Jane Eyre And Mr Rochester

Jane Eyre, written in 1847, is a novel written in autobiographical style about
an orphan girl’s quest for love. The novel reflects contemporary life of that
period and everything that happens is seen from Jane Eyre’s, the protagonists
point of view. Although the story reflects the language, customs, and style of
the Victorian period, the elements of mystery, emotions and struggles transcend
time. The emotion of love is universal to all human beings and in not defined by
a period of time. It is written about similarly from century to century. For the
most part, people seek to be loved and to love. In this respect, Jane Eyre does
not differ. Webster’s dictionary defines a relationship as the mutual exchange
between two people who have dealings with one another. It is a common
observation that human beings have a multitude of different types of
relationships with the individuals they deal with. However, these relationships
are further delineated by gender, culture, age, social status, and authority. A
meaningful relationship between a girl and her girlfriends will generally be
different than the relationship of between her and her male peers. Another
characteristic of human relationships is that they are dynamic. Relationships
can change from day to day, season to season and year to year. At some point in
most individuals’ life they will seek a meaningful, romantic relationship
resulting in love, commitment, companionship and happiness. After a somewhat
hard childhood, deprived of affection, security and love, Jane enjoys much
comfort and freedom at Thornfield. However she continues to experience
restlessness and boredom until the arrival of Mr. Rochester. After a quiet,
reserved period, Jane and Mr. Rochester spend many hours in conversation. Jane
becomes alive in his attention, is stimulated by the challenges he offers and is
comfortable in arguing against his opinions. Throughout the first part of the
novel Jane is presented as exhibiting spiritual isolation . However, she seeks
to give and receive love from her surroundings and those in her surroundings. To
Jane love “is the power which sustains life.” Mr. Rochester confides to Jane
that he is in despair, believing himself doomed to suffer for his past sins.

Although he tells her of a love he once experienced, the love was jaded. Apart
from this brief confession, the reader is aware that Jane and Mr. Rochester’s
conversations are limited to general conversations regarding philosophy. It is
very evident to the reader in the first part of the novel that a mutual
attraction if felt by both Jane and Mr. Rochester. Although, until they can get
through some obstacles that stand in their way, the attraction the share will
not progress into a meaningful relationship; it will remain static. Jane
Eyre’s experiences with the male species is very limited. There do not appear
to be any significant males in her life prior to her arrival at Thornfield.

Therefore, she has no experience in the art of courting Mr. Rochester. He, on
the other hand, appears to have had at least one meaningful romantic
relationship (with Celine Varens) which he describes and confesses to Jane. The
love relationship ended when Rochester discovered that the woman did not really
love him, but loved his money and status. Furthermore, Rochester, from Jane’s
point of view, is being pursued by Blanche Ingram. At one point he suggests to
Jane that he may be marrying Blanche Ingram. The reader, given Jane’s
analytical observations, feels that Mr. Rochester is trying to get Jane to
reveal her feelings for him. However, Jane with her limited experience regarding
males and courtship does not see this. What is holding back the progression of
the relationship is pride and fear of rejected love. We know that Mr. Rochester
is intelligent, proud, and cynical. He hopes that Jane will understand his true
feelings about her and even goes to the extreme of dressing up as a gypsy in
order to find out if Jane really does love him. However, Jane does not see
through the deeper meaning of this deception and tells him very little of her
feelings. Once again, it is her pride that stops her. Many people would classify
this as a situation of “you tell me first.” As Rochester is more
experienced, is of higher social status, and in a superior position, he should
overcome his pride and reveal his feelings for Jane. Jane could do more to
reveal some of her feelings towards Rochester, however she is left with the
impression that he will marry Blanche Ingram. They will be in