To change things around Bronte seems to have decided a longer chapter was in order. I preferred the shorter ones. Jane and Rochester announce their engagement to the other people in Thornfield, as otherwise they may have got the wrong impression. Jane and Rochester seem to feel more comfortable arguing properly especially over such things as jewellery and expensive clothes, as Jane wants none. Jane, Rochester and Adele all go to Millcote together, to go shopping. Not the most interesting chapter really.
Themes
The only real theme in this chapter is class and social status, as Jane doesn’t feel she should be able to move up a class just by marriage, as she would still be the same person at heart, and wouldn't feel right in social gathering, covered in jewellery and pretty clothes. Rochester doesn’t seem to understand this, perhaps because he has never had to view his society from the outside before.
Narrative voice
Jane seems much more assertive in this chapter, perhaps because she finally knows where she stands with Mr Rochester, although she still calls him sir, which is slightly odd. Perhaps it’s just a thought of habit. I got slightly confused at one point, where Jane says to Rochester “I’ll wear nothing but my old Lowood frocks to the end of the chapter." does this mean chapter as in this chapter, or something else that’s more significant
Response
I think it’s nice that Jane feel that jewellery will mess with her sense of identity, as she’s right I think, jewellery and Jane don’t seem to go together. I also like how Jane is now standing up for herself, and fighting her corner on things she finds important
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