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AnnaPercuoco 11Nov2011 MyEqual...andmyLikeness:MasculinityinJaneEyre CharlotteBrntesJaneEyregivesgreatinsightintotheBritishmasculineexperienceinthe nineteenthcentury.AlthoughthetextisprimarilyaBildungsromanaboutayoungorphangirl,itisalso anexcellentstudyofmenandtheirrelationshipstowomen.ThemalefemalerelationshipsthatJane experiencesthroughoutherlifetimeprovideabundantfuelforathoroughanalysisofmasculinityandits developmentinthenovel. JaneEyreasaselfempoweredwomandesirousofindependenceandpersonalstabilityhas fascinatedscholarsfordecadeshundredsofarticlesandbookshavebeendedicatedtothatsubject. YetscholarshiphasbeenstrangelysilentinregardstoJanesprofoundeffectontheOther.Janehasthe uniqueabilitytobothpleaseandmaster(Bronte290)EdwardFairfaxRochester.Somethingmost womenofhertimeattemptedtodowithvainflatteryandflirtation,shedoesmoreeffectivelybybeing herself.Plain,honest,bold,bothunafraidandunashamedofthetruth,Rochesterlovesherallthemore forit.AsPhillipssays,JanesplainspokennessdemonstratestoRochesterthatsheis...afitobjectof hislove(206).Whilemostofherpeerswoulduseapositionofstrengthtobendthesuitortotheirwill, Janewieldsthispowerwiselyandshapeshismasculinityinapositiveway.YetasJaneherselfassertsto Rochester,Iamnotanangel...andIwillnotbeonetillIdie:Iwillbemyself...youmustneitherexpect norexactanythingcelestialofmeforyouwillnotgetit(JE289). AlthoughF.A.C.WilsonsanalysisofmanyofthecharactersinJaneEyreisinaccurateinits conclusions,hisargumentthatJaneschildhoodmoldshersexualnature,affectingherlifelongimageof

masculinityandevenhertechniqueofconversationwiththemalesex(Wilson43)isindubitable.Inlight ofthis,herpreviousrelationshipswithmenmustbeexaminedinfullandthequestionofhowtheir masculinityshapedhermustbecomprehensivelyaddressedinordertounderstandherimpacton Rochestersmasculinity.Beginningwithherchildhood,menforcefullyasserttheirmasculinityoverher. Oncethewaysinwhichmasculinityshapedherinherformativeyearshavebeendiscussed,itwillbe crucialtolookatRochestersmasculinity,howheexpressesitinrelationtoJaneandhowsheinfluences it. Janebeginsasanorphan,orlessthananorphan,withcruelstepsiblingsandavindictive stepmother.Thefirstmanthatsheencountersinthenovelisherownbrother,fourteenyearold JohnReedwhosenameismentionedonthefirstpage.Thefactthathistreatmentofherismentionedso earlyoninthismemoirisevidenceofitssignificanceinherdevelopment.Say,whatdoyouwant, MasterReed...Iwantyoutocomehereandseatinghimselfinanarmchair,heintimatedbyagesture thatIwastoapproachandstandbeforehim(JE4).GilbertandGubarscharacterizationofJohn Reedasaselfisholderbrotherwhotyrannizesoverthehouseholdlikeasubstitutepatriarch(342)is perfectlypicturedherewithJohnsittinginanarmchairlikeakingpassingjudgementonhissubjects(i.e. theyoungJane).Whatisthegreatoffensethatshehascommitted?Noneotherthanexistence,forshe wasmerelyreadingabookandattemptingsomerespitefromthefamilydynamics.(Althoughthe symbolicpowersheassumesinreadingshouldnotbeunderplayed.)Theabusethatheinflictsonher sheisquiteaccustomedtoandsheanticipatestheblowsbeforetheycome.Yethisabuseisnotonly physicalbutverbal:Youhavenobusinesstotakeourbooksyouareadependent...youhaveno moneyyourfatherleftyounoneyououghttobegandnotliveherewithgentlemenschildrenlikeus...

Now,Illteachyoutorummagemybookshelves:fortheyaremineallthehousebelongstome,orwill doinafewyears...(JE5)Hefirstremindsherofherparentageandlackofamasculineinfluence, whichinthattimewastheloweststateforawoman:tohavenomantoprotectandcareforherandto seetoitthatshewaswellmarried,oratleasthadsomeonetocareforherinlaterlife.Healsoreminds herthatshehasnothing,whilehesimplybecausehewasbornmalewillinheritthehouseshelivesin andallofthematerialthingsfromwhichshebenefits.WhatJohndoeshereistocementwithinJanea desperatedesireforindependencewhichwillbesolidifiedinheradolescence.Hiscrueltycausesherto rejectcrueltyinothersandtodemandhigherrespectforherself.GilbertandGubarquoteoneofthefirst responsestoJaneEyre,byaMissRigbyinQuarterlyReview,[Jane]looksuponallthathasbeen doneforher,notonlyasherundoubtedright,butasfallingfarshortofitVictorianEnglandwas shockedbythisblatantlyangryresponsetowhatChristiansocietydeemedherCalvinistdestiny (338).WhatitisthatmakesJanesopassionatelydefiantisadesperatedesireforindependence.She seesthatsheisaburdenonthosechargedtobeherguardiansandfromayoungageisemboldenedto careforherself.ShecomfortsherselfuponleavingRochesterwiththewords,Icareformyself.The moresolitary,themorefriendless,themoreunsustainedIam,themoreIwillrespectmyself(JE___). ThisdesireforindependencehasbeenadrivingforceinJanespersonalitythroughoutthenovel,andit isbornfromhernegativeexperienceswithmasculinity. JohnReeddemonstratesamalevolentmasculinityinhisattemptstoeithercontrolordebasethe womenwithwhomheinteracts.[He]hadnotmuchaffectionforhismotherandsisters,andan antipathytome...everynerveIhadfearedhim.Hemanipulateshissisters,theservantsandhismother totakehissidewithoutevershowingaffectionorcareforthem.Heistheepitomeofaselfish,

controllingpatriarchandyetheisweak,biliousanddelicate(JE4).Inaddition,Johnstreatmentof Jane,whencontrastedwiththoseoftherestoftheReedhousehold,isindicativeofwhatJane understandsasmasculinityatthispointinthenovel:All[his]violenttyrannies,allhissistersproud indifference,allhismothersaversion,alltheservantspartiality,turnedupinmydisturbedmindlikea darkdepositinaturbidwell(JE10).JaneisembitteredbyallthetreatmentshereceivesatGateshead, butitisJohnsthatisthemostvirulent.Hismeannessisparticularlyaggressive,whiletheReedwomen andfemaleservantsareportrayedasmuchmorepassive.YetJanesbleakhomelifeservesagreater purposeinthatitdrivesJanetoapassionatepursuitoffreedomandindependencefromeveryonea qualitywhich,inthefuture,willhaveapositiveeffect. Thetruepatriarchofthefamilyhaslongsincediedandhisdeathchamber(Gilbert340),the redroomstandsasterriblememorialtohisinfluenceonthefamily.Mrs.ReedsendsJaneintothat roomasifintothepresenceofherUnclehimself.Inthisactionshetooacknowledgesherlatehusbands poweroverher.ThroughoutthislonelyandterrorstrickenepisodeJanesensesherUncleReeds ghostlypresence.Itseemstoherthatsincehisdeathinthatroom,hisdeathbedhasbeenitsphysical (andmetaphorical)center.Janeseestheironyofthissituation,becausethemasculinitythatMrs.Reed hasallowedtorulethehomeinherhusbandsabsencetakestheformofthepetulant,tyrannicalJohn Reedwhileclearlyheruncleswishesshouldtakeprecedent.Therecognitionofthisinjusticeiswhat bringsonJanesfirstburstofemotionagainstheraunt.ThestatementwhatwouldUncleReedsayto youifherwerealive?isintendedtohighlightthefactthatMrs.Reedisherequalinthatshetoois controlledbypatriarchaldicta(Gilbert343). Thedescriptionoftheroomislikethatofamythicalthroneroominhell.Theroomisdecorated

allwithreddamaskandthefurnitureisofdeep,heavymahogany.Whilelockedinthisroom,shefears thatherghostlyunclewillreturnharassedby...[her]wrongsbutdwellsonwhatsheknowsofherdead unclesbenevolencetowardsher.SheremembersthatMr.Reedchargedherauntonhisdeathbedto careforhisniece,thedaughterofhisdearsister,andbelievesthatif[he]hadbeenalive,hewouldhave treatedmekindly(JE12).Herdreamsofabenevolentmasculinityaremerelythedesperatehopeofa femalechildwho,growingupinVictorianEngland,believesthatheronlyhopeisamagnanimousmale saviorwhowillrescueherfromherhopeless,lovelesslife.Thesongthataservantsingshertouchesat theimpossibilityofthatdesperatehoperecall[ing]thepatriarchalterrorsoftheredroomandhint[ing] atpatriarchalterrorstocome,statingthatwhenshediesherFatherinheavenwillholdherclose (Gilbert342343),somethingJanehasnohopeofonearth. WhenJanesuccumbstoherfearintheredroom,sheisrenderedunconsciousandheraunt sendsforMr.Lloyd,thethirdexampleofmasculinityinheryounglife.Jane,desperateforarescuer, imaginesthatMr.Lloyd,atender,compassionatedoctor,isthatsavior.Thereasonsforthisare obvious.LloydisthefirstmaninJanesyounglifetoaskheraboutherselfandtocareforher wellbeing.Seekingoutthereasonforherillnessheasks,...whatmakesyousomiserable?andwhen Janerespondsthatsheisunhappy,heasksformoreinformation,pryingintotherootcauseofher distress(JE20).DeterminingthatJanehasnotbewelllovedorwellcaredfor,heusesthepowerhe hasoverMrs.ReedtobethatJanefinallygetsthecarethatsherequires.Janeintimatesthatshe...felt soshelteredandbefriendedinhispresenceandthatuponhisdepartureinexpressiblesadness overcameher(JE16).Hiscareforherprofoundlyaffectsherviewofmasculinity. FurtherdevelopmentinJanesunderstandingofmasculinity,comesinformofLowoodSchool

headmaster,Mr.Brocklehurst.Herfirstencounterwithhimisinthepresenceofherauntwhointendsto sendhertoLowood.Herfirstreactiontohimisshockandfear,andshedescribeshimablackpillar... straight,narrow,sableclad...[witha]grimface...likeacarvedmask(JE29).TheChristianimagery hereisunmistakable.DescribinghimasstraightandnarrowiscertainlyareferencetoaChristian ideaofaparticularlystrictmoralpath.ItisanaptdescriptionsinceBrocklehursthimselfholdsthegirls atLowoodtoastrictmoralstandard.Thedescriptionisalsophallicinnature,pointingonceagainto Janesunderstandingofmasculinity,recollectingtheterroroftheadultmaleanimalwhichmusthave wrungtheheartofeveryfemalechildinaperiodwhereallmenweredefinedasbeasts(Gilbert344). TheinterrogationofJanebythemalecharactersisanotherfoundationalaspectofher understandingofmasculinity.Mr.Lloydisthefirstonetoaskherquestionshowever,hisquestionsare meanttodetermineandmeetherneeds.BrocklehurstsinterrogationislikeJohnReeds,demandinga particularresponse.TheallusionstoherencounterswithJohnareobviousinherfirstmeetingwith Brocklehurst.HeevensitsdowninanarmchairanddirectsJanetocomehere.Itisimpossibleto missthesimilarities.Whatmustyoudotoavoid[hell]?heasksher,towhichquestionshemustgive theexpectedresponse(JE30).AllBrocklehurstsquestionsareclearlylessaninquirytogather informationandmoreademandofwhathedeemsacorrectresponse.Everythinghedoesisan attempttousehismasculinitytocontrolJaneandthestudentsandteachersofLowoodthosehe believestobeweakerandoflessworthbecauseoftheirsocioeconomicstatus. Hischaracterizationcanonlybecompletewithawordonhypocrisy.Hishypocrisyismost notablewhenhebringshiswifeanddaughterstoLowoodtovisit.Thestarkdifferenceinthestandard bywhichhemeasurestheLowoodstudentsandhisfamilycouldnotbemoreconspicuous.Withone,

hisseverityispitilessandsadistic,withtheotherbenevolentandgenerous.Janenotestheironyofhis previouslectureondressincomparisonwiththeBrocklehurstsclothing.Thetwoyounger[girls] (finegirlsofsixteenandseventeen)hadgreybeaverhats,theninfashion,shadedwithostrichplumes, andfromunderthebrimofthisgracefulheaddressfellaprofusionoflighttresses,elaboratelycurled (JE68).Especiallynotablearethecurlswhichadorntheirheads,whenBrocklehursthadonlyrecently finishedberatingagirlwithnaturallycurlyhair:...wearenottoconformtonature...Idesirethehairto bearrangedclosely,modestly,plainly...thatgirlshairmustbecutoffentirely(JE67).Hiscruel punishments(forcedonalltheLowoodgirls,butespeciallyuponJaneandHelenBurns)andabuseof powerarecharacteristicofJanesexperienceofmasculinityatthispointinthenovel.Whileitistruethat Janehashadpositiveexperienceswithmenuptothispointofthenovel(e.g.Mr.Lloyd),itisthese intenseandcrueldemonstrationsofmasculinepowerwhichhavebeenmostformativeinherpersonality. PowerisclearlyasymptomofmasculinityinVictorianEngland.Thisisseeninitsabuse(by JohnReedandMr.Brocklehurst)andinthewaythatMr.Lloydusesit:tocareandprovideforJane andtoprotectherfromheraunt.ItisthesechildhoodexperiencesofmasculinitywhichshapeJanes expectationsandinfluenceherrelationshipwithRochester.Hetoowieldsthepowerofmasculinity,and howhedoessoisactuatedbyhisrelationshipwithJane. WhenJanefirstshearsofMr.RochesteritisthroughMrs.Fairfax,thehousekeeper.Ishe generallyliked?sheasks(JE114),whichimpliestheimportanceJanehascometoplaceonamaster whodemonstratesfairnessandrespecttoall,especiallythoseoverwhomheholdsauthority.Her experiencewithmasculinefiguresinthepastleadshertodespisethecharacteristicsofcrueltyand manipulationwhichshehasfoundsocommonamongmen.Whensheencountershiminthelaneonthe

waytoThornfieldsheofferstohelphimashehasfallenfromhishorseandcanhardlywalk.She describeshimashavingsternfeaturesandaheavybrow,aswellasadismissingmannertowards her.Facinghimforthefirsttime,shefeelsunafraidbutshy.Itseemsthathisunattractiveandrather fiercenatureemboldenher(JE125).Whydoesshenotreactasshedidwhenshefirstencountered Mr.Brocklehurst?Itisthefactthatshehasmaturedandisconfidentinherownabilitytodefendand careforherself.Healsospeakstoherastoanequal,notimmediatelyinterrogatingherorrequiringof hersometask.Shedoesnotevenknowthatheisheremployerandsosheremainsfreeofthatsocial construct,fullyabletoconversewithhimaswithanyadulttowhomsheowesnothing. InJaneandRochestersdevelopingrelationshipweagainseethethemeofinterrogation.He callsherintohispresencemerelytoquestionher,buttowhatend?Helongstoknowher,infactofhis wifeBerthahesays,Ineverloved,Ineveresteemed,Ididnotevenknowher(JE340)Tohim,itis thisknowledgeandestimationthatcomposemarriedlove.HisdesiretoknowJaneisbornbecausein herheseesanequal.AnunusualtomeaperfectlynewcharacterIsuspectedwasyours:Idesired tosearchitdeeperandknowitbetter,(JE349)Rochestertellsherlater.Hesensedinheradepth unlikethatwhichhehadpreviouslyencounteredamongwomen.Hisrelationshipswithwomenhave coloredhismasculinity,justasJanesexperiencesofmasculinityhaveaffectedherfemininity. Thushequestionedheratlengthinhisstudy,seekingtounderstandandtesthercharacter.His mannerwithherisbrusqueandattimes,hostile,butsheisnotbotheredbyitatall.Shefeelsfreetotell him:Idontthink...youhavearighttocommandmemerelybecauseyouareolderthanIorbecause youhaveseenmoreoftheworldthanIhave(JE148)andallbecausesheseesthatunlikethemenshe hasknowninthroughoutherchildhoodhedoesnotbalkatherassertiveness,butratherinvitesherto

conversewithhimasanequal.ThemasculinitythatRochesterdemonstratesinthebeginningisabit aggressive,butitisneveroverbearingorunkind.WilsonassertsthatRochesteristoowillfullymalefor Janebecauseofhisoveraggressivemasculinityandthisassertioncomesfromevidencethathasbeen misinterpreted.Heciteswhathecallstheirforensicduelsasevidenceforthisoveraggressiveness (Wilson45),whichcanbeplainlyseeninChapterXIIIwhereinMr.RochesterquestionsJaneand examinesherartwork.Hisfirstfewcommentsareabrupt.HegreetsherwithApproachthetable,and uponclosestudyofherworkhesays,...whendidyoufindtimetodothem?Wheredidyougetyour copies?Hedispensesentirelywithformalityandyes,evencourteousness,buttosayhisbehavioris toowillfullymaleissimplistic.ItisimpossibletomisstheobviousmasculinityofJaneinherinteractions withMr.Rochester.TheycompeteineveryaspectoftheirrelationshipanditseemsthatRochester longsforsomethingmoretraditionallymasculinesomeonewhocaninteractwithhimasanequal.This islessacommentonJanesmasculinityandmorearedefinitionofthemalefemalerelationship.Itis Mr.Rochestersredefinedmasculinitythatlongsforacompanionwhowillengagehimonalllevelsand notmerelyparrotwhatshebelieveshewantshertosay.Itisanavantgarderelationshipthatthriveson equality,basedonanavantgardemasculinitybasedininterpersonal,intellectualconversation. Rochestersgreatestdesireistoloveandbelovedfromwhichcomesanequallypowerful hopeofknowingandbeingknown(JE345).Thefranknesswithwhichtheyspeaktoeachotherserves toequalizetheminconversation.AsPhillipsargues,Bymeansofherbluntness,Janeassertsher equalitywithRochester,whoknowshowtobrushofftheinsultsandholdfasttotheclaimofbeinghis equal(205).ItisthroughthistransgressionofsocialtaboosthatsheandRochesterareabletohave intimateconversationandtofullyknowoneanotherasequals(Phillips205).Itistheirequalitythat

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enablesthemtoconversefreelyanditisthatequalitythatcausesthemtofallinlove.Rochester,laterin theirrelationship,admitstoherthatheoncesearchedtheentirecontinentforhisidealwomanandyet couldnotfindherwhenfinallyhereturnedtoThornfield,spentandhopeless,hehadbeguntothinkthat anintellectual,faithful,lovingwomandidnotexist(JE345346).Amanwhoseidealwomanishis equal,intellectuallyandemotionally,isnooveraggressivebrutebutratherdemonstratesapassionateand compassionatemasculinity. Aspreviouslymentioned,masculinepowerisacentralthemeinJaneEyre,andJanes childhoodexperiencesshapeherdesireforaloverwhoisherequal,amanwhodoesnotexerthis socialauthorityoverher.Rochesterdoesjustthat.Yetwhenfacedwiththeprospectoflosingher, Rochestersbehaviorisquestionable.Knowingthatshewouldneverexcepthisproposalifshewas awarethathewasalreadymarried,hehidesthetruthfromher,laterstatingthathefearedthe stubbornnessthatexistsin[her]character(JE351).Yetultimatelyitisnotthefactthatheisalready marriedthatcauseshertofleehispresence,butrathertheknowledgethathehaswillfullykeptthetruth fromher.Theillusionofequalityisshattered,becausehehasbrokenhertrust.Itisindespairthatshe saysthewordswhichoutlinethetruenatureofthenecessityshefeelstoleave.

Oh,nevermorecoulditturntohimforfaithwasblightedconfidencedestroyed![He]was nottomewhathehadbeenforhewasnotwhatIhadthoughthim.Iwouldnotascribeviceto himIwouldnotsayhehadbetrayedmebuttheattributeofstainlesstruthwasgonefromhis idea,andfromhispresenceImustgo:thatIperceivedwell(JE329). Althoughsheismotivatedbyreligiousideals,itisprimarilythislossofthetruthfulnessthathad characterizedtheirrelationshipwhichspursheronward.Theequalitythatwasindicativeoftheir relationshipwascontingentonthetruthfulnesswithwhichtheyspoketooneanother.Theirswasnota

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typicalcourtshipanditisherethatJanerealizesthatifthemarriagecannotcontinueasthecourtshipdid, allislost. SomehaveseenRochestersactionstowardsJanebeforetheirmutualconfessionofloveas manipulationequaltothatofBrocklehurst.WilsonswordsarefiercelybiasedagainstRochesterandfail toaccountforhisownfeelingsanddesires.HewritesthatRochester,whenfailingtotrickherinto bigamyattemptstodrawherintoacommensuratelyundesirableandunequalstateashismistress(45). YetconsiderthewordsofRochesterhimself:Itwasnotmyoriginalintentiontodeceive,asIhave deceivedyou(JE345).Hedoesnotdenythathehasdonewrong,andrepentsstatingthathe ...shouldhaveappealedtohernoblenessandmagnanimityatfirst...describedtoyouahungerandthirst after...aworthierexistence(JE351).No,WilsonisinerrortoassertthatwhatRochesterdid,hedid inspite.OneneedonlycountthenumberoftimesthatJanecameclosetothetruthandinvestigate Rochestersresponse.Ifhehadbeenadeceitfulman,hewouldhavesoughtthroughtrickeryto manipulateJane.Hewouldnothaverespondedwithfearandanxiety.Itisclearthathismotivationwas solelytofindloveandfulfillment.Itcannotbesaidthatbecausehewasmanhedesiredcompanionship anyless.Itisallthemoreevidentinhisproposal:Mybrideishere...becausemyequalishere,andmy likeness(JE283).NeverdidheseeBerthaMasonRochesterashiswife,sothedeceitthoughit waspracticeduponJanedidnotcomefromanevilheart.Hehimselfsaysthatsheisnowifetohim, becauseofhermadnessandinabilitytoconnectwithhimbutalsoforreasonsofherunfaithfulnessand lackofcommunionwithhim(JE340341). However,thequestionremains:whydidheattempttoconvinceherthathelovedMissIngram? Itisaworthyquestionbecausethedeceitislessunderstandable.Heisnotafraidoflosingher,forhe

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doesnotevenhaveherthus,whatcouldbethepurposeofputtingforthsomuchefforttoconvincethe womanhelovesthathelovessomeoneelse?Hisdesperatedesiretoknowandbeknownisevidenced inpreviousparagraphs.Heintimatesthathehasbeenwoundedbysomany,althoughadmittedlymostly duehisownerrors,thathedoesnotbelievethatthatwhichhemostdesiresintheworldiseven attainable(JE345346).HeferventlyhopesthatJanewilllovehiminreturnbuthiscowardice overcomeshim.HesolicitsnotsomuchJanesaffectionasheravowalofthataffection.Hewantsher tospeakhewantsherassomeonewhospeaks(Phillips206),forwhohaseverconfessedloveto Rochester.Heisamanstarvedofaffection,anditisthisuniquebrandofmasculinitywhichdrawsJane tohim.Whenhebegsherforgivenessshewrites:Therewassuchdeepremorseinhiseye,suchtrue

pityinhistone,suchmanlyenergyinhismannerandbesides,therewassuchunchangedloveinhiswhole lookandmienIforgavehimall...(JE332).JaneconsidersRochestersabilitytofeelremorseandhis masculinitytobeinseparable.Remorseful,passionate,torturedasheis,heholdsforJaneanirresistible pull. ThisisnottoabsolveRochesterofblame,forcertainlyinthethrowsofpassionforJaneand terrorthatshewillleavehimheisfierceandangry.Attheheightoftheirargumentheevengraspsher arm,shakesandinjuresher.HisfuryisintenseandJaneisgenuinelyafraid(JE353).Atleasthe recongizesthatsheisindomitableandadmitsthathecouldforcehertostayevenifhetried(354)but thedamageisdoneandhehasmisusedhismasculinepower.YetJaneforgiveshimofthistoo,anditis notunforgivenesswhichurgesheronward,butratherbecauseshefearstheinequalityofalovermistress relationshipwithRochester(Phillips205). Jane,afteralongperiodoflonelinessandamarriageproposalfromhercousin,hearsRochesters voiceandishearkenedbacktohim.ItisthesceneinwhichsheJaneseffectonRochestersmasculinity comesfullcircle.Itiscertainthatintellectuallyengagingwithhersharpenedhismind,anddeeplyand

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openlylovinghersoftenedhisheart.Stillthereaderisleftwondering,howdidherleavingchangehim? Willhe,inthisfinalencounterbethesamebitterandangrymanofbefore?Willthishavebeen exacerbatedorhealedinherabsence?JanefindsthatRochesterisnolongerfullofrage,butthathis sorrowhasintensified. Hisformwasofthesamestrongandstalwartcontourasever:hisportwasstillerect,hisheir wasstillravenblacknorwerehisfeaturesalteredorsunk:notinoneyearsspace,byany sorrow,couldhisathleticstrengthbequelledorhisvigorousprimeblighted.Butinhiscountenance Isawachange:thatlookeddesperateandbrooding...(JE483). Shestillbelievesthatheisferociousbuthasnotyetobservedthedeepsadnessthatshewillseewhen speakingwithhim.Whenheseizesheritisoutoffearthatheismad,andhistouchdoesnothurtheror causeherfearasbefore(JE486).Withoutherhehasbeensodesolatethathehasnotbeenbrutishwith anyone,yetinherpresenceagainhisfeelingaresoarousedthathecandonothingbutholdherand demandthatsheremainwithhim(JE490).Thoughhedoesnotrelentinseekingherpresence,hedoes againexpressthatshealoneholdsalljoyforhim,astatementthatraisestearsinhereyes.Hefeelsas thoughthemasculinepowerthatheoncehadhasvanishedandthathecannolongerholdanyattraction forher(JE491492). ItisthelastthinghesaysbeforeBrntesConclusionthatistherealevidenceofachanged man:IthankmyMaker,that,inthemidstofjudgement,Hehasremembermercy.Ihumblyentreatmy RedeemertogivemestrengthtoleadhenceforthapurerlifethanIhavedonehitherto(JE502)!Jane inspiresthispassionnewlytaperedwithhumility.RochesterandJanehavemiraculouslyhelpedone anothertoriseabovesocialconstructsofgoodness.Throughtheirowntrials,theyhavelearnedtobethe bestversionofthemselves.Passionate,masculineRochester,whilestillmaintainingthesecharacteristics hasaddedthevirtueofhumility.ThereisnodoubtinthemindofthereaderthatRochesterisas powerfullymasculineashealwayswas,onlyalsogentlerandhumbler.

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