Blast from the Past

After finding herself to be an accomplished young woman at Lowood, Jane is prepared to move on from what she knows and leave the past behind. Although, before she can do this, the past must once again grasp her once again within its strong hold and send her sailing on a cloud of resentment and wonder. When Jane finds Bessie at Lowood she is over delighted to have found the company of an old friend. Bessie is grown with a young boy and Jane is pleased to know that Bessie has made something more for herself than a life at Gateshead. Jane is saddened when Bessie informs her with frankness that Jane is all she would have ever expected her to be. None the less, Jane continues on to inform Bessie of her accomplishments and Bessie finds in Jane a certain accomplished greatness far beyond what she ever thought. It surprised me that Jane continued to ask for information from her past. She wanted to know every detail, even as to what her cousins looked like. Her true emotions seemed covered by a hidden anger that she will always carry forward about the Reed family. I thought it most shocking when Bessie informs Jane of the visit of Mr. Eyre. She said he seemed a true gentleman, although Jane’s lack of interest shocked me. To think she didn’t want to inquire further about her true family, possibly a family that could love her more than the Reed family ever had. Indeed, they had come searching for her and apparently been disappointed when she was not still residing at Gateshead. The past is gone when the two woman finally part. They “both go their own ways” to start new chapters in their lives. This moment, I would have assumed to be sad is more exciting and overwhelming. Jane has become more than anyone thought she would be, and she is persistently moving on in her own direction towards something that seems better, leaving the past behind.