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!

Chapter 11

Summary

Jane waits for the carriage that is to bring her to Thornfield outside a hotel. When it arrives, she is relieved when she notices the plainness of the servant and ride. She doesn’t want to live with rich, snobby folks. When they reach Thornfield, they are greeted by a little old lady named Mrs. Fairfax, who is very polite and sweet to an astonished Jane. She finds out that her pupil is named Miss Varens. Mrs. Fairfax bids Jane goodnight and shows her into her small but comfortable room. Although the house is dark and depressing, Jane is delighted at the kindness of Mrs. Fairfax, who she supposes to be her employer. She thanks God for her good fortune and falls asleep.

When Jane wakes up, she looks for something to wear. Jane knows she isn’t pretty, but tries to look nice. She wishes she was taller and had a better figure and a nicer nose. Instead of moping though, she tries to make sure she is at least neat and clean. When she is satisfied that she looks pleasant enough, she goes down to meet Miss Varens. Jane meets Mrs. Fairfax on the way, and discovers that the good lady is not the owner of Thornfield at all, but the housekeeper. Jane feels even better now that she knows that Mrs. Fairfax’s kindness is genuine, not condescending. A man named Mr. Rochester is the owner, and Miss Varens is his “ward” (112). She then meets her pupil, Adèle Varens. Adèle is glad that Jane speaks French and chatters away about her voyage from France, where she had lived until her mother died. The talkative little girl sings a song for Jane, but Jane thinks that the song, clearly meant for a woman to sing, does not suit a little girl. Adèle turns out to be intelligent, but not hardworking. Jane plans to get her accustomed to work gradually.

Later, Jane asks Mrs. Fairfax about Mr. Rochester. She learns that he visits only occasionally, and is a strange man, yet has a good character. Jane explores the gigantic house, asking questions all the while as Mrs. Fairfax does her best to answer them. She reaches the third story, of which Mrs. Fairfax says, “one would almost say that, if there were a ghost at Thornfield, this would be its haunt” (118). As she walks around, she hears a strange, deep, melancholy laugh. Mrs. Fairfax scolds a middle-aged servant named Grace Poole for the noise. Jane notices that Grace is plain and redheaded. Then the old lady changes the subject. Adèle runs up to them and calls them for dinner in French, and they all go to eat.

Reaction

The part about Jane’s appearance is very relatable, and I liked the glimpse of her insecurities. In addition, Adèle seems amusing, though she talks too much. I wonder what Mrs. Fairfax means by ‘ward.’ Is Adèle Mr. Rochester’s daughter, or not? Adèle also talks in French sometimes, and Brontë, worryingly, doesn’t translate. So far, I can guess what she means by the context clues, but I hope she sticks to English for the rest of the novel, because though I do know ‘bonjour,’ I’m not too swell at French. Oh, and this chapter had the quotation on the back cover! About the creepy laugh, I’m going to guess that there is a ghost, and it’s not Grace Poole. 

Chapter 10

Summary

Jane skips eight years in her narrative, explaining to us that they were uninteresting. She was an excellent student – the best in her class – and graduated to teach at Lowood for two years. In addition, the conditions at Lowood improved for those eight years, because the outbreak of illness caused an investigation in which the deplorable conditions were revealed to the public, and new management changed it for the better. After Jane’s two years of teaching, Miss Temple marries and leaves. Now, Jane has no reason to continue at Lowood, and after a night of thinking, decides to advertise as a governess to get a job. A woman named Mrs. Fairfax replies to the advertisement and offers Jane a job at a large house called Thornfield. Her pay will be “thirty pounds per annum” (97) – which is about 50 dollars per year in a modern conversion. After tedious back-and-forth permission letters, Jane is given formal permission to work at Thornfield. While Jane is waiting to leave for Thornfield, guess who shows up to visit? Bessie!

Bessie is now married, and has two kids – she named the girl after Jane, aww. The two reunite joyfully and catch up. Apparently, the Reed family is not very happy nowadays. John Reed misbehaves a lot and makes Mrs. Reed very anxious and upset. Georgiana almost eloped, but Eliza stopped her and now the sisters hate each other. Jane then tells Bessie about Lowood. After hearing about Jane’s experience, Bessie concludes that Jane is still not beautiful, but is accomplished, ladylike, and talented. She tells Jane that a man named Mr. Eyre stopped by about a year after Jane left. He was in a hurry, so was not able to visit Lowood, but he talked to Mrs. Reed, who was rude to him. Mr. Eyre was Jane’s uncle and wanted to see her. His visit proves that Jane’s family is “gentry” (102) as much as the Reed family is. Bessie and Jane talk about good times for a while longer, but Jane then has to get going to Thornfield, so the two women part amiably.

Reaction

This is another transition chapter, this time between Lowood and Thornfield. Jane skipping eight years in the narrative does not throw me off balance though, because Jane’s important scenes and character development at Lowood were already done. I liked seeing her initiative and independence in getting a job. In the Victorian era, nursing, being a governess, and writing were pretty much the only socially acceptable jobs for women, so Jane’s best option was applying for the position of governess in a rich household. Most intriguing of all was Bessie’s news about Mr. Eyre dropping by seven years ago – why has he never visited before, and why hasn’t he visited again?

Chapter 9

Summary

Life at Lowood gets better in the spring. Almost half of the girls get very sick due to the poor conditions at school, so the healthy members of school have much more freedom and food than usual. Jane hangs out with Mary Ann Wilson, a funny, original, and entertaining girl who could “reciprocate any racy and pungent gossip” (85) that Jane can think of. Jane assures us that she knows Mary Ann is an inferior companion to Helen, but Helen is sick. Jane hears that Helen has consumption, but does not know how serious tuberculosis is. One night, Jane thinks about life and death, and realizes that Helen is seriously sick and in danger of perishing soon. Since the nurse won’t let her in, she shows more of her pluckiness and breaks into Helen’s sickroom. Helen confirms that she is going to die, and the two girls snuggle in Helen’s bed. The dying girl tells Jane that she believes in God, and is not sorry to die. Jane questions all of Helen’s assertions in her head, but does not voice her doubts about heaven and God. The girls fall asleep after saying goodnight affectionately. Jane wakes up in the nurse’s arms; she is being carried away because Helen died during the night. Present-day Jane implies that she set up a grave for Helen fifteen years later, with Helen’s name and the word “Resurgam” (90) inscribed in it.

Reaction

I don’t know if I like the implications about friendship in this chapter. Helen is an amazing, true, and noble friend to Jane, but Mary Ann is no less worthy. Jane mentions that she and Mary Ann get along very well because their personalities mesh, and Jane and Helen get along because of mutual respect and affection. As long as people love each other, their friendship is true, in my opinion. Also, what do Mary Ann and Jane gossip about? I’m curious. Anyway, Helen’s death makes this chapter extremely poignant. It also marks the end of Jane’s childhood. The scene with the girls hugging each other right before Helen’s death is so cute that Helen’s peaceful death is shocking and upsetting. However, Jane never mentions feeling any grief. I think that Jane does not mourn because Helen accepts death and asks Jane to be happy. In addition, I looked up the word Jane puts on Helen’s grave, ‘resurgam,’ and it means, “I shall rise again” in Latin. Like a phoenix?  

Chapter 8

Summary

After school ends, Jane goes into a corner and cries stormily. Helen tries to calm her down by saying that if Jane is good, it does not matter what others think. Jane tries to explain that she is upset because she wants people to love her. Helen chastises her for thinking too much of “the love of human beings” (75). They agree to disagree, I suppose, and hug. Miss Temple comes along and invites them to have tea with her. Jane explains her childhood to Miss Temple, who promises to investigate the matter and have Jane’s reputation cleared. This means that she will talk to Mr. Lloyd and confirm that Jane is not a liar. Jane is put at ease, and the two girls enjoy some seed cake given to them by the kind Miss Temple as they sit in her office. By the questions that Miss Temple asks Helen and Jane’s description of her behavior, it can be inferred that Helen is sick and Miss Temple is worried about her.  As they converse, Jane observes Helen blooming under the kind attention and becoming beautiful in her earnestness. When the girls leave, Miss Temple cries precisely one tear for Helen, and sighs mysteriously.

The next day, the shrewish Miss Scatcherd makes Helen wear a band around her head saying ‘slattern,’ referring to her supposed sloppiness. Helen takes it calmly, but Jane rips it off in anger as soon as school gets out. The next week, Miss Temple announces before the whole school that Jane is innocent of all charges made by Brocklehurst, and the teachers and girls are glad. Grateful for the chance to start afresh, Jane puts her heart and soul into schoolwork and does very well, becoming a model student.

Reaction

Again, I agree with Jane’s vengeful view rather than Helen’s view. Peace is nice, but doing something is better than passivity, in my humble opinion. Helen is a tragic character because she hides her sorrows, yet is hardly rewarded for her behavior. In fact, her illness and Miss Temple’s single dramatic tear lead me to believe she will probably die. Helen is Jane’s sole attachment to Lowood, so she must be gone for Jane to be able to leave. And leave Jane must, since, as readers should know, she leaves the school and ends up at a place called Thornfield. No, that’s not a spoiler, it’s on the back cover. One thing I must say is that the actual syllabus at Lowood seems much easier than at a modern day high school. I mean, she is promoted to art class and French, which are electives for us. She pretty much has none of our core subjects, lucky duck. 

Chapter 7

Summary

Jane tells us about the harsh life the Lowood girls lead. Now that it is winter, the girls suffer from insufficient clothing to protect them from the bitterly cold weather, and they still do not have enough food to be healthy. Sundays are the worst; the girls must walk in the snow to church and back, and suffer through long sermons. Anyone who fails to pay attention to the sermon is punished. Worst of all, Mr. “I’m a hypocritical preachy dude” Brocklehurst soon shows up for a visit. Yes, the same man I refused to blog about a few chapters ago, the overseer of Lowood. At first, he takes no notice of Jane, and instead finds fault with the school in general. He objects to the meal of bread and cheese that Miss Temple handed out because he thinks proper meals are earthly pleasures. Miss Temple is disgusted, but she must obey him. Ol’ Brockles, having lost what little reason he might possess, goes on to demand that the girls cut off all their hair. The man actually claims that “vanity itself might have woven” (69) the girls’ plain buns and they need to be removed. 

Then, Jane unfortunately happens to drop her slate, calling attention to herself. Brocklehurst, recognizing her, makes good on his promise to tell the school about Jane’s supposed immorality. He tells the girls that Jane is in cohorts with the devil, and is a liar. To top it all off, he makes her stand in front of the school until class is dismissed. Finally, Brocklehurst leaves the school. Jane is rendered mortified and miserable by the false accusation and her ruined reputation, but Helen comforts her subtly by smiling at her whenever she passes by.

Reaction

I told you guys that Mr. Brocklehurst is evil. But I know what his problem is. He’s jealous! He must be balding or something, because he sure is fixated on the girls’ hair. In addition, the part about Helen smiling is confusing at first. Jane refers to Helen as “a girl” (72) and then talks about her as if she is a stranger for a line or two. It is very poetic, but I had a moment of confusion – seriously, read it. But the last sentence is awesome; want some ice for that burn, Miss Scatcherd?