Jane Eyre, written in 1847, is a novel written in autobiographical style about
an orphan girl’s quest for love. The novel reflects contemporary life of that
period and everything that happens is seen from Jane Eyre’s, the protagonists
point of view. Although the story reflects the language, customs, and style of
the Victorian period, the elements of mystery, emotions and struggles transcend
time. The emotion of love is universal to all human beings and in not defined by
a period of time. It is written about similarly from century to century. For the
most part, people seek to be loved and to love. In this respect, Jane Eyre does
not differ. Webster’s dictionary defines a relationship as the mutual exchange
between two people who have dealings with one another. It is a common
observation that human beings have a multitude of different types of
relationships with the individuals they deal with. However, these relationships
are further delineated by gender, culture, age, social status, and authority. A
meaningful relationship between a girl and her girlfriends will generally be
different than the relationship of between her and her male peers. Another
characteristic of human relationships is that they are dynamic. Relationships
can change from day to day, season to season and year to year. At some point in
most individuals’ life they will seek a meaningful, romantic relationship
resulting in love, commitment, companionship and happiness. After a somewhat
hard childhood, deprived of affection, security and love, Jane enjoys much
comfort and freedom at Thornfield. However she continues to experience
restlessness and boredom until the arrival of Mr. Rochester. After a quiet,
reserved period, Jane and Mr. Rochester spend many hours in conversation. Jane
becomes alive in his attention, is stimulated by the challenges he offers and is
comfortable in arguing against his opinions. Throughout the first part of the
novel Jane is presented as exhibiting spiritual isolation . However, she seeks
to give and receive love from her surroundings and those in her surroundings. To
Jane love “is the power which sustains life.” Mr. Rochester confides to Jane
that he is in despair, believing himself doomed to suffer for his past sins.
Although he tells her of a love he once experienced, the love was jaded. Apart
from this brief confession, the reader is aware that Jane and Mr. Rochester’s
conversations are limited to general conversations regarding philosophy. It is
very evident to the reader in the first part of the novel that a mutual
attraction if felt by both Jane and Mr. Rochester. Although, until they can get
through some obstacles that stand in their way, the attraction the share will
not progress into a meaningful relationship; it will remain static. Jane
Eyre’s experiences with the male species is very limited. There do not appear
to be any significant males in her life prior to her arrival at Thornfield.
Therefore, she has no experience in the art of courting Mr. Rochester. He, on
the other hand, appears to have had at least one meaningful romantic
relationship (with Celine Varens) which he describes and confesses to Jane. The
love relationship ended when Rochester discovered that the woman did not really
love him, but loved his money and status. Furthermore, Rochester, from Jane’s
point of view, is being pursued by Blanche Ingram. At one point he suggests to
Jane that he may be marrying Blanche Ingram. The reader, given Jane’s
analytical observations, feels that Mr. Rochester is trying to get Jane to
reveal her feelings for him. However, Jane with her limited experience regarding
males and courtship does not see this. What is holding back the progression of
the relationship is pride and fear of rejected love. We know that Mr. Rochester
is intelligent, proud, and cynical. He hopes that Jane will understand his true
feelings about her and even goes to the extreme of dressing up as a gypsy in
order to find out if Jane really does love him. However, Jane does not see
through the deeper meaning of this deception and tells him very little of her
feelings. Once again, it is her pride that stops her. Many people would classify
this as a situation of “you tell me first.” As Rochester is more
experienced, is of higher social status, and in a superior position, he should
overcome his pride and reveal his feelings for Jane. Jane could do more to
reveal some of her feelings towards Rochester, however she is left with the
impression that he will marry Blanche Ingram. They will be in a predicament
until one of them overcomes their pride. Related to the issue of pride is
honesty. As the book is written in an autobiographical style the reader is aware
of Jane’s feelings regarding Rochester. However, the reader is not certain
that Rochester returns Jane’s love. There are several instances and hints that
Rochester is not telling Jane the complete truth of everything related to his
past. Although he confesses about the way he was hurt by Celine Varens, Jane
feels there are things in his past which contribute to his discontent and which
he will not reveal to her. “What alienates him from the house? Will he leave
it again soon? Mrs. Fairfax said he seldom stayed longer than a fortnight at a
time.” Not long after this, Jane is awaken in the middle of the night by a
“chronic laugh” outside her room. Someone has set fire to the heavy curtains
around Rochester’s bed. Jane is naturally suspicious about the mysterious
surroundings of Thornfield and Rochester. He dismisses her concerns and asks her
not to reveal her suspicions to anyone. A further instance of Rochester’s
questionable honesty is his attempt to pass himself off as a gypsy. Jane is not
impressed by this, “ In short, I believe you have been trying to draw me out-
or in; you have been talking nonsense to make me talk nonsense. It is scarcely
fair, sir.” Why is honesty important to a meaningful relationship? Honesty is
the base on which trust is formed. To feel comfort, love and security in a
relationship, honesty, thus trust is essential. Rochester will, at some point,
have to be honest with Jane in order to gain her trust, and alienate the
anxieties surrounding their present relationship. Another obstacle that
Rochester and Jane must overcome is the difference in their age. Jane is only
eighteen years old, whereas Rochester is approximately forty years old. In our
contemporary society, this age difference would be a significant obstacle. Life
experiences, maturity, and different points along the life continuum, are all
factors. In the novel “Jane Eyre,” Jane does not view this as a great
obstacle as she very seldom reflects on Rochester’s age. She values his
experiences and maturity as she does her own. She is not bitter about her past
hardships, but views them as a learning experience. Rochester, on the other
hand, frequently refers to her youthfulness, limited experiences and calls her
“my little friend.” “ I envy you, your peace of mind, your clean
conscience, and your unpolluted memory little girl.” In the period of time
when this novel was written, it was rather acceptable for older men to marry
younger women. Often women who did not marry before the age of twenty were
considered to be spinsters. The vast majority of individuals do not believe that
Rochester is not so much concerned about Jane’s relative age, but more so her
lack of experience. However, the reader is aware of Jane’s extensive life
experiences and the obstacles she has had to overcome to reach her life at
Thornfield. If Rochester acquires more details of Jane’s earlier life and Jane
more willingly discusses them, he will learn and appreciate that she surmounted
many obstacles to becoming self- sufficient. What she lacks in years, she does
not lack in experience with the exception of romantic involvement. Neither one
can change their age, but how they view life experiences is more important. In
reading books, magazines and watching television and movies, a modern theme that
is prevalent with regards to meaningful and successful relationships is the
willingness of two people to communicate, not just covers. Communication
involves sharing and listening, while conversing is just talking. Jane and
Rochester have to communicate to overcome the obstacles of pride, dishonesty,
and lack of trust. They must share their past experiences with one another.