Assignment 4

Jane continues to endure a hard life at Lowood, although her blossoming relationship with Ms. Temple helps her to tolerate being there. Soon, Helen dies from the consumption and Jane makes a new friend, Mary Ann. After telling Ms. Temple the truth about her life growing up, Jane is excused from all things accused of her by Mr. Brocklehurst and begins to excel in school. After completing six years as a student and two years as a teacher, Jane decides to leave school in search of a new life after Ms. Temple leaves. She receives a letter from a Mrs. Fairfax inviting her to teach a young French girl named Adele at Thornfield Manor. A while after being there, Jane unknowingly meets Mr. Rochester, the owner of Thornfield, while out mailing a letter. She later comes back to Thornfield to find him there and discovers who he is.  Jane has a very similar story compared to other mistreated heroines such as Cinderella or Snow White. As a child, her life is very grim, living under the control of negligent family members and has very few friends. She is taught that she is always the one at fault and deserves her punishments. Mrs. Fairfax’s description of Rochester leads the reader to believe he is a respectable, warm and responsible man who is respected throughout the community and household. He is however, a somewhat mysterious character in the way that he is rarely at Thornfield and takes care of business from afar. Rochester’s appearance in the book states that he has a dark face with stern features and a heavy brow and is somewhat younger looking. He’s not quite handsome nor charming, but there is something about him that makes you think twice. He is somewhat abrupt and upfront in his manner, so comparing him with the more classic romantic hero makes him seem a bit odd.