Jane and Rochester's Relationship Development

Jane and Rochester relationship development

Chapter 12

·         Jane and Rochester’s first meeting is in chapter 12

·         They meet over ice which is the beginning of the metaphoric symbolism of fire and ice which is carried throughout the entire novel ‘life, fire, feeling, that I desired and had not in my actual existence.’ ‘They had slipped on the sheet of ice which glazed the causeway.’

·         supernatural elements surround their first meeting as Jane believes Rochester’s horse to be a Gytrash and Rochester believes Jane to be a witch and bewitching his horse, causing him to fall, forcing them to meet. ‘It was exactly one mask of Bessie’s Gytrash.’

·         Rochester is reliant on Jane for help and Jane is easily under Rochester’s influence thus starting their formidable romance as Rochester is reliant on her throughout the novel while Jane will inevitably do anything for Rochester.

Chapter 13

·         Rochester invites Jane to dinner and she is unsurprised at his rude personality, from this point we see the beginning of Jane and Rochester’s power struggle. ‘Mr Rochester would be glad if you and your pupil would take tea with him.’ ‘When you came on me in Hay Lane last night, I thought unaccountably of fairy tales, and half a mind to demand whether you had bewitched my horse.’

·         This mention of Jane bewitching Rochester shows their similarities in imagination.

·         Rochester is portrayed as powerful and as more authoritative than jane ‘’come to the fire’ said the master.’

Chapter 14

·         Rochester begins to show he is secretive and is potentially hiding something ‘for several subsequent days I saw little of Mr Rochester.’

·         ‘Replied to his question by something conventionally vague and polite; but the answer somehow slipped from my tongue before I was aware ‘no, sir.’’ Jane’s brutal honesty with Rochester shows her strong will against his equally strong will.

·         Rochester is very demanding of Jane ‘that is no answer; or rather it is a very irritating, because a very evasive one. Reply clearly.’

Chapter 15

·         A pinnacle chapter in which Jane saves Rochester from a mysterious fire which threatens his life ‘it was a door ajar; and that door was Mr Rochester’s, and the smoke rushed in a cloud from hence.’

·         Jane begins to come to terms with her emotions toward Rochester ‘suppose he should be absent spring, summer, and autumn: how joyless sunshine and fine days will seem!’

·         Jane also begins to realise Rochester may be hiding something as when she hears demonic laughter he denies that it is possible. ‘This was a demonic laugh – low, suppressed, and deep.-‘‘remain where you are till I return; be as still as a mouse. I must pay a visit to the third story. Don’t move, remember, or call anyone.’

·         Rochester tries his hardest to avoid Jane finding out the truth. ‘I am glad that you are the…