READING JOURNAL - Jane Eyre - Chapters 22...28

Summary:
Jane stays a Gateshead for a while longer, but soon travels back to Thornfield after Georgiana and Eliza leave to start their separate lives. Jane is certain that Rochester plans to marry Blanche; and she worries what will happen to their friendship, her job etc.
When Jane sees Rochester, she tells him that he is ultimately her ‘home’ - “I am strangely glad to get back again to you; and wherever you are is my home—my only home.” This is a clear indication of Jane’s feelings towards Rochester; she feels at home with him, comfortable and secure. There is a ‘weird’ scene in the garden at Thornfield. Rochester asks Jane to ‘walk and talk’ with him, she is caught off guard so kindly accepts. He tells jane that he is going to marry blanche Ingram. He explains to Jane that there is a job for governess going in Ireland and that she should take it. Jane is mortified and tells Rochester that she fears she may not be able to cope as Ireland is too far away from Thornfield. Jane confesses her feelings to Rochester, expressing her love for Thornfield and her desire to be near him because she loves him. Then Rochester, despite having told Jane he is going to marry Blanche, proposes to Jane. She thinks he is making a mockery of her and her emotions. He then admits he lied about marrying Blanche, so Jane would confess her feelings towards Rochester. Jane accepts and is probably dreaming of living happily ever after. A huge storm happens, so they return to Thornfield, Mrs Fairfax sees them kiss when inside. Perhaps the storm could be a concealed indication of the outbreak of troubles that are to come. Also, during the storm that night, some lightning splits the tree that they were sitting under earlier. This could be a possible warning of problems arising under the surface. Mrs Fairfax becomes distant towards Jane; this is probably as she already knows about Rochester’s past. Jane feels uncomfortable about the marriage and seems to be getting cold feet, she writes to her uncle John Eyre possibly out of security, so she’ll then feel she’ll not be reliant on Rochester’s wealth. Strange events occur in the lead up to the wedding, Jane has these unusual dreams – one where a child is crying in her arms and Jane is trying to get to Rochester. In the second dream the child falls. When Jane awaked she saw a ‘creature’ in her wardrobe – it was a strange looking woman who took Jane’s wedding veil and ripped it in half. Jane tells Rochester, he says that it probably was Grace Poole. He tells her that he will explain all to her in time. Their wedding day comes, when the ‘audience’ is asked whether anyone knows of a reason why they cant be married, Mr Briggs - a solicitor says that Rochester is already married. Mr Mason then speaks and says that Rochester is married to Bertha his sister. Rochester admits that he is already married, but his ‘wife’ is crazy and she is kept locked away in the 3rd floor of the house. He invites everyone to Thornfield to show them Bertha, so they can all see how mad she is. Jane leaves the third floor and decides she must leave Thornfield. Rochester is waiting outside her room for her and explains that he didn’t mean to have caused her any hurt. Jane is ignorant towards him but she tells us that she forgives him. Rochester tells Jane of the true events of the past, his brother sent him to marry Bertha, who was an heiress, but he was told her mother was dead but actually she was in a mental place. Bertha eventually became like her mother. Jane knows that Rochester cares for her more than anyone else does, her thoughts on her self respect get the better of her and she leaves. After a while of wandering, Jane eventually comes to a house in the moors. Jane collapses, the servant Hannah refuses to let her in but St John takes her in. She tells them her name is Jane Elliot.

Characters:
St. John Rivers - Is introduced, he takes Jane in after running away from Rochester and Thornfield.

Bertha Mason - Rochester’s estranged wife, Bertha was a wealthy Creole heiress. She turned mad, and violent. She resides at Thornfield on the third floor, locked in a secret room.

Mr Mason - Bertha’s brother. Mason is at Rochester and Jane’s wedding with Mr Briggs. He stops the wedding and explains to everyone about Bertha.

Mr. Briggs - helps Mr Mason prevent the wedding. He is a solicitor sent by Jane’s uncle, John Eyre.

Diana Rivers - Diana is Jane’s cousin. She has just been introduced along with her siblings.

Mary Rivers - Mary is also Jane’s cousin, and Diana and St. Johns sister.

Themes/symbols/motifs:
Marriage – For obvious reasons – the twists. Rochester’s marriage to Bertha comes up a lot and is revealed. Also, Jane and Rochester’s own wedding plans do not run as they should; strange things are going on around Thornfield. When the wedding day does finally arrive, it doesn’t actually end with Rochester and Jane married

Money/Culture/inheritance – In this section of the novel, Jane writes to her uncle John Eyre in the hope he has money for her, so she is not just dependent and reliant on Rochester. Maybe Jane feels that if she had her own money and wealth, she wouldn’t feel so uncomfortable about the idea of becoming Rochester’s wife. Also, this theme comes up when Rochester explains about Bertha. His father and brother sent him to marry her as she was a wealthy heiress, however, he thought he loved Bertha after becoming enchanted by her beauty although he was not told her mother were mental and she would become the same eventually.

Self worth – Despite her life and her tribulations, Jane still knows the value of self worth. For example, she loves Rochester and tells the reader that she forgives him instantly when he apologises about the wedding being stopped and her finding out about Bertha. However, to protect herself and what is left of her self respect she leaves Thornfield, despite still wanting to be there deep down.

Dishonesty – This phase of the book is full of lies and deception. There is no need to explain them as they are clearly evident from the text i.e. Rochester hiding his marriage to Bertha, lying that he was going to marry Blanche etc
Dreams – There is a number of significant dreams and day-dreams. Dreams forewarn Jane of trouble or good fortune, and they reveal Jane's passionate inner self to the reader along with her inner hidden thoughts. They can serve as reflections of Jane's emotions. Despite their commonness, Jane tries to separate her dreams from her waking life.

Developments:
Jane has come along way since the beginning of the novel. At first she was an orphaned young girl with no money, wealth, beauty or love. She has now found love with Rochester and plans to marry him. Though, Jane is still strong minded as she still holds a sense of her self-worth and dignity. She is frequently tested throughout the novel. Brontë probably created Jane Eyre as a means of coming to terms with parts of her own life. Jane has been proven stronger than Rochester throughout this part of the novel…yes he may have more wealth and social status than her but as intellectuals they’re equal. Jane meets with a series of forces that threaten her liberty, integrity, and happiness – yet she still manages to come out on top – this I feel is most likely what keeps me as the reader interested…wandering what life is going to throw at her next or give or take away from her.