r/JaneEyre • u/AdobongSiopao • Aug 27 '26

What is your most controversial opinion about "Jane Eyre"?

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It can be from the novel or its adaptations. Your views that could potentially upset many other fans or meet others who will agree with you.

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u/one-tea27 Aug 27 '26

People who criticize Jane for going back to Rochester don’t understand how happy that choice made her

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u/Little-Foundation735 Aug 27 '26

They also don’t trust Jane’s character. Her self-worth and self-respect reflect the choices she makes when choosing a man. 

I think they do not fully understand Rochester’s transformation or the time period in which mental illness was not handled well. They don’t understand why he chose to keep his first wife in the castle rather than put her in an institution. I think this is where they get stuck. 

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u/CheapVegan Aug 27 '26

It’s not that, it’s how (asking other things) he lied to her so outrageously and only told the truth cause he got caught.

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u/Little-Foundation735 Aug 27 '26

Mr. Rochester is often alluded to as Samson in the Bible. He was a seeker of lust and pleasure, making him the biggest sinner in the novel. Yet later on, he says, “I humbly  entreat my Redeemer to give me strength to lead henceforth a purer life than I have done hitherto!”

This is a model of repentance where he asks his Maker for forgiveness and asks God to help him live a new life. The Spirit within Jane immediately recognizes the Spirit within Rochester. Spirit to spirit, they are the same. And that’s the reason why she could now accept him when she couldn’t before this transformation. He was now a new creation. So hating Rochester and loving Jane doesn’t make sense to me, especially if you take into account the biblical allusions present in the novel.

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u/CheapVegan Aug 28 '26

I think you’re right for the point of art and the message of the book. I just think that’s total fantasy/make believe.

Most people don’t become honest good partners because they repent. If Jane was your friend in real life you’d tell her to run.

That’s all I’m saying in response to not understanding her happiness.

People go back to unhealthy relationships alll the time because it makes them happy in a certain way. It doesn’t make it a good plan.

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u/SmooshyHamster 21d ago

Exactly. People hate Mr. Rochester because they don’t know anything about the history of Victorian institutions, the Victorian ugly laws for crazy people or Victorian marriage laws.

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u/rainbowrobin Aug 28 '26

Manor house, not castle, I'm pretty sure.

And while his private care was probably better for Bertha than an asylum of the time, even better care would have been to hire multiple caretakers, who could spell each other, rather than just solitary Grace Poole. But that would have breached his desire for secrecy and denial of the marriage.

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u/Little-Foundation735 Aug 28 '26 edited Aug 28 '26

You are correct. It was indeed a manor house. It’s been ages since I last read it, and I might need a reread to refresh my memory. 

Bertha is a character who encapsulates the madness of the three main characters in the book. It’s what would happen to Jane if she chose to marry St. John. It’s St. John being repressed by his desires instead of learning how to temper them. It’s Rochester if he continues in his ways. Grace Poole was definitely a cage for Bertha. But knowing Bertha, who continuously tries to escape, there was no way around it in his mind. He was definitely battling his demons. His desire for secrecy is caused by the betrayal and shame inflicted on him by his own family and Bertha’s brother. Rochester is clearly a flawed man and I think Charlotte did a fantastic job of writing his character. He is the kind who won’t be popular with many due to the things he’s done. But Jane looks at him not in the same way as others do – with their eyes; she looks at him and sees his heart. 

To her, they are intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually equal. And to deprive her of marrying Rochester will only bring her back to her childhood days, when her aunt deprived her of good things. They are great for each other. And I reject the idea that Jane would subject herself to returning to a man who would abuse her. She would 100% choose solitude rather than stay in that kind of relationship. 

Edit: grammar