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Us and Them: After Reading Jane Eyre

*This essay was written in 2018 for my English Literature class with the topic: how does the following quote add to your examination of Jane Eyre's character and personal journey? "He is not to them what he is to me", I thought: "he is not of their kind. I believe he is mine;-I am sure he is,-I feel akin to him..." (175)

The love between Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester from Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyreis one between two soulmates. It is strong enough to overcome the various obstacles life has thrown in their path, from merely unpleasant appearances to a crazy, blood-thirsty wife. One reason their love is so strong is how fit they are for each other. “’He is not to them what he is to me’ [Jane] thought. ‘he is not of their kind. I believe he is of mine,’” (175) shows how Jane felt for Mr. Rochester. After their earlier conversations and experiences, Jane believes they are similar. Jane “had a keen delight in receiving the new ideas he offered” (146) while Louisa and Amy listened with polite interest, their eyes staying still. The connection between Jane and Mr. Rochester is unique, something the ladies of higher rank couldn’t achieve. His face, which for others was only considered ugly, was “the object [Jane] best liked to see” (146). As Jane put it, “’beauty is in the eye of the gazer’” (174). Because of her strong love, Jane considers Mr. Rochester beautiful and interesting, something others aren’t able to duplicate.
However, there is always an element of ‘them’. Despite their love and connections, “’rank and wealth sever [them] widely’” (175). Jane is a poor orphan while Mr. Rochester is a wealthy gentleman. Jane constantly reminds herself that they are of different class and Jane works for him, while Mr. Rochester “seems to forget that he pays [Jane] 30 l. per annum for receiving his orders” (134). If it seems like they are getting too close, Jane reprimands herself that she “must remember that he cannot care much for” (175) her. Even though Jane feels she and Mr. Rochester are of the same kind, having “certain tastes and feelings in common with him”, (175) their social differences are too wide. Jane cannot even hope to marry Mr. Rochester, believing only someone of higher rank and someone more beautiful deserves to be with him. She believes “it does no good to no woman to be flattered by her superior, who cannot possible intend to marry her” (161) and calls herself a “poor stupid dupe” (161) for briefly letting herself ignore her appearances and social position. The contrast between Jane and ‘them’, including Mr. Rochester can be seen at the party. Jane hides in the shadows, observing Mr. Rochester secretly while Mr. Rochester converses with the beautiful, rich women, seemingly unaffected by Jane.
Interestingly, their love prospers after the element of ‘them’ is conquered and Jane and Mr. Rochester are of equal ranks. When they first confess their love to each other and prepare to get married, they are deliriously happy and in love but there is still something separating them. Jane tells Mr. Rochester “Don’t address me as if I were a beauty; I am your plain, quakerish governess” (259) even after he openly expresses his love. When yhy went shopping, “the more he bought [Jane], the more [her] cheeks burned with a sense of annoyance and degradation” (268). Even after they are engaged, Jane cannot ignore the social barrier between them. It is only when they are equal can they truly enjoy their love. After Jane has become a rich, independent woman and Mr. Rochester lost his sight can they have their happy ending.
“All [her] confidence is bestowed on him; all his confidence is devoted to [her]:[they] are precisely suited in character; perfect concord is the result” (451) They are now truly perfect for one another, fit to be each other’s eternal equal.
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