Jane Eyre's Attitude Toward Rochester

Paper Summary:

"Jane Eyre" is the coming-of-age story of an orphan who grows up to marry Mr. Edward Fairfax Rochester, a man of means whom she has admired for years. Early in their acquaintance, Charlotte Bronte describes Jane's nascent feelings for her future husband when she observes him at a party he has given. The paper shows that this selection reveals Jane's attitude toward Rochester through Bronte's use of imagery, diction, syntax and rhetorical questions. Through these techniques, Bronte shows Jane's attraction to her employer despite the obvious disparity in their social positions.

From the Paper:

"Bronte's use of rhetorical questions reinforces the contrast between Jane's attraction and the proprieties of the day. Through this device, Jane can express feelings in the form of questions which she would not yet be able to state directly. As Jane states, "I know I must conceal my sentiments: I must smother hope." Jane uses rhetorical questions rather than direct statements in order superficially to conceal her feelings. "Did I say, a few days since, that I had nothing to do with him but to receive my salary at his hands? Did I forbid myself to think of him in any other light than as a paymaster?" Jane's use of these rhetorical questions indicates that her feelings are entirely opposite to those expressed in the queries."

More papers on Jane Eyre's Attitude Toward Rochester:

• Book Review # 126468 : "Jane Eyre's Engagement to Mr. Rochester"
• Book Review # 73713 : "Rochester in "Jane Eyre" and "Wide Sargasso Sea"
• Analytical Essay # 6776 : "Jane Eyre's Search for Freedom and Equality"

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