Examples Of Tribulations In Jane Eyre

In the novel Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, the main protagonist, Jane experiences a lot of tribulations in life. When she thinks she can lead a happy life with her lover, Mr. Edward Rochester, she finds out that he is, in fact, hiding a dark secret. On the day of their wedding, she discovers that he is already married. Her beliefs and moral standing leads her to leave Mr. Rochester and Thornfield, her safe haven, because she does not want to partake in Mr. Rochester’s infidelity to Bertha Mason. In choosing to leave Mr. Rochester, she gains many more different types of happiness that she would have not had the chance to discover had she stayed with him. In the end, this decision leads to her ultimate happiness as she becomes aware that these
John, Diana, and Mary (p.388-391). Knowing that she has family and is not completely alone as she once believed can also be considered an additional form of happiness. This idea is reinforced through the quote, “It may be of no moment to you; you have sisters, and don’t care for a cousin; but I had nobody; and now three relations… are born into my world full grown. I say again, I am glad” (392), which is Jane’s defence for being happier at knowing that she has family compared to her weak reaction to her vast fortune. As Jane, stays with the Rivers, she begins to create a new precious bond with each of them and takes a liking to them, especially the “two sisters, whose qualities were such, that, when I [Jane] knew them but as mere strangers, they had inspired me [her] with genuine affection and admiration” (391). Furthermore, Diana teaches Jane German which in a sense can add more to her name, education, and status. Seeing that even in the future the cousins remain in contact is further proof that her relationship with them is dear to her. This experience for Jane not only gives her familial happiness, but also increases her status in many ways (i.e., through wealth and education) so that she can be equal to Mr. Rochester instead of just being a governess-turned
Rochester, Jane is there to save him. With this fact in mind, If Jane stayed with Mr. Rochester, he may have been safe from the second fire, and thus not blinded. As harsh as this may sound, Mr. Rochester is only able to find insight on his morals, through losing his eyesight. In being blind, he is able to see his mistakes and what he was pushing Jane to do. Mr. Rochester’s experience and handicaps leads him to realize his potential sin, “I did wrong: I would have sullied my innocent flower — breathed guilt on its purity” (454), and thus teaches him how to truly love and respect Jane. In a sense, through this experience, Mr. Rochester is able to turn into a better person as well as becoming more equal to Jane as he depends on her more, “Mr. Rochester continued blind for the first two years of our union: perhaps it was that circumstance that drew us so very near — that knit us so very close! For I was his vision, as I am still his right hand” (459). Furthermore, the only way for Jane and Mr. Rochester to live a sinless and equal marriage is for Bertha to die which does happen in the end. With this in mind, by initially leaving him, she is able to marry him without any worries or guilt. That said, by experiencing all her challenges because of her personal convictions, Jane is finally able to achieve ultimate happiness and does not have to simply