MovieChat Forums > Jane Eyre (1973) Discussion > Jane and the return to Thornfield

Jane and the return to Thornfield

posted 17 years ago by edd1066
6 replies | jump to latest

This subject has been sparked by a discussion on the 2006 board about Rochester's morality. I wonder what people on here think about it?

An aspect of the book that I have often wondered about is what did Jane expect to do when she fled St John and returned to Thornfield? She dropped everything when she heard Rochester's supernatural call and hurried back to find him. She didn't know about the fire and that he was, in fact, a free man. She talks of just seeing him but admits that she might then run to him " and if I did - what then?"

Would she have then surrendered the principles that made her run from him in the first place?

By the way, although I have been reading lots of posts on the 2006 board - which is very active - I'd better just state that this (1973) is still the version I love best - complete with its dated production values! I know that just now, with the release of the 2006 DVD, everyone seems to be raving about Toby Stephens but whilst he is a good Rochester, and suits many people - he will never be MY Rochester: that accolade belongs only to Jayston!

[–] MoonsofJupiter 17 years ago

Hello edd1066. I know what you mean about the JE 2006 board. I'm one who has had my whiskers singed there. I dared to criticize.

I agree that this is the definitive version, low-keyed and faithful to the text and spirit of the book.

To answer your question, I don't think Jane would have surrendered her principles. I think she just wanted to make sure that Mr. Rochester was okay. I think most people, hearing the voice of a loved one in their ears that strange way, would do what was necessary to reassure themselves that all was well. Since they didn't have phones or email, she had to get herself there physically to see what was going on.

If you've never heard a voice in your head you might not know what it's like, but it's happened to me, and it's quite powerful.

(The voice that spoke to me wasn't about a man, though, it was about a cat. And because of the voice I was able to save its life. True story.)

[–] edd1066 17 years ago

Thank you. After some consideration, I too believe that Jane would probably not have surrendered her principles and that she just wanted to see that he was alive and well.

She was probably aware of the struggle she would have with her conscience and desires but seemed willing to risk that for another glimpse of Rochester. Maybe her time away from him and the fact that she had proved her ability to cope alone (and her new family of course) gave her the confidence to risk the challenge?

[–] moonshinewhiskey 17 years ago

I believe that she was summoned to Thornfield by a higher power. The same power that guided her throughout her life was guiding her back to Rochester. She may have had second thoughts on her journey, but He had sent her on her on her way, as Mr. Rochester wasn't married anymore and had atoned for his sins. This is from the book right after she hears Rochester calling her.

I broke from St. John, who had followed, and would have detained me. It was MY time to assume ascendency. MY powers were in play and in force. I told him to forbear question or remark; I desired him to leave me: I must and would be alone. He obeyed at once. Where there is energy to command well enough, obedience never fails. I mounted to my chamber; locked myself in; fell on my knees; and prayed in my way -- a different way to St. John's, but effective in its own fashion. I seemed to penetrate very near a Mighty Spirit; and my soul rushed out in gratitude at His feet. I rose from the thanksgiving -- took a resolve -- and lay down, unscared, enlightened -- eager but for the daylight.

[–] dr_mendoncacorreia 16 years ago

I fully agree with 'moonshinewhiskey'. The beginning of chapter XXXVI seems to confirm it:

"My spirit [...] is willing to do what is right; and my flesh, I hope, is strong enough to accomplish the will of Heaven, when once that will is distinctly known to me. At any rate, it shall be strong enough to search - inquire - to grope an outlet from this cloud of doubt, and find the open day of certainty."
[...]
"Ere many days [...] I will know something of him whose voice seemed last night to summon me. Letters have proved to no avail - personal inquiry shall replace them."
[...]
"Your master [...] if he is at Thornfield Hall, towards which you hasten, who besides him is there? His lunatic wife: and you have nothing to do with him [...]"

João Pedro

"You're not turning to look after more moths, are you?..."

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] laj9901 11 years ago

I just finished reading the book and I think Jane was planning to remain moral. You see, she had a real feeling that he may kill himself and dreaded being the cause of it. In the "I must leave you" scene, he goes into a long description of the 4 years he spent with Bertha as she became mad. He describes himself awoken one night to the wretched screams of Bertha in her chamber at their villa in Spanish Town, on the edge of a cliff overlooking a stormy sea. Cursing his life, knowing Bertha was hearty and would live long, he saw suicide as the only way out and very nearly threw himself out of his balcony into the sea. He only stopped when he saw a ray of hope in the idea the he deserved to be happy and would seek out a new woman, his ideal, and that it was OK with God because he had been wronged. When Jane left him, he was indeed despondent and said she was his last hope. She struggled hard to leave him in that condition. The thought of it haunted her her days with The Rivers and at the Village School. She felt he was in real danger of committing literal or moral suicide by simply running back to the degenerate life. She had sent several letters to Thornfield that went unanswered for over 6 months so she feared the worse. She really wanted to make sure he was alright. She did have doubts as her excitement began to overflow as she drew closer the Thornfield and wondered how she was going to react. The book makes this movie so much yummier. Must read for those who has only seen this on tv.