imagery in jane eyre

Jane Eyre tells the story of a woman progressing on the path towards
acceptance. Throughout her journey, Jane comes across many
obstacles. Male dominance proves to be the biggest obstacle at each
stop of Jane's journey: Gateshead Hall, Lowood Institution, Thornfield
Manor, Moor House, and Ferndean Manor. Through the progression of
the story, Jane slowly learns how to understand and control her
repression. I will be analyzing Janes stops at Thornfield Manor and Moor
House for this is where she met the two most important men in her life.
The easiest way to compare and contrast Rochester and St. John Rivers
is by examining when and under what circumstances these two
gentlemen come into contact with Jane.
It is at Thornfield Manor that Jane first encounters Mr. Rochester.
While living at Thornfield, Rochester demands undivided attention from
the servants, Jane included. He needs to be in control of every aspect of
his life, and he needs to feel superior to all of those around him. Jane
decides to accept his control and she concedes to him by calling him sir,
even after they begin to have an intimate relationship. At one point, she
even goes so far as to excuse herself for thinking. She says, "I was
thinking, sir (you will excuse the idea;
it was involuntary), I was thinking of Hercules and Samson with their
charmers" (p.289). This statement possibly begins to suggests Janes
unsatisfaction with Rochester's position of complete dominance in their
relationship. To Jane, Rochester embodies the idea of love which she
has so long been denied of. As I stated earlier, the whole movie is about
Janes journey towards acceptance, by herself and by others. It is this
journey which persuades her to move on when she finds Rochester's
physical and material love unacceptable.
Jane's next stop on her journey is Moor House. Here, she meets
St. John Rivers, her cousin. Unlike Rochester, St. John is portrayed as
the ultimate sacrificer, willing to do anything for others, no matter how
undesirable the task might be. St. John also expects this sacrifice from

Jane, and she must decide whether to accept his proposal. At this point in
her journey, Jane understands that her search for herself can not be
accomplished without real love. She denies St. John's marriage proposal
by saying, "I have a woman's heart, but not where you are concerned; for
you I only have a comrade's constancy; a fellow soldier's frankness,
fidelity, fraternity. . .nothing more." (p.433). She knows real love can not
be given to her by St. John and she must continue on her journey. She
must continue towards her destiny rendezvous with Rochester
Ferndean Manor is the final stop in Jane's journey. Once again,
Rochester appears as the dominant figure, although his air of superiority
has become greatly reduced due to the accident. Due to his ailments he
is now completely dependent on those around him, a situation which
humbles him. A new man results in this change, and in him, Jane finds
her real, spiritual and physical love. She says, "
All my heart is yours, sir: it belongs to you; and with you it would remain,
were fate to exile the rest of me from your presence forever" (p.469).
Rochester no longer demands people to act inferior around him to boost
his ego. he is finally at a point in his life where he demands an equal
partner. He does not try to contain Jane; he sets her free. He says, "Miss
Eyre, I repeat it, you can leave me" (p.468). She does not leave him
though. Rochester embodies the perfect balance between the physical
and the spiritual, the natural and graceful, intellectual and physical
beauty, and love and servitude. These were feelings that were not
present with St. John. Jane is now able to find her true abilities and her
balance.
Jane makes many stops on her journey for happiness and
equality but the two most important stops I feel are with St. John and
Rochester. It is through the experiences with these two gentlemen that
Jane learns many of her life lessons. Through her experiences with these
two gentlemen she is able understand and realize qualities in herself and

others. With each experience she has with these gentlemen, she learns
how to confront her past repression, which in turn leads to her own
growth.