Skip to main content

What do you think would happen if the climax of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre changed?

I think most readers would agree that the dramatic climax of Jane Eyreoccurs just before the most frequently quoted line from this novel; that is to say, "Reader, I married him." The scene just prior to this finds Jane going back to Thornfield to see Rochester, and discovering that he has been injured and blinded in a fire that was set by his wife Bertha. Since his wife has died, Rochester is now free...

I think most readers would agree that the dramatic climax of Jane Eyre occurs just before the most frequently quoted line from this novel; that is to say, "Reader, I married him." The scene just prior to this finds Jane going back to Thornfield to see Rochester, and discovering that he has been injured and blinded in a fire that was set by his wife Bertha. Since his wife has died, Rochester is now free to marry Jane, without worrying about social stigma. But it is here that Jane makes a crucial choice. She could decide not to marry Rochester, who is much older than she, and now also physically disabled. After fleeing Thornfield, becoming lost on the moors, and being taken in by strangers, Jane regains her focus and confidence and realizes that, regardless of whether it is right or wrong, she loves Rochester and must see him again. When she hears about the fire, her sympathy is aroused. It is tempting to think that Jane's decision to marry Rochester is one born of pity. But this crucial scene shows that the two are very much equals; intellectually and emotionally, if no longer physically. 


It's hard to imagine a different ending to this novel. However, it seems plausible that another possible outcome might have been that Jane would decide not to marry Rochester, but to remain his friend. Her deep loyalty to the few people in her life who have been kind to her helps justify the decision she ended up making. But Jane's independence is her most significant quality, and remaining unmarried would also have been a plausible outcome. And yet, her depth of passion and feeling are also strongly featured in this story, and it seems right for her to marry the man she loves in the end.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more