Reader, Jane Eyre has been a thrilling and exciting story that we have explored over the last couple of weeks. I enjoyed the entirety of the book, but especially the character of Jane herself and Mr. Rochester. Last class we explored the dimensions of the doubling of certain aspects and characters in the novel. Now having finished the book, I can appreciate this doubling even further.
One specific doubling of characters in the book that I found most interesting was Jane Eyre and Bertha Mason. Both of these characters not only fit the role of Mr. Rochester’s wife, but also have similar qualities. Early in the novel, the audience only ever saw Jane as deceitful and troublesome. Jane often was found at the root of disorder, a similar characteristic that Bertha possesses. Later on in the novel, the reader recognizes how Jane has fewer outbursts and has grown out of her troubling child-like manner. These outbursts did not entirely disappear; however, the reader sees this behavior portrayed throughout Bertha’s manic actions. For instance, the biting of her own brother can somewhat resemble the fight that Jane experienced with her cousin John Reed. Another aspect of the book I deemed recognizable was the placing of the rooms in Thornfield. Bertha was kept locked on the 3rd floor, but Jane’s room was directly below her. The reader can interpret Bertha’s rage as Jane’s inner thoughts at some points in the book. I believe that Bertha being held above Jane’s room can resemble Bertha as in her thoughts and in her mind.
Two scenes that reminded me of their doubling was Jane saving Mr. Rochester’s life in the fire and Bertha setting the second fire off, eventually leading to her death. There is symbolism in Jane saving Mr. Rochester’s life in the first fire while Bertha then tries to take his life in the second fire. Jane had saved Mr. Rochester when she had barely known him, while Bertha tried to kill him, having known him for far too long. Although these moments appeal quite the opposite, I think there is a motive behind each of their actions that stems from the same root.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found the doubling extremely interesting. Charlotte Brontë's structure of the story and the irony placed throughout the novel is what kept me so engaged as a reader. The resemblance between Jane Eyre and Bertha Mason is uncanny, especially with the veil symbolism, which is why I decided to take note of it in the entry.
