From the passage in Chapter 27 from ‘a pause’ to “despair aided, ‘farewell for ever!’” discuss how your reading of this passage develops your understanding of Jane’s character?

From the passage in Chapter 27 from ‘a pause’ to “despair aided, ‘farewell for ever!’” discuss how your reading of this passage develops your understanding of Jane’s character?

Just before this point in the novel, Jane was to marry Mr. Rochester. In the build up to the wedding he was cold towards Jane rushing her to the isle ‘held by a grasp of iron’ (p 253). Jane felt this was an odd procedure but, was in love so continued to go along, but this action did spark Jane’s inquisitive nature. They made it down the isle, only to have Mason declared a lawful impediment; Mr Rochester had a living wife, Bertha. The wedding was called off and they both returned to Thornfield and Jane and he decide on where they go from here.  

Jane has always been presented as a strong willed character, determined to do what she believes morally right. She has also held great standing for British law.   She is however; also devoted to Mr Rochester, before now Jane had always held her principles and never done anything that would undermine either them or British law.

Jane has now been faced with a situation in which her feelings and morals come into conflict. On one hand her wish to love him and be loved by him was consuming her, ‘fore I absolutely worshipped’ and provokes the reader momentarily, into believing Jane will sacrifice her principles for her heart. On the other hand the reader could have move belief in Jane as she has never caved her principles, for anyone. The start of this passage makes the reader question Jane and if she will stay with Mr Rochester on not. These lines add complexity to Jane’s character as she may have been going to follow her heart instead of her head.

The reader is assured however, when Jane’s morals prevail and she breaks herself from Mr Rochester with the infamous words ‘Mr. Rochester, I will not be yours’. This may or may not surprise the reader. I feel this rests on a personal level, if the reader empathises with Mr. Rochester. It does however; build on the readers understanding on Jane. It shows her once again to be a determined character.

Following this Mr Rochester attempts to ‘win’ her...