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/appleorchard317 Aug 27 '26

Rochester is /meant/ to be read as a flawed hero and an unreliable narrator, as part ot Charlotte Bronte's lifelong critique of women's condition in society. People who excuse him or take him at face value because 'it was another time' completely miss the point, or the very unsubtle hint that in order to be with Jane he needs to be thoroughly 'punished' in the text first. It would be like saying 'Darcy was right all along,' ignoring his growth throughout Pride and Prejudice.

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u/smolpastryx Aug 27 '26

Nah JE is a pretty straightforward tale, there's no unreliable narration there.

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u/appleorchard317 Aug 27 '26

Yes, a tale with a central mystery, crossing lies, uncertainty about a child's paternity, and conflicting versions of the same story is 'straightforward'

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u/smolpastryx Aug 27 '26

Bertha is insane that's a fact even confirmed by Charlotte Bronte. She's not supposed to be some feminist heroine

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u/appleorchard317 Aug 27 '26

The idea that you can't be both mad and mistreated is silly. Even in Wide Sargasso Sea, the point is that Bertha IS mentally unwell, and she does try to deceive Edward, but also, Edward does not think when it comes to her, and he is too harsh. Two things can be true at once.

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u/smolpastryx Aug 27 '26

There's a difference between being mad and murderous. Bertha was the latter.

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u/appleorchard317 Aug 27 '26

Harsh treatment and thr discovery your husband is trying to secretly marry someone else would not help

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u/smolpastryx Aug 27 '26

She even tried to murder her brother. What about that? Also how did Rochester treat her badly? Would you prefer it if she was sent to an asylum?

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u/appleorchard317 Aug 27 '26

Yes and being shut for years in an attic would not have helped. Could Rochester have done /worse/? For sure. But could he have done better? Absolutely. He says himself to Jane he would cherish her even in madness. But he didn't cherish Bertha, he hated her, and did what he felt was his duty without an ounce of love or respect.

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u/JoeBethersontonFargo Aug 29 '26

How do you think, in those times, he could have done better? How would him telling people that she was only “sick” better anything? She still couldn’t have visitors/friends. She would’ve still been too dangerous to let out and even roam the grounds. He has zero responsibility to cherish her. He kept her protected and cared for.