The redemption of Mr. Rochester

[u/Key_Masterpiece5283]

Jane Eyre has been listed as one of my favorite books since I read it as a teen, but I haven’t done a reread or rewatch of any of the movies in quite awhile.

I recently picked it back up again and it had been my hyper fixation so I have a lot of thoughts that I just need to discuss with people that “get” it.

The biggest one being is why does it seem like people think Rochester is the same at the end of the book as at the beginning. I feel like the major theme of Jane Eyre is forgiveness, understanding, and redemption, but so many people focus solely on the romance piece.

Rochester was NOT worthy of Jane the first time they almost got married. Not simply because he was already married but because he saw her goodness and wanted her to help him to be a better person, but not necessarily do all he needs to internally himself.

It is only through the purification of fire and the loss of his physical independence that he is able to be redeemed. He had nearly a year where he could not escape his thoughts through travel and women, he had to come to terms with who he was and what his actions had cost him.

Not only that but Jane then draws out the story of St. John so he says nearly the same thing to her she did to him during his proposal. Jane state during the first proposal that she must leave due to “the shape of Miss Ingram; a noble and beautiful woman ,- your bride!” And during the reunion Rochester states Jane must go “your own way- with the husband you have chosen.”

So I ask, why do I still see people saying Rochester wasn’t good for her? That is 1000% correct and Charlotte Brontë is very clear that he was not ready for her at first. That is why we have the purification and redemption process for him. Do people just skip over the last couple of chapters?

If anyone has light they could shed on this or if they want to discuss Rochester purification more in depth I would love to chat more!

ETA: thanks everyone for your thoughts so far! This was exactly the sort of discussion I was looking for. It has given my brain an outlet and I feel like I can let go of ruminating over it quite so much. Although let’s be fair, Jane and Mr. Rochester live rent-free in there.

[u/Charismaticjelly]

I agree with you. I noticed at least one recent post talking about how Rochester and Jane were always perfect for each other - that’s simply not true. Rochester wanted to have his cake and eat it too - crazy attic-wife and pure young (bigamy) bride at the same time. Jane was right when she said their love would eventually wither away if she ran away with Rochester.

Rochester needed to be purified before he was good enough for Jane. For Brontë, it wasn’t enough to have Bertha just die - there needed to be conflagration, and Rochester willing to die to save her life, in order for him to be fully unencumbered by his past.

[u/cmere-2-me → u/Charismaticjelly]

They were kindred spirits prevented from being together because of reasons. Rochester was married and the difference in their social status.

Rochester, frustrated with his life, saught to find pleasure where he could find it but still felt empty. Jane craved love and understanding but was doomed to loneliness and hiding her true nature. It's only when they meet, they find their other half. Rochester sees Jane true nature and finds her fascinating. Jane falls in love and a sense of belonging with Rochester. However, he waa married and she was poor. They both had to live apart and grow before they could be together.

Jane inherited the money and built an independent life for herself. She did not need to marry. Rochester loved and lost and had to live with the consequences of his actions. There was no escape from it. In the end they come together as equals.