:: reader response ..chapters 28-38

2. Compare and contrast St. John to Rochester. Who is the better choice for a husband for Jane? Why?

“He is not my husband, nor ever will be. He does not love me: I do not love him. He loves (as he can love, and that is not as you love) a beautiful young lady called Rosamond. He wanted to marry me only because he thought I should make a suitable missionary’s wife, which she would have not done. He is good and great, but severe; and, for me, cold as an iceberg. He is not like you sir: I am not happy at his side, nor near him, nor with him. He has no indulgence for me – no fondness. He sees nothing attractive in me; not even youth – only a few useful mental points” (Chapter 37, Page 451)

Jane is torn between two men, she is unable, at first, to decide whether she should follow her heart or accept St. John’s request and his oblation.  As mentioned in the above excerpt from the novel, in regards to Jane, St. John is as cold as an iceberg. There is no love or acceptance of Jane in the relationship. Whereas, Mr. Rochester truly adores Jane, she is the love of his life, and he treats her as his equal. You could define their love for each other as a passionate blazing fire. “And for all, Mr. Rochester sought her as if she has been the most precious thing he had in the world, he never could hear a word of her, and he grew savage,” (Chapter 36, Page 435).  Mr. Rochester completely changed after he lost Jane; he longed to have her back at his side.

I believe in the case of Jane’s happiness, she would be immensely happy with Rochester, as he offers her a lifetime of love without marriage, instead of a marriage without love. Rochester clearly proves to be a better choice as a husband for Jane, (“Literally I was (as he called me) the apple of his eye,” (Chapter 38, Page 459). Later on as discovered, Rochester and Jane are able to share more then just a bond by marriage, but Jane is fully her “her husbands life as fully as he is hers,”  (Chapter 38, Page 459). St. John only wanted to marry Jane for her use and holy purposes; he did not truly love her for her character and individuality. “I scorn your idea of love, I scorn the counterfeit sentiment you offer: yes, St. John, and I scorn you when you offer it,” (Chapter 34, Page 415-416) 

6. What about Jane leads to her happiness at the end of the novel?

Jane’s dignity, triumphs, independence and passion are all key factors that lead to her satisfaction at the end of the novel. Jane has proved herself to be a respectful woman who is capable of overcoming life long obstacles and achieving contentment. “He loved me so truly, that he knew no reluctance in profiting by my attendance: he felt that I loved him so fondly, that to yield that attendance was to indulge my sweetest wishes,” (Chapter 38, Page 459).

At the end of the novel, Jane is finally reunited with her love, Mr. Rochester, and he asks her hand in marriage again. As she finally agrees, I believe that Jane has at last discovered where her happiness belonged all this time; and of which was in the heart of Mr. Rochester. “No woman was ever nearer to her mate than I am: ever more absolutely bone of his bond, and flesh of his flesh. To be together is for us to be at once as free as in solitude, as gay as in company….we are precisely suited in character-perfect concord is the result,” (Chapter 38, Page 459).

The main reason behind Jane’s happiness and existence was because of her love for Rochester. She proved that love never fails, although there were many obstacles she had to overcome in order to face her love once again. Mr. Rochester was the one aspect that kept Jane living and strong, and in the end it was proven that they were both meant to be together.  The above picture conveys the message that love has its own way of happening.