Chapters 17-21

This forum is for discussions of Jane Eyre, Chapters 17-21

W find that jane is in love with Rochester, though she has conciously tried not to. she is forced to observe him with Blanche who Jane sees as 'not genuine' with no orignial thoughts and who is unkind to Adele. she decides rochester is gong to marry Blanche and neither of them will do it for love but for convienience, for family, for politics or because her rank and connections suit him. Jane sees that Rochester is not impressed by Blanche but Blanche is unaware that she is not charming to him. at first Jane is dismayed that they might go thru w/the marriage with no love but then she realizes it is conforming to the times and how marriages are generally arranged.

rochester dresses up as a gypsy so he can divulge to Jane her nearness to happiness. He hopes she will be careless and speak of her feelings for Rochester not knowing of his disguise.jane freaks when she thinks the gypsy is a friend of Mrs. Pools and cries that demonism is involved with the fortune teller. Rochester/the gypsy tells Jane Mrs. Pool is harmless.
Mr Mason is introduced and more mystery shrouds Rochester.

Some of my interests in these chapters was the entertainment that the "younger" group would do. Charades was a dress up kind of game also. A "whole night" event.

I also noticed that the "areas" young ladies and the bachelors traveled from estate to estate and had week long parties. I guess that is the social way. Stay for a few weeks because it is a lot of work to go visiting for one evening. Take the mother and ugly sisters too. Something might become of it.

For no other reason I am enjoying these classics because it shows me the lifestyle and cultures that were taking place in the 'Victorian times. I really loved the dress they had and didn't really like the communication but the lifestyle was quite intriguing.

Curiousity is at a high level. Grace Poole, possibly his sister or mother? What "capital error"was made? This piece of literature brings out the Victorian lifestyle, mystery, romance and a little supernatural twist. I already understand the greatness of this work. Just to throw it out there, Mr. Rochester could easily be a main character for a book; strong character and lots of mystery.

The visit back to Goatshead was interesting. Mrs. Reed is a horrible person. Never forgiving because of jealousy. Anice twist is that John Eyre has notified Jane, even though she didn't get the message, maybe sooner.

Jane and Mr. Rochester's relationship is delicate. Mr. Rochester confides his troubles with her. This makes a more intimate relationship between the two characters. Romance is a large part of these few chapters. No physical exchange, but strong feelings of love between them. I do think they both feel strong about their love.

I think it ia interesting just how restrained the author is in her writing of the attraction of jane and rochester. he is very oblique when he speaks to her as are the other men in the party to those they are courting. there is never a sexual reference. never anything even hinting that love would not be pure and clean and companionable, no hint that he is physically attracted to her. Jane describes several times that rochester is not handsome.