2. Compare and contrast St. John to Rochester. Who is the better choice for a husband for Jane? Why?
St. John was a very quiet person who kept to himself. He would speak very little and on the rare occasion it would prove to be for business purposes. He proved to be the kind of person who would do anything that would benefit him. In contrast to St. John, Rochester was a very lively person. He was very talkative and passionate. His company was enjoyable by others and he expressed genuine emotions.
St. John only wanted to marry Jane because he believed she would make a wonderful missionary's wife. I would say that his intentions to do good for other people and promote his Christian faith was all in all good, but how he treated Jane was terrible. He was so cold toward her, and he didn't truly love her. Rochester on the other hand was so madly in love with Jane. He loved everything about her. He saw within her a beauty that no one else could see. He loved everything about her. Accordingly, Jane unconditionally loved Rochester. Regardless of the fact that he was now blind and crippled she still held just as much love for him.
I believe that the better choice of husband for Jane would be Rochester. As Jane herself stated that St. John was not her husband and would never be, as she continued to say, "He does not love me: I do not love him.....I am not happy at his side, nor near him, nor with him. He has no indulgence for me---no fondness. He sees nothign attractive in me; not even youth---only a few useful mental points." (chapter 37, pg 451)
This is by far one of my favourite quotes throughout the novel. Jane expresses how she feels so clearly and makes the choice for the better husband obvious. Jane and Rochester belong together. They love one another and he makes her happy, which is something Jane deserves. Even though St. John may have took Jane in and provided food and shelter for her, thats not a good enough reason to devote the rest of your life to a man who does not even love you. No marriage with love is far better than a marriage without it.
http://www.margonaut.com/newblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/love-11.jpg
I chose this image because it represents the love that Jane and Rochester have for one another. It says love never fails, and in Jane and Rochester's case this is very true. Even though they had been through hard times together and Jane left and found St. John, she never was able to experience the same feeling she got when she was with Rochester. In the end their love prevailed and they got married. :)
My comment is posted here:
http://englishpassione.blogspot.com/2010/10/reader-response-chapters-28-38.html
Yours Truly, yummyichigo;)
I completely agree with you. I think that Jane made the right choice by choosing Rochester. Firstly, Rochester is the man who actually cares about her. St.John just wants her to be his wife because of the fact that she would make a good "missionary's wife". I agree with you when you say that the love and caring that Rochester provides Jane with is something she deserves. I think a marriage is more important with desire, than just with just logic. Well written :)
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