Jane finally says yes.

As you know, Jane goes back to Thornfield and finds out that Thornfield has been burned down. So she stays in an inn and finds out what has happened to Thornfield, Bertha sets the house on fire, Mr. Rochester saves his servants and try's to save Bertha, but she jumps off the roof. As a consequence Mr. Rochester loses a limb and is blind. He lives deep in the forest with his servants when Jane finds him, she notices that he looks different by his face. The next day Jane and Mr. Rochester walk through the woods and he proposes to her again and she finally says yes. I guess what Charlotte Bronte was saying is that love is not from the looks, it's their personality.

The Last Tale of Jane Eyre

As sad as it is, the last chapter has crept upon us. Reading the last chapter was pretty interesting because both good and bad things have happened or surprised me at the least. Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester have finally been hitched, but things aren't going as I thought would have happened in the 10 year timeline. Things start out to go well at first: Mary and Diana still talk to Jane, and Jane and Mr. Rochester are happily married. From earlier in the book, a young French girl, Adele, used to be very sweet and kind. When Jane goes to visit Adele, she has become a very sour unpleasant young woman. It's quite weird when she used to be a very nice girl who seemed innocent when she was first introduced in the book. Later on in the chapter, I found out that Mr. Rochester's sight has almost gone away, and then it starts healing. His appearance has changed also when he had lost some limbs, and my response goes back to what Latrell said in the class discussion: "Charlotte Bronte makes it known to us that looks may not stay the same, but the love for each other does". It really puts in the perspective that looks don't matter, and Jane has come to accept that. I believe that she has grown as a character because she has overcome her problems that troubled her when she was young at the beginning of the book.

Jane Eyre can be Loyal and St John can be Rude!

One day, St John asks Jane to give up her study of German and instead to learn “Hindustani” with him; The language he is learning to prepare for missionary work in India. As time goes by, St. John exerts a greater and greater influence on Jane. His power over her is almost astonishing. This leaves Jane feeling empty, cold, and sad, but she follows his wishes. At last, he asks her to go to India with him to be a missionary—and to be his wife. She agrees to go to India as a missionary, but says that she will not be his wife because they are not in love. St. John brutally insists that she marry him, he also states that to refuse his proposal is the same as to negate the Christian faith.

Jane also hides things

St John says that he has received a letter from a lawyer named Mr. Briggs announcing that it is very important that this "Jane Eyre" be found. Jane is only obsessed in whether Mr. Briggs has sent news of Rochester, but St. John says that Rochester’s well-being is not at issue. Jane Eyre must be found because her uncle, John Eyre, has died, leaving her the fortune of 20,000 pounds.Jane reveals herself to be Jane Eyre, knowing that St. John has guessed already. She asks him how he knew. St John shows her the scrap of paper he tore from her drawing the previous day.

Diana and Mary

While I read Chapter 34, it seems that Diana and Mary have become closer to Jane than how they were when they first met. The first time they met, they weren't that accompanied by her because she seemed like beggar on the streets that just needed shelter. I believe these two characters have grown because they are more likable characters; in my taste. "Diana and Mary are delighted with the improvements Jane has made at the school" (ch. 34). I believe that this quote tells us that they view Jane as an "improvement" from before. Being invited into a house where you know no one and still be accepted is an honor  because those kind of people don't show up just anytime.

Character Analysis about St. John

As we have read about St. John in Jane Eyre, he is a very distant man that puts up a front. As I read about him in the late chapters of Jane Eyre, I realize that he is very interested in his work, but doesn't seem like the kind of man to be married with the kind of ambition he has. Though at times, he can be somewhat kind, as to letting Jane Eyre stay for a while, he still is cold and doesn't reveal how he feels openly. St. John can create a lot of opportunity compared to Jane because he is off to travel to India, where change can begin. St. John compared to Mr. Rochester are both opposite, though they both propose to Jane, because Mr. Rochester is a romantic while St. John is not really into that type of attention.

St. John Rivers' Calling

The proposal may be a surprise, but the impulse is good, right? Or is it? Do you think that the missionary zeal that St. John shows gives a positive view of Christianity? Is he an admirable character, a positive religious model?

What's going on with Sinjin and Rosamond

Sinjin meets Rosamond at the Morton. Sinjin thinks that he made a wrong decision about his career choice, until he a "calling" from God that changed his mind on becoming a missionary. Jane notices that every time Sinjin and her would talk, Rosamond would interrupt their conversation and from that their interctions caused Jane to think that they're in love. During Ch.32, Sinjin finally declares that he is in love with Rosamond and is tempted by her beauty, but he thinks she wouldn't be a great wife for a missionary because of her shallowness, flirtatious, and sillyness.

Is Jane stuck in the past?

Chris_Millan: In chapter 32, Jane is more familiar and more attached to her students. Jane becomes popular among them. Jane teaches her students elements of Grammar, Geography, History, and Fine kinds of needlework. But even with all that, Jane still has nightmares that involve Mr. Rochester. Why is she having these Dreams constantly? Does Jane regret when she decided to leave Mr. Rochester? Would she throw all of this away to start over?

Jane & St John

Chris_Millan: Jane's relationship with St John is more proper than that with his sisters. She admires his intellect and commitment. However, after hearing him preach, Jane discovers that St. John(Sinjin) has not yet found peace or contentment. Rather she hears anxiety, disappointment, and "troubling impulses of insatiate yearnings and disquieting aspirations". In a conversation with Jane, St. John acknowledges that he wishes for a larger life, that he is fed up with parish duties, and that there is a distinction between his desire and his preaching. Like Jane, he must find a way to accommadate the adverse demands of reason and passion.

Who is St. John(Sinjin)

St. John is introduced in Ch. 28 when Jane knocks on his door helplessly, wanting food and shelter. Sinjin then says something to Jane about all men deserve to die, except for the ones that are needy for a helpless matter, such as Jane at at the moment. Sinjin then opens the door to give Jane shelter and food, he also has two sisters by the name of Diana and Mary that also help Jane along with Sinjin. They ask her all sorts of questions like asking for Jane's name, but Jane gives them false information and coming up with the name of Jane Elliot. During Ch. 29, Jane finally tells the truth to Hannah- the girl that judged Jane because of her helplessly acts- and apologizes to Jane about he mistake. Sinjin then promises Jane that he will find her a job. Overall, it seems that St. John(Sinjin) is a helpful and caring person towards Jane.

Free Response on Jane's Encounter with St. John

Chapter 28 is where Jane is exhausted and feels as if she is going to die of exhaustion on the cabin doorstep. She is then found inside where St. John let her inside to feel refreshed and well. From being judged in the past, she is mad at Hannah, one of the German maids, for judging her and leaving her outside to die. As any other human would do to a stranger they encounter, they question her, but she is not faithfully honest to all of their questions. She goes by the name Jane Elliot in the Moor House household. Jane is homeless now: lack of money, food, and supplies. Being the nice man that gave Jane the impression of St. John, he kindly lets her stay the night, and he promises her a job in the morning. Feeling sorry for how she lied to them, she then retells the story, and tells them her real name. I feel that Jane’s is on a roll on staying true to her feelings and instincts; she realizes that lying doesn’t get you anywhere, as Mr. Rochester has demonstrated. Jane Eyre is not just any normal character; she has feelings and a heart. It makes me happy to know that she isn’t hiding behind herself so that she can just get by, but to know that even if she is alone, she still has herself and always will.

Class Discussion on Chapter 27

After reading Chapter 27, you must have an opinion regarding Jane's decision. Mr. Rochester works hard to persuade her to stay, but she does not. Comment on the reasons her decision make sense, given the nature of the society in which she lived.


Cierra: After reading Chapter 27 about how Jane leaves Mr. Rochester, I began to believe that she left so that she would not make a fool after herself and always go with what is given to her. Mr. Rochester was looking for a rebound for being a fool to marry Bertha. But soon after he meets Jane, he believes to have found the one; loving her instantly. Jane didn't grow up with much, but she grew up with confidence, and it certainly didn't go to waste. I believe that Jane learned that love doesn't come easily, but just because it's rare to find it, doesn't mean that you need to say yes to every man that confesses his love to her.

Jane Eyre and The Romantic Movement

Chapter 27 is a great one in many ways. I'm sure you'll want to blog about the moral dilemma Jane faces and the "debate". However, please also take a few minutes to comment on how this chapter adds to our view of Bronte as a writer of the Romantic Movement. Imagination, nature, symbolism, myth, emotion, individualism, the everyday and the exotic - what shows up here?

Mr. Rochester's Unexpected Proposal

In chapter 23, Mr. Rochester asked Jane if she would like to go for a stroll in the garden. Jane is caught off-guard to his request, but accepts anyway. They walk to the bench near the chestnut tree and Mr. Rochester converses about the job that is opened in Ireland- a governess position. Jane "distress[es] at the great distance that separates Ireland from Thornfield". I think that Mr. Rochester is making Jane want to stay in Thornfield because I believe that he does really like her deep inside. Though I don't think that Jane gets the hint that he actually wants her to stay until he then proposes to her. While reading this, I thought that is was quite queer as how he asked her when the marriage of Blanch and him was being postponed for the time. Jane desisted at first, wondering why he was teasing her, but he convinces her that what he was asking was no joke. Jane's fall for it, and she giddily says yes. If it were me in her shoes; I would've said no because I know that he was going to marry someone else. It would make me feel as if he were a player; just trying to get all of the girls that feel bad for themselves. But then again; if you had a secret crush on him from the start, I wouldn't be surprised to hear myself say yes. 

Mrs. Reed: Friend or Foe?

As Jane Eyre grows up with Mr. and Mrs. Reed, Jane's aunt and uncle. After Mr. Reed's death, Mrs. Reed becomes very mean to Jane-an unexplainable hatred. The story soon progresses, as Jane starts attending school and befriending Mr. Rochester; Mrs. Reed falls ill. Considering her feelings towards Mrs. Reed as a child; Jane doesn't really give a second thought at first as to giving in to Mrs. Reed. Though Jane has grown to think as being the better person, she knows that hatred is a very strong feeling, and she sure didn't enjoy being hated every minute when she was a young child. It is soon revealed that Mrs. Reed's sour behavior is from the better treatment of Jane compared to her children. I believe that Mrs. Reed isn't a likable person because she only thinks of herself. Jane has gone through a hard enough time from being an orphan, and now the mistreatment of her aunt. It seems to me that Mrs. Reed's real nature towards Jane is pure jealousy. She only cares about herself and her own children; when I believe that Jane is truly apart of this family and should be considered one of Mrs. Reed's children.

Carlo Efe: Mr and Mrs. Reed are Jane's uncle and auntie which she grew up with. Jane hates her life living with her uncle and auntie, and it causes bad times with them. It begins when Mr. Reed dies in the red room-- a room for punishment-- everything went down hill between Jane and Mrs. Reed. Mrs. Reed has a vigorous hatred towards Jane, for example Mrs. Reed ordered her two maids-- Bessie and Abbot-- to bring Jane to the Red room. As soon as Jane leaves to attend Lowood(boarding school) Mrs. Reed becomes very sick. During this dreadful time for Mrs. Reed, Jane finds out that Mrs. Reeds actions towards Jane because she wasn't worthy to be cared well. I leave this to you, do you think Mrs. Reed is a friend or a foe?

Writer of Conscience

Jane may not be as overtly Christian as Helen Burns, but she has a strong sense of morality. She is concerned about character. She comments also on Mr. Rochester's warning, "Beware remorse." Let's keep an eye on Jane's inner struggle with conscience, and I'd like to hear from all of you about the values that she considers important.

Character Analysis about Bessie

Cierra: In Jane Eyre, the character Bessie is the caretaker of the children in Gateshead. Though Bessie has a job to do chores around the house, and help the kids; she also has a mouth like no other. She is a very opinionated women who judges the children she takes care of by their attitude and especially their looks. The other servant, Abbot, has willingly agreed to these harsh judgments; "if she were a nice, pretty child, one might compassionate her forlornness; but one really cannot care for such a little toad as that". Bessie can be really nice at times, but she sometimes is a backstabber to Jane. At one point in chapter 3, Jane woke up to be in her room, and there was Bessie beside her. Jane isn't feeling well, but of course no one believes her because she gets blamed for everything. The servants Bessie and Abbot act cordially towards Jane, but when they leave the room they start to talk about how Jane just wants the limelight. They act as if Jane is trying to take advantage of the family by being an orphan and not having any family members, so people should feel sorry for her.

Chris M:In Charlotte Brontës novel Jane Eyre, Bessie Lee is a maid at Gateshead(Mrs.Reeds House). Bessie is frequently required to take care of Jane, and is her main source of enjoyment as a child. She is nicer to Jane more often than any other resident at the mansion. At times, Bessie sings to her and tells her stories of fairies, which Jane always finds pleasure in. Once, she even criticizes Mrs. Reed for being too harsh on Jane, which shows that she has sympathy towards the mistreated girl. Because of Bessie’s kindness, Jane appreciates her more than the other ruthless inhabitants of Gateshead. To Me, Bessie is a perplex character.

Carlo Efe: Bessie, from the novel Jane Eyre, is a nurse for Mrs. Reed's children including Jane. She's not the best type of nurse you can find because she has a really bad temper and is very strict. Although she's not the perfect nurse there can be, She's the closest thing/symbol as a mother/friend to Jane while she's living at Gateshead. Bessie can be a two face at time, here's a quote Bessie says to Jane, " You ought to be aware, Miss, that you are under obligations to Mrs. Reed, she keeps you, if she were to turn you off, you would have to go to the poor-house." Bessie can sometimes be very harsh to Jane, although Bessie cares for Jane. To conclude this blog, Bessie is a complicated character in this novel.

"Too Good To Be True"?

If Helen Burns seems "too good to be true" to you, how does that reflect on either the narrator's perception or the author's development of character? Are there other characters in the first 8 chapters that seem too "flat" to you? What expectations do you have of the balance of the novel, given the characters you've met so far?

If Helen burns seems too good to be true, I believe that it would be difficult to have the character develop in the story. Having a character with a lot of well-rounded qualities would be difficult for the author because there isn't much more additional characteristics you could add to that character. In the next chapters of Jane Eyre, other characters seem to be able to develop if they have a certain disability in the story that is really essential. If Jane Eyre was a story about becoming confident in yourself, and she starts off having very low self-esteem, it would be really easy on the author to have her character develop throughout the story. Though the author could just talk about how she can develop; it shows through the problems or conflicts she faces. As far as my group has read so far, I believe that that the balance of characters would be uneven at times if the author were to introduce a very well-rounded character, like Helen Burns, compared to Jane Eyre whom doesn't own as many good qualities as she does.

Carlo Efe: Helen Burns is very smart, calm, and caring, but most of all she is religious. She is also Jane's best friend in the Lowood institute, and she compares Helen as a walking New Testament. For the people who don't know what a New Testament is, it's a section in the Bible where it talks about during Jesus times and his teachings, basically it's the new part of the Bible. Helen is a very optimistic person because though she is treated severely bad from Miss Scatcherd, she doesn't take it offensively. She is also open minded, what i mean by that is she tries to observe things from other people's perspective. Jane is confused by Helen's personality, which makes her " too good to be true." I'll ask you this, do you have any friends or people you know that is religious, optimistic, and open minded? If you didn't know this, the way Helen affects the author is her character is based from the author's sister Maria who died young. As what Cierra said in the first paragraph, " I believe that that the balance of characters would be uneven at times if the author were to introduce a very well-rounded character, like Helen Burns, compared to Jane Eyre whom doesn't own as many good qualities as she does."