JANE EYRE CH 25-26

10/23/13                 Jane Eyre CH 25-26

Summary: Jane is basically freaking out and having unexplainable dreams about babies, which as she discussed earlier is a bad omen. However, one dream she has isn't in fact a dream, but reality: She awakes to find Grace Poole in her closet destroying her Janes veil. Mr.Rochester tells Jane that he will explain Graces situation once they are married for one year and one day. Chapter 26 was amazing; the day of the wedding, turns into a day of truth for Mr.Rochester. He has an insane first wife whom he has been married to for several years and has been under the care of Grace Poole (which explains why Grace acts so oddly). This leaves Jane heart broken, like any wife would be if she found out her husband had a second wife.

Quote: ”What it was, whether beast or human being, one could not, at first sight, tell: it grovelled, seemingly, on all fours; it snatched and growled like some strange wild animal: but it was covered with clothing, and a quantity of dark, grizzled hair, wild as a mane, hid its head and face.”

Significance of Quote:The description of Bertha Mason gave me chills. It reminded me of something out of an Exorcism movie, the way she acted and was dressed. This also shows either that Mr.Rochester is a horrible husband for containing his wife for so long, or that he is a poor man who got into a marriage with the wrong woman. For Jane to witness this woman act so inhumane and know she is Mr.Rochesters wife, that must have been so terrifying. She needs a better explanation from him.

Reflection: Mr. Rochester has too many secrets that he's hiding from Jane. All the mysterious secrets of Grace Poole and his family, they all led up to this giant truth. All The bad omens and nightmares Jane had after the proposal were signs not to marry Mr.Rochester. The lightning striking the chestnut tree was also a sign that she had made the wrong decision. This book has so much symbolism in it.

Question: Was Bertha Mason actually insane when Mr. Rochester locked her up, or did locking her up make her insane?