jane also is more conscious of her social rank than Mr. Rochester. She cannot bear to think that he is doing her a favor, or that she owes him for his love. She knows that she wants to be his equal in their relationship, so she does not make herself emotionally vulnerable to him yet. Instead, she laughs at his poetic praise, and refuses his gifts. My favorite part was Mr. Rochester’s insults toward Jane, the best ones being “provoking puppet” and “malicious elf” (315).

Chapter 23

Summary

One beautiful summer evening, Jane decides to go for a walk in the gardens of Thornfield. She is admiring the fruit and sweet flowers, when she notices Mr. Rochester also walking in the garden. Jane tries to hide in some trees, and attempts to sneak away when Mr. Rochester isn’t looking, but he calls her over, apparently aware she is there despite her efforts. They go and sit under a nearby horse-chestnut tree. Jane admits that she will miss everyone at Thornfield, including Mr. Rochester. He says that he has found a position for her in Ireland. She begins to cry, overcome with the notion of a sea between her and Mr. Rochester. He seems very sorry to part with her so soon. Jane is miserable; she says that parting with him will be like dying. Suddenly, Mr. Rochester changes his tune. He tells her that there is no need for Jane to leave. She is understandably baffled, especially when he adds that he has no bride. He then kisses her. She is upset, and doesn’t believe him when he tells her that he intends to marry her. She pulls herself free from his grasp, and insists that she will go to Ireland. Mr. Rochester then declares that he loves Jane, and proposes to her. She makes sure he is sincere, and then accepts him. Since it starts to storm violently, they go back to the mansion. Mrs. Fairfax sees them kissing, and looks scandalized, but they are too happy to care. Jane resolves to explain it to Mrs. Fairfax later. The memory of the proposal keeps Jane joyful and calm even through the wild storm. In the early morning, Adèle tells Jane that the horse-chestnut tree was hit by lightning and split in two at night.

Reaction

I would like to rename this chapter “The Chapter in Which Mr. Rochester Finally Stops Needlessly Lowering Jane’s Hopes.” I mean, really. I just can’t figure out why he made Jane so miserable by announcing his engagement to Blanche all this while. Then he started the whole Ireland conversation, when he had no such intentions of sending Jane away, and instead planned to propose to her. However, I understand that social boundaries must have made it hard for him to decide to propose to a woman who is basically his servant. I’m happy for them, and Mrs. Fairfax catching them was humorous. The lightning-struck tree, however, seems like ominous foreshadowing. 

Chapter 22

Summary

Jane stays at the Reed household a while longer, first to help Georgiana get ready to go to London, and then to help Eliza get ready to go and join a nunnery. If anyone would really be a good nun, it’s Eliza. Finally, Jane is free to go back to Thornfield. She cannot help but feel a thrill when she thinks of seeing Mr. Rochester again, despite his engagement to Blanche. When she reaches Thornfield, she bumps into him, and he discusses his upcoming wedding again. On an impulse, as she is about to go into the house after their conversation, she abruptly tells him that being with him, she feels at home. This is pretty much a love confession, but he doesn’t acknowledge it. Adèle, Mrs. Fairfax, and the servants greet her warmly, and Jane is happy to be back among people who love her. Mr. Rochester sends for her more than ever in the following weeks, and is kinder than ever. Jane is by now very much in love with him; though she thinks it is unrequited.

Reaction

Well, the contrast between the lengths of this chapter and the last could not be more extreme. Nevertheless, this one was short and sweet. It was nice to see that Jane has finally found a home, with good friends and love. I must applaud Jane for being the brave one and confessing her feelings for Mr. Rochester. Though it is frustrating that Mr. Rochester either does not realize what she means, or is super non-confrontational, so they do not discuss it. My favorite part was when Mr. Rochester says he wishes he were handsome enough to match ‘Mrs. Rochester’, and jokingly asks Jane if there is a spell to make him more attractive. Jane answers that “It would be past the power of magic, sir” (282). Ha! 

Chapter 21

Summary

That week, Jane dreams about a strange infant every night. She remembers that when she was little, she heard servants at Mrs. Reed’s place saying that dreaming of children is an ill omen. Jane is nervous, and soon dreads sleeping, for she knows the child will be there again. The day after Mason leaves, a visitor comes for Jane. Robert Leaven, the Reed family coachman and Bessie’s husband, is there with a message for Jane. John Reed is dead after ruining himself by living recklessly, and Mrs. Reed was so stressed by the news that she had a stroke. She is on her deathbed now, and keeps asking for Jane. When Robert tells her this, Jane is surprised, but agrees to visit Mrs. Reed. First, she goes to find Mr. Rochester to ask permission to leave for a few weeks. He is with the guests, so Jane has to approach him and ask to talk to him. Miss Ingram looks annoyed, which makes her look no less beautiful – she is wearing a pretty, sky-blue dress with a matching scarf in her hair. However, Mr. Rochester draws Jane out into the hall and asks her what she wants to talk to him about.

She tells him about Mrs. Reed and asks for a week or so of leave. Mr. Rochester seems reluctant to let her go. When he finally agrees, he gives her 50 pounds. She refuses, so he rethinks and gives her 10 of the 15 pounds that he owes her for her salary. She tells him that she plans to advertise for a new position when he gets married to Miss Ingram because going to school would be best for Adèle. He agrees, but makes her promise not to advertise until he says she can. Then he gets fake upset at Jane for not promising to come back in only one week, so asks her to give him back nine of the ten pounds he gave her. She refuses bluntly, in a funny conversation. Then she bids him farewell, but he says he wants more than that cool goodbye. However, instead of specifying, he runs away when the dinner bell rings and Jane sees him no more before her journey.

Robert drives her to Gateshead, and Bessie welcomes her husband and Jane warmly. The women catch up while they wait for Mrs. Reed to wake up. Jane also sees Georgiana and Eliza. Eliza is now tall, sour, and plain, while Georgiana is beautiful and voluptuous. In an hour, Mrs. Reed wakes up. When Jane sees Mrs. Reed, she forgives and forgets in a moment, and asks her lovingly how she is doing. However, even her illness and the long years have not softened Mrs. Reed, and she goes on a rant about how annoying Jane was as a child. She becomes hysterical about John’s recklessness, seeming to forget he is dead, and Bessie says Mrs. Reed must be put to bed. Jane decides to come back to Mrs. Reed’s room later.

At first, Eliza and Georgiana don’t talk to Jane, but luckily Jane can keep herself occupied. She sketches whatever comes to her imagination – including, one day, sketching a portrait of Mr. Rochester. Georgiana sees her pictures and decides to make friends with Jane. However, all Georgiana talks about is past parties and complains constantly. In contrast, Eliza is busy 24/7 and wants no human contact. Soon, Jane visits Mrs. Reed again, and they finally have a conversation. Mrs. Reed says she regrets not treating Jane better, but goes on to say she still hates her. Then, she confesses that she hid a very important letter for Jane that arrived three years ago. Jane’s rich uncle said that he would like to adopt Jane, and would give her his inheritance when he dies. Mrs. Reed hid it because she could not bear Jane to have that happiness, and even replied to the letter saying that Jane is dead. Nevertheless, Jane forgives Mrs. Reed and offers reconciliation, but the woman refuses. Mrs. Reed dies that night. Georgiana cries hysterically and is too afraid to see her. Eliza and Jane go to see her, but neither shed a tear.

Reaction

            I guess the infant dreams were indeed an ill omen – though it’s pathetic that Mrs. Reed clings so vehemently to her hatred of Jane even on her deathbed. The fate of the entire Reed family is tragic; three people dead, Eliza with no emotion, and Georgiana a total airhead. However, it’s hard to sympathize with Mrs. Reed, despite her family troubles, especially because she could reconciled with Jane through the letter from the rich uncle, but instead went out of her way to spite Jane. Mr. Rochester and Jane’s conversation before she leaves is funny.  My favorite part was Jane telling Mr. Rochester he could not even look at her money, and “putting [her] hands and purse” (258) behind her back. Jane’s random boldness, in contrast to her outward meekness in front of the guests, is refreshing. 

Chapter 20

Summary

At night, Jane wakes up to hear a bloodcurdling scream, followed by calls for help. The person also calls for Mr. Rochester. Jane rushes out of her room to the hall, as does everyone else, and they panic and clamor around until Mr. Rochester shows up. He convinces everyone that a servant merely had a nightmare, and gets them back to bed. Jane also goes to her room, but she is the only one who heard the cries for help after the initial scream, because they came from right above her room. She stays awake, and waits for Mr. Rochester to knock – and sure enough, he does, and summons her to help him. He bids her to get a sponge and smelling salts, and takes her up to a room on the third floor. He talks with someone in a low voice, and Jane hears the unmistakable laugh of Grace Poole. Then she enters to see Mason on a chair, unconscious and bleeding heavily from his arm. Mr. Rochester goes to fetch a surgeon, instructs Jane to sponge Mason’s arm, and orders Mason and Jane not to speak a word to each other. As she tends to the wound, Jane mulls over the night’s events. What hurt Mason? Why could he not talk about it?

After a few hours, Mr. Rochester finally returns with a surgeon. Mr. Rochester keeps making light of the wound, and tries to cheer Mason up. Then, as the surgeon works on the injury, Mr. Rochester has a strange conversation with Mason. From their exchange, it can be inferred that Mason’s attacker is a woman that both of them are familiar with. She apparently attacked Mason that night when he visited her. She stabbed Mason with a knife, and bit him multiple times. He cried for help, and Mr. Rochester heard and came to the rescue. The woman then tried to suck Mason’s blood, and said she would “drain his heart” (243) before she was subdued. Soon, the surgery is over, so Jane is told to fetch clothes and some kind of (almost certainly alcoholic) drink for Mason. As the surgeon escorts the wounded man to a carriage, Mason tells Mr. Rochester to try to treat the woman who attacked him as “tenderly” (246) as possible and then begins to cry. Mr. Rochester assures him he will, and then bids Mason goodbye as the carriage drives away.

It is early morning now, and Mr. Rochester invites Jane to walk with him for a while outside. He expresses his disgust for the mansion, which Jane thinks quite lovely. He then offers her a rose, and she accepts it. He tells her that she needn’t worry about Grace Poole, but that he is afraid of Mason because Mason may unknowingly ruin his chances for happiness by just a word. Then he says that Jane has the same power over him. She still doesn’t get his subtle hints, but I don’t blame her for being confused, because the next moment, he actually asks her to promise to stay up with him the night before his wedding because he will surely be nervous, and boasts of Blanche’s beauty. Presently, they notice others up and about, and part ways.

Reaction

Well, that was eventful! First of all, I seriously doubt Grace Poole bit Mason. It just seems too strange for a middle aged, placid woman to bite a stranger. In addition, why would Mason visit her anyway? And if he was so hurt by the woman, why did he ask for her to be treated with kindness? That was unexpectedly sweet after what she (whoever she is) did to him. I’m sure Jane must have been as curious as I am, so I cannot believe Mr. Rochester didn’t explain anything on their walk. And Mr. Rochester is the master of mixed signals. He gives Jane a flower, and then talks about how “buxom” (252) Blanche is. Yeah, weirdest conversation ever. 

Chapter 19

Summary

So, this whole chapter is about Jane’s meeting with the old crone. Jane goes to the library to get her fortune told, and sees the strange old lady sitting by the fire, shrouded in a bonnet and cloak. Jane expresses her skepticism about fortune-telling, and the old woman gains some credibility by admitting that you can tell more about a person by looking at their face instead of their palm. The old woman keeps trying to insist that Jane is lonely and looking for love, and Jane keeps asserting her independence. The hag tells Jane about Mr. Rochester and Miss Ingram’s upcoming marriage, and how Miss Ingram does not love her future husband. The woman seems to be trying to get Jane to reveal her opinion of Mr. Rochester, and keeps implying that Jane is jealous of Blanche. Jane smoothly interrupts by reminding her that she is supposed to tell Jane’s fortune, not Mr. Rochester’s future. The hag looks at Jane’s face for a moment, and mumbles some exceedingly strange things about Jane being at war with her feelings. Then, she reveals herself to actually be Mr. Rochester in disguise. Jane is considerably less confused than I would be in her situation, and she calmly tells Mr. Rochester about Mr. Mason’s arrival. At this, Mr. Rochester freaks out, and tells Jane to summon Mason. Jane does so, and after the men talk, she sees Mr. Rochester cheerfully leading Mason to his room. Comforted, she goes to sleep. Wow, that was a short chapter again!

Reaction

Okay, what’s up with Mr. Rochester? This is the second time he’s pretended to not be himself. Though I do wonder, how did no one see through his disguise? I know they couldn’t see his face very well, but he’s supposed to be a muscular, powerful man, how could he even remotely resemble an old, frail woman? I guess he just makes a very convincing woman, or all the women except Jane are really gullible. In addition, in the light of the old woman’s identity, it seems clearer than ever that Mr. Rochester has feelings for Jane, so why is he going to marry Blanche? My favorite quotation was when Mr. Rochester, pretending to be the fortune-teller, ‘reads’ Jane’s face, and says, “Well said, forehead; your declaration shall be respected” (230).

Chapter 18

Summary

With the guests over, Thornfield is transformed from a gloomy mansion to a party hall. There are people everywhere, talking, laughing, and making merry. This particular evening, Mr. Rochester decides that they will play charades. Immediately, people run around, getting costumes. Mr. Rochester then summons all the women and chooses the ones to be on his team, choosing Blanche among others. He asks Jane, but she declines in favor of sitting in her chair and watching. Blanche’s mother calls Jane stupid for no particular reason. Blanche and Mr. Rochester pair up for some of the charades, and everyone is dressed in amazing costumes and act very well. After their group is done, Jane watches Mr. Rochester and Blanche in the audience instead of the other group. She thinks that they are engaged, based on their interaction, but Jane is not jealous. She feels that Mr. Rochester does not love Blanche, and Jane cannot be jealous of such a cruel, spiteful woman.

Later, a man comes to Thornfield to join the party, saying that he and Mr. Rochester go way back and are good friends. Jane thinks that he looks weak, very dissimilar to Mr. Rochester. His name is Mr. Mason. He comes in when Mr. Rochester is away, and is welcomed to the party, where he sits in the corner by the fireplace, looking timid. Soon, a servant comes in to say that an old woman is outside, and she wants to tell the fortunes of the young, single ladies in the room. Rudely shunning her mother’s pleas for caution, Blanche volunteers to be the first. She disappears into the library, where the old woman is. When she comes back, she looks sour and irritated, and won’t tell anyone what happened. The rest of the girls go in at once, and come back half-hysterical, claiming that the old woman knows many things about them that she shouldn’t know. Then, the servant reminds Jane that she too must go, and Jane willingly slips off to the library. Cliffhanger!

Reaction

Well, this chapter is pretty short. I loved the charades scene, especially when Mr. Rochester and Blanche dressed up in shawls and fancy costumes. Mr. Mason seems like a bit of a wallflower, to say the least. I mean, he tried so hard to hide that he practically fell into the fire, poor thing. And as for the old woman, what did she say to Blanche? Anyhow, Mr. Rochester obviously does not love Blanche. She is carefully created so that the readers dislike her thoroughly, and Jane is clearly much more deserving of love. However, I still haven’t figured out why Mr. Rochester is acting like a dingbat. He really ought to stop pretending to like Blanche. My favorite quotation was, “By jove, she has taste!” (220) said by a guest upon hearing that the old woman only wants to see young single ladies. 

Chapter 17

Summary

Mr. Rochester returns after a few days, along with a bunch of “fine people” (185) as guests. The servants work madly to prepare the house for the guests, and Jane overhears a conversation about Grace Poole, and learns that Grace gets high wages for her mysterious job. Finally, the party arrives. Jane notices that Blanche Ingram and Mr. Rochester ride together, apart from the rest of the group. Jane has plenty of chances to observe them, because Mr. Rochester commands Jane and Adèle to attend the party every night that the guests are present. On the first night, Jane sits quietly in a corner while Adèle chatters away to the ladies. Jane observes the guests, and describes them. Most notably, Blanche Ingram is very beautiful, but arrogant and unkind. Blanche and her irritatingly doting mother talk with the other guests about governesses while Jane is clearly in earshot, making rude stereotypes and insulting remarks. Blanche also flirts with Mr. Rochester, talking about how she likes masculinity, and despises pretty men. She says she likes men such as Bothwell, and the guests agree that Mr. Rochester most closely resembles Bothwell. How subtle, Blanche. Mr. Rochester compliments her constantly, and he sings while she plays the piano. Jane watches all these nauseating proceedings from her corner, and leaves the room after the song is over. While tying her shoe outside, she notices Mr. Rochester stepping outside also, to talk to her. He notices her sadness, and tries to figure out what causes it, but he soon has to return to the party. But not before he slips up and calls Jane his – well, something; he cuts himself off.

Reaction

I didn’t think Mr. Rochester was a party kind of guy! Well, I guess he’s a Victorian era party guy. The chapter is mainly filled with descriptions of the guests and the haughty Blanche. Goodness, Jane really suffered in this chapter. Blanche is extremely rude, and her mother’s fawning over her is very irritating. Why did Mr. Rochester act so enamored by Blanche anyway? And then almost confess his feelings for Jane?

Chapter 16

Summary

In the morning, Jane hears the servants talking about the fire. They seem to think that it was caused by a falling candle, and Mr. Rochester saved himself. As Jane passes Mr. Rochester’s room, who should she see but Grace Poole, sewing calmly by the bed!  Jane is astonished at her tranquility, and decides to question her. Grace calmly says that Jane must have dreamt the strange laughs, and asks her why she did not look outside the door and if she normally bolts her door. Provoked by the questioning, Jane replies that she thought Thornfield was safe, but from now on, she will bolt her door. Grace coolly says that it might be wise to do so. Jane is flabbergasted at Grace’s serenity and seemingly awful hypocrisy. Then Jane must leave the room, for Mrs. Fairfax is waiting for her.

Jane is lost in thought while she teaches Adèle, and the little girl notices that Jane looks flushed. Jane is starting to realize that she hopes that Mr. Rochester cares for her. Also, she is determined to ask him about Grace Poole once and for all. Unfortunately, Mr. Rochester doesn’t drop by all day, even though Jane keeps waiting to hear him summoning her. Mrs. Fairfax then tells her that Mr. Rochester has gone to a party. Jane inquires about the people there, and Mrs. Fairfax tells her about a beautiful lady named Blanche Ingram that Mr. Rochester had sung a duet with. When she is alone, Jane is furious with herself. She berates herself for daring to hope that Mr. Rochester is in love with her, when beautiful women like Miss Ingram are in his company. She resolves to paint a picture of Blanche, and then draw a self-portrait, then compare the two whenever she forgets how hopeless it is for her to be in love with Mr. Rochester.

Reaction

Since Grace has not been fired, I am pretty certain that Grace is not the one that tried to murder Mr. Rochester, unless she really is blackmailing him. Jane finally, yet still indirectly, reveals that she is in love with Mr. Rochester. It seems to me that in the previous chapters, Mr. Rochester seems to love her back. I don’t know if Jane really does have to worry about Blanche Ingram. My favorite part was Jane’s conversation with Grace, because Grace was amusingly calm in contrast to Jane’s indignation and bewilderment.

Chapter 15

Summary

One day, Mr. Rochester finds Jane and Adèle on the grounds, and decides to tell Jane about Adèle’s mother. Céline Varens was a French opera-dancer, whom Mr. Rochester was once in love with in his youth. He dumped her when he caught her cheating on him. However, after they broke up, Céline gave birth to Adèle, claiming Mr. Rochester is the father. Later, Céline ran away to Italy with a new lover, leaving Adèle behind. Mr. Rochester does not believe she is his daughter, but he decided to take her in anyways out of charity. While he narrates his story to Jane, he interrupts himself a few times, once to tell her that it seems like his destiny is daring him to like Thornfield and he accepts the dare. This means that he feels, for the first time, as if he can be happy at Thornfield, but has misgivings about his joy due to his past. Mr. Rochester also affirms that he is sticking to his good resolutions. Unfortunately, he is still unkind to Adèle, and speaks harshly to her. Jane, on the other hand, likes Adèle more now that knows that she is virtually abandoned, and is more sympathetic now that she understands the child’s loneliness.

As she lies awake at night, unable to sleep, Jane wonders about Mr. Rochester’s moodiness and unhappiness which, she has concluded, arise from some secret pain of his. Suddenly, she hears the slow, deep laugh of Grace Poole right outside her door! It also sounds as if the person is running their fingers on the wall outside Jane’s room. Terrified, she leaps up and locks her door, and calls to the person, asking who they are. There is no response except for more eerie noises. Jane, by now extremely awake, hears the person opening Mr. Rochester’s room and closing it after a moment or two. Then there is silence. Jane sucks up her courage, and slowly opens her door, peering outside. There is nothing…except for smoke coming from Mr. Rochester’s room! Jane rushes over, and sees Mr. Rochester’s bed on fire, and him fast asleep, about to be burned alive. She grabs the nearest basin and pours water over him and the bed until the flames are doused. Mr. Rochester wakes up at that, and his initial reaction is to call Jane a witch and accuse her of trying to drown him. Jane quickly explains the situation, and Mr. Rochester says that he must pay a visit to the mysterious third floor, ordering Jane not to move while he is away. When he gets back, he blames the fire on Grace Poole, and thanks Jane for saving his life. He inadvertently admits that he has special feelings of some sort for Jane. Then she makes an excuse to leave, since he is holding her hand and won’t let go. Jane can’t sleep for the rest of the night.

Reaction

Wow! This chapter was action-packed. The fire scene was suspenseful, and very fun to read. I loved Jane’s compassionate and warm feelings toward Adèle, and this chapter made me feel very sorry for the poor little girl. And again, I seriously doubt Grace Poole was the one that tried to kill Mr. Rochester. It just can’t be her, or there would be more of a fuss. Also, Mr. Rochester’s initial reaction to waking up in a puddle of water was hilarious. 

Chapter 14

Summary

This chapter is hard to summarize, but I’ll do my best. So after a few days of going out to visit, Mr. Rochester stays at Thornfield, and calls Jane and Adèle down in the evening. He gives Adèle her eagerly awaited present, and commands Jane to sit in the chair opposite him. The rest of the chapter is Jane and Mr. Rochester bantering. They are both silent at first, and Jane takes the opportunity to observe him. He notices her glance, and asks her if she thinks he is handsome. Jane immediately blurts out “No, sir” (148), and though she recants her statement afterwards, Mr. Rochester takes notice of and appreciates her honesty (he later repays the favor by telling her she is not pretty any more than he is handsome). By his cryptic remarks, Jane comes to understand that he is a good man that did immoral deeds in the past and now regrets them. However, he is struggling against temptation to continue them again. Jane cautions him not to, and he agrees to stay on the right path. When it is nine o’ clock, Jane decides to put Adèle to bed, but she comes in the room with her new pink dress on, and Mr. Rochester says that she looks like a miniature version of her mother, Céline Varens. He promises Jane he will tell her about Adèle’s mother later.

Mr. Rochester and Jane get along very well, and he almost seems to read her mind at times. Mr. Rochester also seems to be very impressed by Jane, and thinks that her demure façade belies her impish, bold spirit. Likewise, Jane likes his strong personality, and thinks that it makes him not seem ugly. She also appreciates his asking whether his gruffness and lack of manners hurts her feelings despite the fact that he is her boss and above her socially.

Reaction

Overall, the conversation leaves me slightly confused, and slightly impressed. I half wish people talked like that today…but then everyone would be confused all the time. I love Jane’s reactions to Mr. Rochester in this chapter – especially when she smiles after realizing that her employer is asking her if his orders hurt her feelings, and also when she keeps asserting herself. Even better, Jane more than once secretly thinks that he must be drunk during their conversation. I find that hilarious. And the winner of my favorite quotation in this chapter is: “I have no wish to talk nonsense” (156) – Jane to Mr. Rochester when she says she would like to end the conversation.

Chapter 13

Summary

The next day, Thornfield is transformed, for the master is in. Adèle and Jane must leave the library and find a different place to work because the library is being prepared for callers. Adèle is so excited that she cannot study. She expects a present from Mr. Rochester, and is eager to receive it. She speaks to Jane in French, and again I can barely understand a few words. When it is dark, Adèle is finally free to go downstairs. Mrs. Fairfax insists that Jane dresses up, so Jane puts on her second best dress and her only brooch. Mr. Rochester does not seem very interested in Mrs. Fairfax, Adèle, or Jane, but once again, his gruffness makes Jane feel comfortable. Adèle, in a generous mood, asks Mr. Rochester in French (context clues!) to give Jane a present too. Mr. Rochester humors her and asks Jane if she likes presents. She answers that it depends on the nature of the present. He appreciates her intelligent and witty response, and they begin to banter.

Jane ends up telling Mr. Rochester, in brief, about her life before Thornfield, including Lowood and Mr. Brocklehurst. Jane plays the piano for him, and he deems her skill at best slightly better than average. Then he asks to see her drawings. She brings her portfolio, and he examines the paintings carefully. He proclaims the subject matter, which seems pretty depressing to me, “elfish” (142). He suddenly dismisses everyone, and submits to Adèle’s kiss reluctantly. When they have left, Jane asks Mrs. Fairfax why Mr. Rochester is so moody. Mrs. Fairfax answers that he has family troubles. Apparently, his greedy father and older brother led him into a miserable situation in order to secure a fortune for him, and he has never recovered. Therefore, Mr. Rochester thinks Thornfield is gloomy. Jane’s curiosity is further piqued by this woefully inadequate explanation, but she cannot get another word out of Mrs. Fairfax.

Reaction

First of all, Adèle’s little speech in French at the beginning of the chapter made my jaw drop in horror. She better not have said anything important, because it went over my head. And I don’t really know what to think of Mr. Rochester. His bossiness and moodiness gets on my nerves a bit, but he is refreshingly honest and unaffected. The whole time Jane and Mr. Rochester are talking, he orders everyone around and tells them what to do, and it is slightly annoying. But then again, they are all his servants – except for Adèle. Speaking of Adèle, Mr. Rochester doesn’t seem to like the poor girl at all. However, he seems very interested in Jane, hmm. He also doesn’t mention the giant elephant in the room: that he and Jane met yesterday and he pretended not to be himself. Awkward. My favorite line in the chapter was “‘Humph!’ said Mr. Rochester” (137). 

Chapter 12

Summary

Jane soon finds that though she is fond of Adèle and likes kind old Mrs. Fairfax, life at Thornfield is pretty boring. Mrs. Fairfax is sweet, but uninteresting, and Adèle is an average child. Jane says that she realizes many people would condemn her for ungratefulness, but she cannot help feeling that her routine is dull.  Jane tells the reader that women should not be scoffed at for wanting more in life than a quiet existence. Women need to have their minds stimulated just as much as men do. Jane further goes against custom by proclaiming that men should not condemn women for wanting to do more than sew and play music and live a quiet, domestic life. Jane wants more than peace – she wants action. Going back to her narrative, Jane mentions hearing Grace Poole laughing often, and even stranger murmurs. She sees Grace fetching a jug of porter (beer) occasionally from the kitchen. Jane tries to talk to her a few times, but Grace’s short replies soon deter her.

One day, Adèle has a cold, so Jane lets her have the day off. She kisses Adèle goodbye when the little girl says – well, something in French, and goes off to mail a letter for Mrs. Fairfax. Jane walks briskly until she is warm, and then slows down to enjoy the scenery, stopping for a while in a pretty field. She sees a large dog coming along the lane all of a sudden. His owner’s horse has slipped on a patch of ice back on the path. Jane rushes over to help, and hears the man swearing enthusiastically as he tries to free himself. I like this guy. The man succeeds, and calms his dog – called Pilot – down. Jane is glad that the man is not handsome, because then she would be too intimidated to talk to him. The man is middle aged, and seems grumpy. However, Jane is again glad he is gruff, because it puts her at ease. He asks her about Thornfield and Mr. Rochester, and Jane tells him that she does not know much about Rochester. The man figures out that Jane is the governess, and says “deuce take me if I had not forgotten! The governess!” (129). Jane mails the letter and returns to Thornfield reluctantly. When she reaches there, she sees Pilot, the strange man’s dog, sitting on the rug. She hears from a servant named Leah that Mr. Rochester just arrived, and he hurt his ankle slipping on a path of ice on the way. Jane goes upstairs to change her clothes.

Reaction

So, there are a lot of things to like about this chapter, and few things to be confused by. I love Jane’s feminist rant; it really was radical in the Victorian era. I also like the whole part with Mr. Rochester, especially Jane being put at ease by his unattractiveness and brusque manner. Mr. Rochester pretending not to be Mr. Rochester is baffling though. It is weird, and I don’t understand why he does it, since Jane would obviously find out who he is when she gets back to Thornfield. Also, exactly what does Adèle say? I couldn’t figure it out from context clues this time. Brontë, I thought I told you to stick to English!