Rochester and Jane Eyre belong together. I plan on writting my paper on how the fire, Bertha sets, is the only way the couple can be together.
The fire happens to be very convinient for both of their situations. In Rochester's case he knows the only way he will be able to marry Jane is if Bertha is out of the picture. This fire eliminates her from the picture, without him having to do much. Of course it is sad but in the long run he sees this as a positive event. Bertha had been much of a burden placed upon him. He never was truely in love with her, just needed this marrige for her wealth. His parents set this up for the benifit of him and his familly. When he finally figured out that she was clinically insane, he couldn't just ditch her because a.) he's too nice of a person and b.) he'd lose all of his wealth.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYou're right to say that the fire Bertha sets gets rid of her and clears the way for Jane and Rochester to 'hook up.' But this seems fairly obvious (and is not really 'debatable', is it?). A much better approach might be to consider more broadly the recurrent images of fire throughout the novel. There are many. Consider the fire Jane sees upon recovering from her fainting spell in the red room (page 23) or the one guarded by a high fender in Bertha's lair (page 338). Think of the fire that is too hot for Jane as she sits by the "gypsy" (232) or the one that has almost died out (and that Jane re-stokes) at Ferndean (503). My point is simply that you ought to go back through the novel and track down EVERY instance of fire, consider collectively what this image of fire (and possible of ice as well) might mean in the larger scheme of the novel, and then show your reader how Bronte uses images of fire to support a larger argument (for instance, that we need passion in our lives, but not an over abundance of it?). Let me know what you think.
i love how you incorporate the idea of faith! i love the idea! i would love to see how it turns out in the end! unbelievable idea! make sure to include ideas and details about how bertha brought them together again! be specific! i love it tho! keep up the great work!
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