Chapter thirty-eight

The last chapter of the book (yay!). This is really just a tying up of loose ends, where Jane tells us how everyone ended up. She and Mr Rochester get happily married, and ten years on, they are still living together, with Adele and their son, who is not named. After two years it turns out the Rochester is getting his sight back, and soon he is able to see out of one eye quite well, which is nice. Diana and Mary Rivers both get married to loving husbands, Captain Fitzjames and Mr. Wharton, and they live happily too. St John Rivers, however, does not find a wife in the end ( he must feel so left out), and he is starting to feel the effects of his missionary work in India, being close to death. The books final words are his : "My Master," he says, "has forewarned me. Daily He announces more distinctly,--'Surely I come quickly!' and hourly I more eagerly respond,--'Amen; even so come, Lord Jesus!'"



Themes



The theme here is love, as nearly everyone has married, and has found a loving and caring family, both of which are very important to Jane. The idea of Jane and Mr Rochester being as one flesh is mentioned again, saying "No woman was ever nearer to her mate than I am: ever more absolutely bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh, this links to the religious theme, as this is related to the original couple, Adam and Eve. Another link to religion is St John, who spent the rest of his life being a missionary in India, which exhausted him, and when the book finishes he is close to death. This, however, does not faze him, and he has an attitude very much like Helen Burns, saying that he has heard God calling for him, and he cannot wait to join him in heaven. There is also a slight feeling of isolation, as Jane and Rochester seem to be quite cut off from everyone else, however, this time the isolation is Jane's own choice, and that is how she wants her life to be, just her and her family, and so its a happier kind of isolation. The theme of status is also mentioned slightly, as with Rochester getting his sight back, he no longer needs to rely on Jane, and they are therefore now equals.



Narrative Voice



Jane seems quite happy and calm in this chapter, as her story is now complete, it had a happy ending after all, and everyone seems to be content. Jane's joy of being able to spend her life with Rochester is also apparent, and i think it makes a brilliant to the novel.



Response



I think this chapter ties everything up quite well, all the subplots are sorted, and its a good ending for all. Jane even sets out to fix some things, for example taking Adele out of the Lowood-like school, to stop her from living a life such as Jane's. I thought it was good that St Johns fate was also slipped in, as it gives the reader a reality check, as not everything can always turn out good.