When Rochester invites his guests to his estate forces the reader to consider social class the most in the novel Jane Eyre. Previously, class had been a concern of Jane's while Rochester seemed to be unperturbed by the concept. When he hosts families of his own class his guests much more conscientious of the difference in their and Jane's social class. Particularly his female guests are aware of the fact that they have a superior social status to Jane's and assume that she is less intelligent because of her station. However, this passage reveals their own ignorance to basic social standards, which are to be polite to others, as they discuss Jane's flaws while she is still in the room. Of course Rochester is still aware that he is the master and Jane is the servant, but when they have their discussions he usually treats her as his intellectual equal. He also takes her into his confidence by revealing the parentage of Adele and his relationship with her mother, as well as his worry over the presence of Mason. This whole section also reveals a flaw of Mr Rochester's as he invites his guests so Miss Ingram can excite the jealousy of Jane. Most contradictory is that Jane doesn't have a very strong reaction to this revelation, even though she is depicted as somewhat rebellious and outspoken in earlier chapters. This can be explained by the simultaneous revelation that Mr Rochester cares for her in return, but affection should not excuse such behavior.
-Jasmine M
I liked the way you concentrated what was currently interesting you in Jane Eyre down to the exact conflict that Jane had to face when Rochester invited the other women to his house. I think, that although Rochester is sometimes clueless to Jane's true feelings, his character was put in the novel as an example of what a real man should be. Rochester portrays hope for Jane, because he treats her with a kindness and with a look of equality that she is not used to.
ReplyDelete- Shelby H