In Mr. Edward Rochester, Brontë has given us another character that is not exactly physically breath-taking. Rochester can be considered the ‘hero’ of the novel, but yet again, Brontë has broken tradition and has left Rochester’s physical visage slightly lacking.
I recognized his decisive nose, more remarkable for character than beauty;
A good figure in the athletic sense of the term – broad-chested and thin-flanked, though neither tall nor graceful.
He too, acknowledges his slight inadequacy, in a blatant statement to Miss Eyre, “Though you are not pretty any more than I am handsome.” He is, however, an intelligent, experienced gentleman, Mr. Rochester, and the master of manse, Thornfield Hall, where Miss Eyre becomes employed as Governess to Rochester’s ward, Adèle. The old, widow housekeeper describes him as a “very good master”, and a man of “unimpeachable character”, although Miss Eyre prefers the terms “peculiar, changeful, and abrupt” at first. Love eventually blossoms, though not in the hopelessly romantic way found in tradition. Rochester becomes gradually attracted to the uniqueness of Jane Eyre’s mind, the freshness and difference she has that sets her apart from a million “raw, inexperienced governesses”. They do not cavort amongst the peach trees whispering sweet nothings to each other. Instead they converse, or rather, Rochester talks and Jane listens intently, and Rochester relishes the fact that she has “gravity, considerateness and caution,” and states that she was ”made to be the recipient of secrets”. Jane is almost besotted with Rochester,
My master’s colourless, olive face, square, massive brow, broad and jetty eyebrows, deep eyes, strong features, firm grim mouth – all energy, decision, will – were not beautiful, according to rule; but they were more than beautiful to me.
Rochester proposes to her, after teasing and vexing her to tears, tricking her into thinking he was going to marry a beautiful lady, and Jane would be cast from the life that she currently loves. It’s almost as if he traps Jane into accepting, by using the truth, the truth in his eyes,
My bride is here, because my equal is here, my likeness.
That is a truly romantic line, and it serves to show how great a character and personality Jane Eyre is, and how much in love Rochester was with her, for we find out later in the story that Grace Poole, the mad woman who tried to burn Rochester alive, is actually Rochester’s wife! He loved her enough to attempt a bigamous marriage with a mad wife hidden away in his house! Again we refer to the fact that Jane is not beautiful. The best she can do is to make herself look plain. How Rochester could even think of marrying bigamously, which I suspect was considered a grievous sin, is a measure of the magnitude of the love that he had for Jane. This love that could be only brought about by that feeling of equality, that Jane was a match for Rochester, and he for her. He thought himself above the rest, but Jane proved herself as good as he. That was why their love was so strong. For all these reasons, Rochester’s proposal to Jane is my favourite part of the novel.
Jane did not marry Rochester after learning of the mad wife he kept. Her strong moral principles did not allow her to. Even though the circumstances were in her favour, she chose instead to consign herself to suffering and the obliteration of Thornfield and its residents from her thoughts. It was a brave thing to do, for I shouldn’t think it would have been easy for her to find anyone as willing and able to love her. She wandered away from Thornfield, and after days of wandering, arrived at the Moor House door, half dead from starvation. Mr. St John Rivers and his sisters took her in, and nursed her back to health. Rivers is akin to a hero in the novel, but in comparison with the other two, he is handsome.
His face riveted the eye; it was like a Greek face, very pure in outline, quite a straight, classic nose; quite an Athenian mouth and chin.
He might well be a little shocked at the irregularity of my lineaments, his own being so harmonious.
Rivers is indeed a pleasant sight, but his disposition is as cold and silent as the statues he so finely resembles. He is described by his sister as “inexorable as death”. The reason lies in the fact that he is a parson, and that at first he did not take kindly to the idea of this sort of employment being forced upon him. He has gradually come to ‘accept’ the fact that what he is doing is right, though. Rivers helps Jane find employment, and interestingly enough, we find Rivers admiring the strengths of Jane’s character,
“You are original,” said he, “and not timid. There is something brave in your spirit, and something penetrating in your eye.”
“I consider you a specimen of diligent, orderly energetic woman…”
And Rivers too, proposes to Jane Eyre. Though it is not in quite the same way as Rochester’s proposal, both propose to her because of her character, her strong personality, disposition and intelligence.
“I do not speak to the feeble, or think of them: I address only such as are worthy of the work, and competent to accomplish it.”
“It is not personal, but mental endowments they have given you: you are formed for labour, not for love.”
Again the qualities of Jane’s character have become obvious, this time in Rivers’ proposal to Jane to become his wife: a missionary’s wife.
Charlotte Brontë creates quite a strong character in Jane Eyre. Jane, though not endowed with beauty, is amply gifted with intelligence, rational and strong principled thinking, and a hardworking demeanour. Through the two characters Edward Rochester and St. John Rivers, we are able to see how Jane’s gifts make her attractive to the feelings and emotions in an incredible magnitude. Jane Eyre is quite simply a different kind beauty.
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”
