Jane Eyre: Analyzing Rochester and St. John’s Proposals
Rochester’s Proposal: Passion vs. Reason
- Bronte contrasts the two proposals to highlight the dichotomy between passion and reason that tempts Jane at different points in her life.
- Bronte characterizes Rochester as passionate through his animated speech. The dash and the exclamatory reveal his devotion and desperation as he energetically tries to convince Jane that his proposal is sincere and not exploitative.
- Bronte’s metaphor, “I love you as my own flesh,” implies that he feels spiritually connected to Jane. He feels so attached and assimilated to her, as though they are one entity.
- The adjectives “poor, obscure, small, and plain” show that Rochester accepts her as she is and does not require her to change or shape herself to interest him because she is powerfully attractive to him as she is. Though, later as they prepare for the wedding, Rochester does express a desire to adorn her, which she vehemently rejects.
- However, the modal “must” seems to demand Jane’s rapid acceptance, which implies that Rochester is motivated by his entitlement and desires rather than Jane’s true happiness.
- This contrasts starkly with St. John’s proposal later in the novel.
- The verb “claim” suggests that St. John feels a sense of ownership towards Jane, which is justified through his religious zeal.
- The juxtaposition between “pleasure” and “service” shows St. John’s calculating and manipulative proposal, similar to Rochester’s.
- The word “pleasure” reveals that St. John’s decision to marry Jane is not motivated by his own desires, but rather it is a selfless act, not a selfish one.
St. John’s Proposal: Duty and Labour
“You are formed for labour, not love.”
- Bronte characterizes Jane as heartbroken and hopeless at this point in this bildungsroman when she feels the pressure to accept St. John’s proposal.
- Naturally, she compares St. John’s behavior to how Rochester made her feel. The adjectives “fond and proud” show that Rochester placed Jane on a pedestal, lifted her, and made her feel wanted and appreciated.
- The shift in tense when she narrates that Rochester “was” to “no man besides will ever be” shows Jane’s pessimism about finding love like this ever again. The reader questions whether she will settle for St. John.
- Bronte characterizes Jane as astute (intelligent/clever) because she recognizes that love is missing in St. John’s proposal. St. John praises Jane as “faithful, courageous, very gentle, and very heroic,” showing that he values Jane for her intellect but wants to exploit her for his own missionary work, disregarding her personal wishes. She misses the “sweet homage” (respect) that Rochester paid to her without any expectations in return.
- Furthermore, Bronte uses contrast to expose St. John’s prejudice towards Jane as a working-class governess who he believes should not hold out for love and should compromise by choosing religion instead.
- The contrast between “labour” and “love” emphasizes Jane’s plainness, suggesting that she should embrace a life of toil and hard work, accept her fate, and ultimately agree to his pragmatic proposal.
- Bronte highlights the internalized misogyny of men who expect women to submit to their will. She also comments on the restrictions that society placed on women from a poor background, and the judgment that society placed on women with ambition and a desire for self-improvement.