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).