Themes: Passion and Love

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

Jane Eyre is an unusual work for its time in that it emphasized so strongly the idea that passion is an important, even crucial, part of a marriage. Marriage is a social and religious construct, and at the time, somebody like St. John Rivers would have been viewed as a perfect match for a girl like Jane. Both are intelligent, independent, morally upright, and selfless; they enjoy each other’s company and are perfectly respectable. What is interesting is that Jane rejects this perfectly reasonable proposition because she wants something else out of life and marriage—namely, love and passion.

Jane does feel passion for Mr. Rochester, which is why she returns to him, even after he has broken her heart with the revelation that he has a living wife. Such a revelation would have been scandalous at the time of the work’s publication, and yet more scandalous still is Mr. Rochester’s insistence to Jane that he and his wife, Bertha, should not be considered truly or morally married because of her madness and the fact that he was tricked into marrying her. Mr. Rochester is here suggesting that marriage cannot be real if conducted for money, status, or any of the other perfectly sound reasons that were often given for marriage before the twentieth century. Instead, he is proposing a new morality based on love.

Though she values passion, Jane is unwilling to sacrifice her dignity by rejecting the moral and social norms of the period. She rejects Mr. Rochester’s liberal approach to morality, keenly aware that no matter how he justifies it, the relationship he proposes leaves Jane in the position of a mistress.

This tension between passion and integrity is ultimately resolved when Bertha dies in the fire, granting Jane and Mr. Rochester the ability to pursue a passionate yet lawful and Christian relationship. However, it is clear that in the choice between a passionless relationship with St. John and no certain alternative, Jane would have defied the expectations of the time and chosen uncertainty, demonstrating a remarkable strength of character and a deep sense of self-awareness.

Expert Q&A

How does Bertha mirror Jane Eyre and what does she represent for Jane's relationship with Rochester?

Bertha is both a foil and mirror to Jane Eyre. She represents the angry self that Jane has rejected and repressed as an adult. Yet Jane had been like Bertha as a child, acting out in rage against patriarchy and imprisoned in the red-room, just as the rage-filled Bertha is imprisoned in the Thornfield attic. Rochester rejects Bertha without understanding her, while embracing the quiet, orderly Jane as the "good" wife he desires.

How are romance and realism blended in Jane Eyre?

Romance and realism are blended in Jane Eyre by combining Romantic elements like idealistic love and heroic characters with realistic elements such as Jane's harsh upbringing and financial struggles. The novel portrays romantic ideals through Jane and Rochester's relationship, while also depicting the realistic hardships they face, including societal constraints, mental health issues, and personal betrayals, ultimately leading to a nuanced and believable love story.

Contrast Jane's and Helen's views on earthly love in Jane Eyre.

Jane believes in loving those who are kind and resisting the cruel, following an "eye for an eye" philosophy. She struggles with forgiving those who wrong her, like Mrs. Reed and her son John. In contrast, Helen embraces Christian teachings of loving and forgiving enemies, arguing that violence and vengeance do not heal. She believes life is too short for grudges, finding peace in forgiving individuals, even if she disapproves of their actions.

What views on marriage does Charlotte Bronte present in Jane Eyre?

Charlotte Bronte presents marriage as a union between intellectual and spiritual equals. Jane Eyre struggles with the power imbalance marriage can create, as shown in her rejection of St. John due to his pride and superiority. Rochester, trapped in a loveless marriage with Bertha, mirrors what Jane fears. Ultimately, Jane marries Rochester because they are equals and complement each other's needs, highlighting Bronte's belief in mutual respect and understanding in marriage.

What factors, besides love, lead Jane to choose Rochester? Does she find true happiness?

Besides love, Jane chooses Rochester for his companionship, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional bond, and the balance between passion and reason. Her financial independence and Rochester's reduced status eliminate their previous inequality. St. John Rivers, representing reason without love, contrasts with Rochester, allowing Jane to appreciate the completeness she finds with Rochester. Jane achieves true happiness through her union with Rochester, where she feels at ease and fully alive.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Previous

Themes: The Search for Home

Next

Themes: Social Class

Loading...