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).
Rochester is so hilarious and strange! I also think it's weird that he was able to disguise himself as an old lady so well. I mean, I know it was dark in the room, but still.
ReplyDeleteAll the phrenology in this book is amusing. I know it was regarded as a real science and stuff in this time, but it's weird to hear people being like, "Wow, he has such a fantastic and large forehead!" XDD