Passion

The flame of passion is ever present through out the novel. It comes in the form of many different objects and people. In this book Jane is known for being passionate and that is one of her great qualities. But this book is a cautionary tale of moderation.

Jane has much passion but she cannot let it consume her. Later in the book we find Bertha who is the being of passion and the foreshadowing of the destruction that too much passion can bring about. Fire which represents passion in the book can give life or take it away. Bertha's passion brought about the destruction of Thornfield and the crippling of Rochester who tried to contain her ravenous flame for years. on the other hand we have Blanche who is the absence of passion.She wishes to become Rochester's wife and only that. She i believe is the character foil to Bertha. While Bertha is passionate, wild, and mad, Blanche is sophisticated, subdued, and is without passion. Blanche is a typical woman in this time of England. She does what is expected of her and knows her place in society, and Bertha is running in circles growling in the attic. Both of these women cause incredible destruction. Though Bertha causes real destruction of Thornfield, they both wreak havoc on Rochester's heart. Bertha went mad and burned Rochester emotionally. Blanche on the other hand would not burn him, but she would not be able to kindle his love for she has nothing to warm him with.

And then we have Jane who is the one to find balance in passion. She discovers moderation in passion which is what Rochester needs. He needs passion to fill his life but not destroy it. That is why Jane is the perfect one for him and that's why he chooses her. Jane through her troubled past learned how to use her passion in a way that brings life, not death to Rochester's love.