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.