Essay exploring how Bronte presents the relationship between Rochester and Jane, focusing on their meeting in chapter 12/13. Analyses the power imbalance in their relationship, their conflicting temperaments and the idea that their relationship is an equal one.
Explore how Bronte presents the relationship between Rochester and Jane, here and
elsewhere in the novel.
During Rochester and Jane’s first proper conversation there is initially an uncomfortable
atmosphere due to the power imbalance between the two and both of their argumentative
personalities. It contrasts the romance which blossoms later in the novel as their relationship
transforms. By the end of the extract they seem to have developed a mutual respect for each
other.
In the extract, we see the differences in their power and social status greatly exaggerated
due to Jane’s poor social standing and Rochester’s position as Jane’s employer and master
of the house. In his dialogue he is abrasive and shows little care for her feelings. He
questions her on her parents and when she replies ‘[she has] none’ and that she is a
‘charitable concern’ Rochester speaks to her in a mocking manner, as if he believed that as
she is of a low class there is no need for him to treat her with respect. He starts talking to her
about the ‘men in green’ and commenting on how they were ‘[her] people’, suggesting she is
an outcast from society. However the one who arrived instead was Rochester who is also an
outcast from society, having many of the Byronic hero’s characteristics, so he may be
implying that he is one of her people. As the novel progresses, Rochester discards his
classist views which were common amongst the upper-class in the Victorian era. He
proposes to Jane, despite her social standing, instead of the wealthy Ms Ingram who could
elevate his status. Nevertheless, he does not fully reform himself, as he promises to ‘attire
[his] Jane in satin and lace’ against her wishes, as he wants her to look worthy of being his
wife. The reader sees not only Rochester’s improvement but also what he was unable to
change.
The relationship is also presented as turbulent in the extract as both parties are very
argumentative and strong-willed. Rochester questions Jane in an interrogative tone of voice,
mocks her by calling her a witch and accuses her of causing his fall. From his dialogue it is
clear that he looks down on her and expects her to be meek and quiet. However that turns
out to be not at all the case as she is ‘tenacious of life’ and is able to match Rochester for
turn of phrase. She replies in very curt answers and it is clear that both view their
relationship as purely professional. Later in the novel though, their witty conversations take
on a romantic undertone as they begin to grow closer. Rochester is intrigued by Jane and
her courage, as he does not hold a prejudice against women unlike most of his time. He
orders Jane to ‘talk to [him] a little now, and divert [his] thoughts’ showing that he has come
to like Jane’s passion and brusque manner. The evidence for their developing bond is at the
end of the extract when Mrs Fairfax ‘[wondered] what sort of talk’ they were having yet both
Jane and Mr Rochester are able to speak as if it was perfectly normal. The reader can see
that their relationship has subtly become more flirtatious and romantic.
The final trait of the relationship that makes it radical among other 19th century literature is
that the relationship between Rochester and Jane is shown to grow to be equal. In the
extract, Rochester is portrayed as superior, due to his status as a rich male with property. He
attempts to assert his dominance over Jane by looking down on her and treating her as if
she is naive. He takes every opportunity to remind Jane of his power by not finishing his
questions, leaving Jane to infer his meaning and referring to Thornfield as ‘[his] house’. This
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