Monday, September 15, 2008

Home?

All her life Jane has been displaced. She has never truly had a place to call home. After visiting once again her first “home” at Gateshead, Jane is wondering what it will be like to return to Thornfield. She has never returned anywhere that has made her welcome. She has never been to a place she finds suit to call home. When greeted by Rochester at the gates of Thornfield, Jane is embraced with a strange aura of peace. He welcomes her home and inquires about her thoughts of him. When Jane is even further welcomed by Mrs. Fairfax and the like, she feels comforted. But, she does not forget her self promise to not stay long. Rochester promised her that he would find her a place suitable once he was married. She is sure this will come soon and does not relax into the thought of calling Thornfield home. She finds comfort in all the place has to offer, but she feels as though she can’t attach herself (even though she already has, probably more than she wanted to.) Will Jane find comfort in the place Rochester calls her home? Or will she escape, once again, to someplace she can only hope to find comfort within?

2 comments:

David Lavender said...

A wise focus on "home: here (and I think your analysis of this term is shrewd). However, you overlook one key line: when Jane comes right out and tells Rochester "Wherever you are is my home--my only home" (283). Is she setting herself up to be 'homeless' once Rochester marries Blanche?

Walker said...

too much plot summary. but i see what you're getting at