Research Paper on "Charlotte Bronte S Jane Eyre Romance"

Research Paper 4 pages (1377 words) Sources: 5

[EXCERPT] . . . .

It is a concept of self-renunciation that is united to the idea of love, which paradoxically also flowers the concept of self-fulfillment and self-achievement (for love is something that is planted within Jane, that compels her to wonder, to think, to draw, to yearn, to escape into a world of books, or to imagine and play with the mystery that runs through life). It is indeed a mystery that Bronte explores -- the mystery of how self-renunciation and self-fulfillment should go together in the concept of love and service -- and the mystery is represented by Rochester himself. He is the most mysterious character in the novel, and what he is up to is often disguised (just as he disguises himself in the gypsy's costume in order to play a great trick on his guests -- but also in order to have a peak behind the veil that Jane uses to prudently guard herself from Rochester's prying).

Nonetheless, Jane does not yield to the presumptuous airs that Rochester displays and just because he is wealthy, elitist, powerful and privileged does not mean that she is going to readily submit to his every whim. It is this distance on her part that actually attracts him to her. She is unlike other girls who would readily line up in order to become Mrs. Rochester, drawn only by his status, wealth and privilege.

Moreover, the fact that he is a man, who is in this position, does nothing to necessarily command compliance, as far as Jane is concerned. On the surface, she is his employee and that is there is to the relationship. But underneath, through their conversations and getting to know one another in the same house, there is more going on that nudges them towards a more romantic relationship that has nothing to do with ownership, mastery, service, place, status, wealth or any other conceit. This is the overriding theme of Bronte's book -- the mystery of love, which transcends stations and status.

It is this which compels Jane to save Rochester when his room bursts into flames. The flames represent the dangerous passion that seethes just below Rochester's surface and which, it is hinted, is connected to the mysterious secret at the heart of the Hall; Jane's loyalty to Rochester in spite of his often menacing ways shows that she is neither afraid of him nor wholly resistant to him. Were she completely resistant to him, she would not have saved him from the flames, but she does save him and helps to restore him; at which point she yields control and command back to him; instead of fetching more help, she asks him what she should do: "Shall I call Mrs. Fairfax?" she asks (Bronte 283) -- right before she proceeds to be more assertive once he answers in the negative: "Then I will fetch Leah, and wake John and his wife" (Bronte 284). Rochester wants no one wakened -- but Jane is determined to find more help. Thus, she couples both subservience and determination/autonomy in her person; but in the end she yields to Rochester, as he softens and looks after her: "Not at all: just be still. You have a shawl on. If you are not warm enough, you may take my cloak yonder; wrap it about you, and sit down in the arm-chair," says Rochester (Bronte 284). It is this kind of concern for Jane that endears him to her; and her concern for him likewise endears her to him. It is a mutual affection that blooms out of the danger of passion and the ready and collected response to that passion (which Jane represents).

In this sense, Jane represents reason, principle, restraint and order -- which are all qualities that Rochester is in need of and finds in her. His boldness likewise inspires her, and they elevate one another, and this appears to be the support of Bronte's theme, which is that man and woman should support one another as they become one.

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