Quotation: “To be your wife is, for me, to be as happy as I can be on earth” (547)

Comment: I chose this quote because in another one of my QCQ’s it seemed Brontë was making a feminist statement about the inherent repetition of a young girl’s life during the Victorian era. However, in this penultimate chapter it seems Brontë has Jane embrace this lifestyle of constantly being by Mr. Rochester’s side especially since he needs a little more help now since the fire.

I, personally, have a lot of issues with this quote and the whole scene in particular. Throughout the novel, we are told that Jane is a spirited girl who knows what she wants and we are shown over and over again how self-sufficient she is. Even when she is completely heartbroken after learning Mr. Rochester is married and kept his wife in the attic, she still finds the strength to leave Thornfield and make her own way before making it to St. Johns. It’s somewhat frustrating to see a character who is shown to be independent and strong-minded bend to the will of someone who intentionally deceived her and succumb to the repetitive life of a subservient Victorian wife.

Question: Do you think Brontë is trying to show how a “wild” girl like Jane can eventually settle down with the right person and become a civilized girl? Or is this another Little Women where Jane was paired with Mr. Rochester again because that was the only way the book would sell?