"As I rose and dressed, I thought over what had happened, and wondered if it were a dream. I could not be certain of the reality til I had seen Mr Rochester again and heard his renew his words of love and promise.
While arranging my hair, I looked at my face in the glass, and felt it was no longer plain: there was hope in its aspect and life in its colour; and my eyes seemed as if they had beheld the fount of fruition, and borrowed beams from the lustrous ripple. I had often been unwilling to look at my master, because I feared he could not be pleased at my look; but I was sure I might lift my face to his now, and not cool his affection by its expression. I took a plain but clean and light summer dress from my drawer and put it on: it seemed no attire had ever so well become me, because none had I ever worn in so blissful a mood." (Page 242)
Jane is happiest with Rochester. She feels as though he can complete her life and bring her more joy than she could ever dream of. Of course, this changes later in the book. This passage takes place before she finds out that Rochester had been previously married to Bertha and that their marriage will not take place. At this point, Jane is still naive and optimistic about her perfect future with Rochester. This passage is important in understanding how connected Jane feels to Rochester during this time before their first attempt at marriage and throughout the book as a whole. It helps the reader to understand why Jane is and always will be so drawn to Rochester.
Jane starts off this passage by stating that she "wondered if it were a dream." She couldn't believe that Rochester actually proposed to her and wanted to spend his life with her. Life with Rochester, something that she could have only dreamed of, was now a reality that she never thought she deserved or could have. This highlights that idea that Jane has of herself in regards to Rochester; to simply put it, he is her master and she his servant. Jane strives to please him and do whatever he desires of her. As the passage continues, Jane states that she was only certain of Rochester's love for her and the reality of their future marriage when he professed his love once again. Jane needed Rochester's reassurance and acknowledgement of his love for her to accept reality.
Afterward, Jane begins speaking about her physical appearance and how she sees a different person in the mirror now. She "felt [her face] was no longer plain: there was hope in its aspect and life in its colour," implying that Rochester has made her brighter and happier. However, this statement also implies that Jane was miserable and dull while without Rochester's love. Rochester seems to have brought Jane back to life, both physically and emotionally. She then mentions how her eyes sparkle now with Rochester around her.
The next statement of Jane's regards her previous fear of looking up at Rochester, her master. Since they have finally expressed their love for one another, she no longer feels afraid to look up at him and show her face. Jane states that she "feared he could not be pleased at [her] look," and Jane must do everything that pleases Rochester, nothing else. Jane then acknowledges how her clothing feels different and better since her newfound romance was announced. Her "plain but clean and light summer dress" felt completely new to her. She describes the sensation as: "it seemed no attire had ever so well become me, because none had I ever worn in so blissful a mood." Jane felt so happy and content with her life and future marriage that everything about herself seemed to be improved and brighter.
This passage shows how devoted to and content with Rochester that Jane was. As a result of this deep connection, it is easy to view the development of their relationship and makes sense of their re connection at the end of the novel. Their relationship dynamic is better understood through this passage as well. The characterization of Jane and how she feels about relationships is quite strong in this passage and certainly necessary to understand her character in a stronger manner.
Jane is happiest with Rochester. She feels as though he can complete her life and bring her more joy than she could ever dream of. Of course, this changes later in the book. This passage takes place before she finds out that Rochester had been previously married to Bertha and that their marriage will not take place. At this point, Jane is still naive and optimistic about her perfect future with Rochester. This passage is important in understanding how connected Jane feels to Rochester during this time before their first attempt at marriage and throughout the book as a whole. It helps the reader to understand why Jane is and always will be so drawn to Rochester.
Jane starts off this passage by stating that she "wondered if it were a dream." She couldn't believe that Rochester actually proposed to her and wanted to spend his life with her. Life with Rochester, something that she could have only dreamed of, was now a reality that she never thought she deserved or could have. This highlights that idea that Jane has of herself in regards to Rochester; to simply put it, he is her master and she his servant. Jane strives to please him and do whatever he desires of her. As the passage continues, Jane states that she was only certain of Rochester's love for her and the reality of their future marriage when he professed his love once again. Jane needed Rochester's reassurance and acknowledgement of his love for her to accept reality.
Afterward, Jane begins speaking about her physical appearance and how she sees a different person in the mirror now. She "felt [her face] was no longer plain: there was hope in its aspect and life in its colour," implying that Rochester has made her brighter and happier. However, this statement also implies that Jane was miserable and dull while without Rochester's love. Rochester seems to have brought Jane back to life, both physically and emotionally. She then mentions how her eyes sparkle now with Rochester around her.
The next statement of Jane's regards her previous fear of looking up at Rochester, her master. Since they have finally expressed their love for one another, she no longer feels afraid to look up at him and show her face. Jane states that she "feared he could not be pleased at [her] look," and Jane must do everything that pleases Rochester, nothing else. Jane then acknowledges how her clothing feels different and better since her newfound romance was announced. Her "plain but clean and light summer dress" felt completely new to her. She describes the sensation as: "it seemed no attire had ever so well become me, because none had I ever worn in so blissful a mood." Jane felt so happy and content with her life and future marriage that everything about herself seemed to be improved and brighter.
This passage shows how devoted to and content with Rochester that Jane was. As a result of this deep connection, it is easy to view the development of their relationship and makes sense of their re connection at the end of the novel. Their relationship dynamic is better understood through this passage as well. The characterization of Jane and how she feels about relationships is quite strong in this passage and certainly necessary to understand her character in a stronger manner.
This was a very fascinating dive into Jane's character. It is a little heartbreaking how much of herself has become dependent on Mr. Rochester (a lot more than I originally realized), seeing as she is only pages away from cutting all ties with him. Great analysis!
ReplyDeleteThis analysis is great, nothing I would disagree with! You really got down to the core of Jane's love for Rochester and analyzed each thought she had with clarity and depth. I like your third paragraph the best because it highlights the effect Rochester has had on Jane that one might not have seen originally. The passage you chose was important to the novel and your analysis made it even more important. Good job!
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