Jane visits the gypsy, who pretends to tell her her fortunes, and those of Rochester's, to see if Jane says anything that may reveal her innermost feelings. Towards the end of the chapter, the gypsy suddenly takes of her disguise and becomes...Mr Rochester (he must be an amazing actor, to convince everyone that he is not only a gypsy, but also a woman?!) Jane mentioned that Mr Mason had arrived, and Rochester's demeanour changes instantly. However, when the two meet, everything seems fine.
Themes
I suppose the main theme in this chapter is trickery, as Mr Rochester's gypsy costume seems a bit unfair, as he's using it to his own advantage, to find out what people are really thinking about him, especially Blanche and Jane, as they form a love triangle, and Rochester's trying to find out their feelings towards him, which is mean and unfair. However, his trickery doesn't seem to work on Jane this time, as she doesn't believe the gypsy if for real anyway, and is therefore careful with what she reveals. Peoples looks, and how they connect to their character, also known as physiognomy, is also becoming a theme, as Jane seems to judge most people by there looks, as many people did back then, and the 'gypsy' tries to read Jane's features, and finds them conflicting.
Motifs
The two main motifs, fire and red, are both mentioned in this chapter. The Gypsy's cloak is red, perhaps showing how, if Jane wasn't careful, what she said could get her into a bit of a hole. Mr Rochester as the gypsy also says that Jane has fire inside her, although she tries to hide it.
Narrative voice
Again, most of this chapter is dialogue, so not much of the narrators feelings can come through the prose, but from what is there, it seems that Jane is quite nervous of making a bad impression, and although she tries not to be, she seems quite afraid of the gypsy, or, perhaps more accurately, what the gypsy may say about her future.
Response
I still find it amazing that Rochester can convince everyone, including two women who love him, that he is a female gypsy! I think that Rochester's trickery is very unfair, as if someone doesn't want to tell you something, trying to trick them it out of them is mean, and i cant understand why Jane forgives Rochester so easily.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
I agree that it seems odd that R could convince them he is a gypsy woman. But think about the theme of deception here. Is this making us think about how succesful and skilful R is in deceiving women?
I think that the reason why Jane would forgive Rochester quicker than usual is probably because she loves him, so is looking through 'rose tinted glasses.'
Yes I agree, when Jane is in love she looks at everything through rose-tinted glasses, even herself (egchapter 24, after the proposal)'when arranging my hair I looked at myself in the glass, and felt it was no longer plain:' she is weak and vain. and plain. she is weak because she clings onto ANYBODY who pays her the slightest bit of attention, she longs for love, and therefore forgives Rochester, even though he is a treacherous, cheating, pathetic excuce for a human being.
You don't seem to like Jane very much do you? But you're right, the rose tinted glasses thing is kinda irritating. Anyway, back to Dons comment, if Rochester is so good at decieving women, then how come Jane left, as surely he would be able to trick her into staying?
He did trick her for quite a while, how many poeple would actually believe that a person wouldn't fire someone for attempted murder?
Janes quite guillible (scuse spelling) really
Post a Comment