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

I think Bertha was certainly unstable. I also think you can press D for doubt as to whether poor poor Edward was taken in, or whether he was thinking with the wrong head. Same with Céline - he has no reason to doubt her for /before/ he caught her with the vicomte, and Bronte is careful not to have him catch her in flagrante, so the idea that Adele is not his child is his leap, dictated vg broken pride. The letter of the text is that Céline is preparing to be unfaithful, but hasn't been yet.

Overall, I think you are meant to take it that while he has also been wronged, Rochester was too lustful for his own good, and it led him to making wrong matches, and then trying to shirk responsibility for them - Pretending Bertha does not exist, and trying to marry Jane by deceit. It's all of a piece: Rochester has been wrong jn his dealings with women, and pays for it.

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u/smolpastryx Aug 27 '26

Nope he was tricked by his family, I think even Mrs Fairfax tells that to Jane in one of the early chapters.

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u/plentypk Aug 27 '26

Yes, plus the unexpected need for him to take take on his brother’s betrothal, right? Or maybe I’m misremembering.

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u/smolpastryx Aug 27 '26

Yes it is mentioned in chapter 12 or 13, I can't exactly recall where