Jane Eyre · Chapter
XXVII explained
Jane resolves to leave Thornfield after learning of Rochester's existing marriage.
What happens
Jane resolves to leave Thornfield after learning of Rochester's existing marriage. Rochester tries to persuade her to stay and become his mistress, recounting his past with Bertha Mason and his subsequent search for a suitable partner. Despite her love for him, Jane's conscience and moral integrity compel her to resist his pleas and prepare to depart.
Themes in this chapter
Self-Respect and Integrity
Jane's internal struggle and ultimate decision to leave Rochester despite her love demonstrates her commitment to her moral principles and self-respect.
Love and Morality
The conflict between Jane's deep love for Rochester and her moral refusal to become his mistress is central to the chapter.
Madness and Secrecy
Rochester's revelation of Bertha's madness and the secret of his marriage underscores the theme of hidden truths and their destructive consequences.
Characters to notice
- Jane Eyre
Struggles with her love for Rochester and her moral duty to leave him; ultimately decides to follow her conscience.
- Mr. Rochester
Pleads with Jane to stay, recounts his disastrous marriage to Bertha Mason and his subsequent search for a worthy partner.
- Bertha Mason
Referred to as Rochester's mad wife, whose existence prevents Jane from marrying him.
- Céline Varens
Mentioned as Rochester's first mistress, whose betrayal ended their liaison.
- Adèle Varens
Jane mentions she must leave Adèle as part of her departure from Thornfield.
Key passages
“Mr. Rochester, I must leave you.”
Jane tells Rochester she has to go away from him.
Jane asserts her decision to leave despite her feelings.
“Sir, your wife is living: that is a fact acknowledged this morning by yourself. If I lived with you as you desire, I should then be your mistress: to say otherwise is sophistical—is false.”
Jane points out that Rochester's wife is still alive, so living with him would make her his mistress, not his wife.
Jane rejects Rochester's rationalization and holds to the truth.
“I wrestled with my own resolution: I wanted to be weak that I might avoid the awful passage of further suffering I saw laid out for me; and Conscience, turned tyrant, held Passion by the throat...”
Jane fought against her own determination, tempted to give in to avoid pain, but her conscience overpowered her emotions.
Jane's internal conflict between desire and duty is vividly described.