Chapters 22-27

Chapters 22-27

Summary
Jane stays for a further month at Gateshead as Georgiana insists she cannot live alone with Eliza, whom later moves to her chosen convent and eventually, becomes Mother Superior. Georgiana marries a rich man. On returning to Thornfield Jane unexpectedly meets Mr Rochester who tells Jane of his new carriage for ‘Mrs Rochester’. Although Jane already knew about this, it succeeds only in deepening her belief that Rochester is to be married relatively soon to Blanche Ingram. She surprises herself when she announces how she is happy to be once again in his presence. After two weeks Jane is again walking I the orchard when she randomly meets Mr Rochester. He tells her of his plans for her too take up a new post and suggests Ireland of which Jane appears to be upset, angry and confused. Jane eventually confesses her love for Rochester and he asks her to marry him. At first reluctant to say yes, she accepts just as it begins to pour with rain. Rochester kisses Jane and when they reach the house he takes of her soaking coat and kisses her again but this time in the presence of Mrs Fairfax who is then cold towards Jane. The plans for the wedding are then made and Jane is having second-thoughts as she becomes increasingly aware that she is not financially equal and therefore inadequate to Rochester. Jane then tells him of a strange dream she had. This turns out to be half real, with Grace Poole apparently ripping Jane’s’ veil in two. The next day the wedding is abruptly stopped by a solicitor and Mr Mason who explain that Rochester is married to Mason’s sister Bertha. Rochester admits it is true, but also continues to say that Bertha is mad and he has kept her all the time in the attic, which thus explains all the strange events. Rochester led the wedding party to the house in order to show them Bertha and where he had been hiding her. After they leave Jane goes to her room where she cries in great misery and prays for God to be with her. Jane awakes in the morning and despite Rochester’s honesty and best efforts she leaves Thornfield.

Characters
Eliza is surprisingly kind to Jane. Finally we believe Jane is truly content yet she is also confused as Rochester used Blanche to almost deliberately trick her into deepening her feelings for him. Mrs Fairfax is motherly when she tries to make Jane see sense about getting married so quickly. Bertha is a key turning point in the novel as it is the discovery of her and the link between her and Rochester which causes Jane to leave

Themes & Motifs
The common theme of grief and despair has returned by the end of these chapters which is expected as with Jane we have come to expect nothing less. Love once again is prominent as Jane shows us how much she wishes to be loved. . Dreams and omens become a motif as we have seen them previously mentioned and Jane seems to suffer from very vivid and disturbing dreams.

Personal Response
The novel continues in much the same way as I left it in chapter seventeen- fast paced. However the constant contrast between Jane’s emotions is beginning to tire me. Bronte obviously created the character of Jane this way for a reason but I have found that I am becoming increasingly less fond of her once again. On the other hand I have found the general plot and storyline of these chapters most enjoyable to read.