Byronic Hero: Bad News for the Ladies??

1/16/2013

Rochester is a tormented character, full of contradictions, particularly when it comes to his treatment of Jane. Modern readers aren't always sure what to make of him--perhaps for good reason. Critics have long touted Rochester as an example of the Byronic Hero, a seething, dark, yet powerfully attractive male character. This archetype was developed in the writings of Lord Byron during the Romantic period (roughly 1770-1840), and
continues to manifest in pop culture today (Edward Cullen, anyone? And/or the other hundred sultry vampires on television?).

In order to gain more literary and historical context, please read the following articles online:

1. Overview of the Byronic Hero
http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/sfarris/Files/AP%20Lit%20Files/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Characteristics%20of%20the%20Byronic%20Hero.pdf

2. Overview of Romanticism
http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/rom.html

Considering both articles, as well as your assigned reading in
Jane Eyre, please write a post that answers the following questions.
To what extent can Rochester be considered a Byronic Hero?
Which of these qualities are attractive to Jane? Which of these qualities
contribute to the shocking revelations of 25/26 and ultimately push
her away? How might Rochester be considered bad news
to Bertha as well as to Jane? Please integrate direct quotes into your analysis.
Please also reply to at least one of your classmates.

Length: 2-3 paragraphs for original post.
1-2 paragraphs for reply to classmate.

Due: Wednesday night (Jan 16),
by midnight at the latest.

32 Comments

Kelsey Liljedahl

1/15/2013 11:08:19 pm

Rochester has a couple qualities of a Byronic Hero. For example, he can be down right moody and he is involved in dark, mysterious situations. Mr. Rochester's dark situation is how he has a mentally unstable wife who lives in the attic at Thornfield. He tries to deny the existence of her by arguing with Mr. Mason by saying "' That--if a genuine document--may prove I have been married, but it does not prove that the woman mentioned there in as my wife is still living"' (308 Bronte). It is an obscure secret that Mr. Rochester fails to keep from Jane. When Jane meets Bertha there is no doubt in her mind that she is crazy because "the lunatic sprang and grappled [Mr. Rochester's] throat viciously, and laid her teeth ito his cheek" (311). Along with Mr. Rochester's darkness, he is also rather moody. He was not patient while Jane is getting ready for the wedding. Jane describes Mr. Rochester as "so bent up to a purpose, so grimly resolute" (305 Bronte). Although, it makes sense for him to be in a rush to marry and to not be in a happy giddy mood the day of the wedding--because the sooner they are married the sooner they can travel away from Thornfield and from Mr. Rochester's wife Bertha.

I think Jane is facinated by Mr. Rochester's dark moods and dark qualities. When people show they are upset or moody about something it makes them at least seem genuine. If people seem genuine it is less likely to think they are hiding something. Also Jane seems to get annoyed with peopple who are fake, therefore Rochester's honesty and moodiness is probably reassuing to her. However, when she finds out about his obscure secrets, she is pushed away. Not only did Mr. Rochester keep that he is currently married to Bertha a secret, but he also flat out lied to Jane about what she saw. Jane explained to Mr. Rochester that someone had been creeping in her room, and Mr Rochester told Jane "half-dream, half-reality. A woman did, I doubt not, enter your room: and that woman was--must have been--Grace Poole" (302). He can't admit to his secret. It would have been smarter of Rochester to have told Jane about Bertha as soon as he started having feelings for Jane. Since he has pulled Jane so close to him, and since she trusts him--the news will hurt than it would have if he had told her at the beginning. Rochester is hurting Bertha as well because he keeps her locked in an attic all day and night under the care of Grace Poole. It is hard to say whether she became mad after being locked up, or if she was already crazy and therefore had to be locked up.

Mahina

1/16/2013 07:51:02 am

Kelsey, I liked the way you continually reiterated the fact that Rochester is moody, this is not a point I have really thought about before. When you say "When people show they are upset or moody about something it makes them at least seem genuine. If people seem genuine it is less likely to think they are hiding something." That is a great point and really shows what you're getting at in your response. As for your analysis on the lies and secrets that Rochester is hiding from Jane, I think you make a great point saying how much better it would have been for Rochester to be straight up with Jane from the beginning, because as women, we know we don't like to be lied to ;) hehe. Also, I agree with you when you say you are unsure of whether Bertha went mad before or after her constant concealment, though I have to assume that he wouldn't have locked her away for 15 years if she weren't mad. But he must still deeply care for her, to have not cast her out into the world. Anyway! Great response, I enjoyed reading :)

Kiley Jolicoeur

1/16/2013 08:36:51 am

I like your point about Jane being fascinated by Rochester's "dark" qualities; they cast him into the light of an almost stereotypical Byronic hero (in that sense).
I disagree with you, however, on two points; firstly, I think there was the potential for a worse situation if Rochester had told Jane about Bertha long before this since if things had progressed in the same way (though I doubt given her character that they would have) she would have become a knowing adulteress. Also, Rochester states that "Bertha, like a dutiful child, copied her parent in both points" after describing how Bertha's mother was "both a mad woman and a drunkard" (294).

Kelsey Liljedahl

1/16/2013 11:46:07 am

Oh, okay yeah I guess Bertha went mad and Rochester had to lock her up--not the other way around. I didn't catch that Kiley.

Kallie Moulton

1/16/2013 11:18:39 am

I like that you mention Rochester's plans to get out of Thornfield with Jane. I think that fact makes him even more like a byronic hero-- not only is he hiding this huge secret about his wife, he's trying to isolate himself and Jane and escape from his past as well. I also think that what you mention about his trying to deny Bertha's existence even after the truth is revealed, is important because again, it really shows his byronic qualities. What you say about Jane liking his dark moods because they're at least sincere is interesting, I hadn't thought of that. Jane really values that kind of honesty and I think you do a good job of explaining how that causes her feelings to shift the moment she realizes that Rochester wasn't as honest as she thought he was.

Mahina

1/16/2013 07:58:27 am

*note* BHA stands for "Byronic Hero Article"

Dark and mysterious, often out of reach, and incredibly self aware, these qualities make Rochester a spitting image of the Byronic Hero. Jane, a maiden of Charlotte Bronte's mind, who was rather infatuated "with the aristocracy, their emancipation from Victorian prudery, and the attraction of the Byronic hero, beautiful but damned" (Byronic Hero Article). Beautiful but damned, a perfect phrase to represent not only Rochester, but his relationship with Jane. Rochester's "intellectual capacity, self-respect, and hypersensitivity" (BHA) drew Jane to him instantly, but the his concealing nature make it difficult for her to trust him, and with very good reason.
After so much trial and error, Rochester finally has Jane's hand, but like a Byronic Hero, he has a secret that reveals a darker truth, ultimately dooming his momentarily blossoming relationship with Jane. "The marriage cannot go on: I declare the existence of an impediment" (Bronte, 26) Interrupts Mr. Briggs just as Jane and Rochester are about to be wed. This impediment, this secret, Rochester's wife, Miss Bertha Mason. Now not only can he not be married to Jane, whom he declares he loves, he must also suffer the consequences of Miss Mason, who as he brings the crowd to her room, because of her insanity, and her being locked up for so many years she "sprang up and grappled [Mr. Rochester's throat viciously, and laid her teeth into his cheek" (26). And so says Rochester, "This is the sole conjugal embrace I am ever to know" (26). I feel no remorse for him, because of his Byronic heroism, this has been his secret to keep, and his secret to tell. His naivety led him to believe he could keep Bertha a secret and be married again, but the dark truth is revealed to all in the end.

Jamie

1/16/2013 10:29:13 am

Not part of my response, but you have an awesome voice when you write....
I thought that you had great examples of how Rochester was a Byronic hero, both from the articles and the book. You could have also mentioned how Rochester promised to tell Jane a year and one day after they were married about his "dark truth". This just further shows his distrust and awfulness, leading Jane into a mad house. However, had he told her, that wouldn't have been portrayal of a Byronic hero.
Like you said, I feel no remorse for Rochester either when I hear about his misfortunes. He deserved for his little games to bite him in the butt because he was being secretive! Such is the nature of the Byronic hero, and such we must put up with. But I hate him..

Allie

1/16/2013 12:37:01 pm

Just repeating what Jamie said initially--you have an amazing voice when you write. I think I have read your analysis five times already.
Anyway, i completely agree with your last statement regarding Rochester's (somewhat ironic) naiveté when he tries to marry Jane, despite his dark marital secret. All the comparisons you pull from the Byronic hero article and Mr. Rochester slide together perfectly. You probably could have also mentioned his travels and various forms of self-exile throughout his whole life. Overall though, this really captures the essence of Rochester's Byronic brooding.

Ms. Draper

1/16/2013 09:41:28 pm

"Such is the nature of the Byronic hero and such we must put up with." HA!

Kiley Jolicoeur

1/16/2013 08:29:58 am

Rochester can be considered a Byronic hero in many ways. He has, to some degree, currently exiled himself to Thornfield, and readily admits that he spent much time wandering through Europe.
Also, Rochester is very intellectual, as we see through his conversations with Jane. He can be very arrogant, and Jane frequently reminds him, "don't boast" (280).
Perhaps the largest factor that places Rochester into the category of Byronic hero, however, is Bertha Mason. "Often the Byronic hero is characterized by a guilty memory of some unnamed sexual crime" (Characteristics of the Byronic Hero reading). We don't know much about the situation at this point beyond the fact that Rochester claims that he was "cheated into espousing" (294) her, and that he intended "to be a bigamist" (294) and marry Jane despite his already-existing marriage. This is the quality that pushes Jane away, since it can be considered a sexual crime. Because of this attempted marriage, Rochester has shamed not only himself, but Jane and Bertha as well (Jane for being the mistress, Bertha for being the unwanted wife).

Michelle

1/16/2013 09:26:43 am

Kiley, I like how you mentioned that he exiled himself to Thornfield and that he travelled throughout Europe—that really goes along with the “dislocation” aspect of a Byronic Hero. I had never thought of that before and I think the fact that he moves around so much now—for business, though—contributes to the feeling that he doesn’t have a place in society. I had never thought of having Jane as a mistress as being a sexual crime, either, but that is COMPLETELY true! Also, we do know that Bertha is mad, and I believe that his being a bigamist wasn’t really his intended plan in the beginning… I think he wanted to marry Bertha and be happy with her forever until, of course, he found out about her family’s past. He is very hypocritical in that he doesn’t want to tell Jane of his past, yet it is such secrets and led to his unhappy marriage. You did a good job of pinpointing such hypocritical nature. Thanks for helping me to dislike Rochester more! :)

Connor Sheehan

1/16/2013 10:58:35 am

I like how your response is clear and concise. Instead of rambling, you get right to the point and still do a good job at answering the questions. I also like how you emphasize the "guilty memory of some unnamed sexual crime." Although Rochester is a Byronic Hero in many ways, this is probably the most prominent aspect to his character that makes him a Byronic Hero. The fact that Rochester openly admits he has another wife and fully intended to commit bigotry by marrying Jane shows how dark his character is. Though he downplays his first marriage and tries to rationalize, it is still nevertheless, a huge moral sin which is looked down upon by Jane's character.

Ms. Draper

1/16/2013 09:45:02 pm

Good points and also, another aspect of the "unnamed sexual crime" could also be the fact that he was originally seduced into marrying Bertha, who grew up in the colonies and is as such presumed to be an oversexualized being...so he was "weak" in following his lustful attraction and marrying her in the first place.

Michelle

1/16/2013 09:27:53 am

I wouldn’t put “hero” in Rochester’s title, but I will do so for this blog post if I must.
Rochester is a very conflicted and rebellious character. Not only is he already married when he agrees to marry Jane (surprise, surprise), he is also incredibly unsure of himself and is always testing Jane or ‘Janet’ to make sure that she is still smitten with him. He is also confident, ignorant of society’s values, and arrogant such as when he says “I am substantial enough:—touch me” (Bronte 281), all of which make Rochester a true Byronic Hero. Jane is attracted to the fact that his character makes him have heightened “emotional and intellectual capacities” and that he is simply fascinating in the way that he talks and acts around her, such as “hastily [flinging] his arms around [her]” (Bronte 287) and other behavior that emerges when his mood and self-confidence are at the right stages.
By the way, I don’t like Rochester.
Anyway, the revelations in 25 and 26 that bring his cheating and immoral ways to light also relate to the fact that Rochester is a Moronic Hero (sorry, I meant to say Byronic). His ignorance of society’s standards and his misunderstanding of himself result in his discounting of his own wife (locking her in a dungeon with Grace Poole is a different story, however…) and thinking it is ok to marry Jane. He is also unsure of himself, so being married to a mad woman would tank his self-esteem and, to him, everyone benefits if she is gone. Bertha has seen Rochester’s insecure, arrogant, yet smitten-at-first side while Jane has seen his loving, smart, unsure side, the opposite natures of which are also characteristics of an Idiotic Hero (sorry, another typo!).
This guy just keeps getting better, doesn’t he?
No matter what, Rochester will always be the insecure, overly-loving, disobeying, rebellious man based on the experiences he’s had and the problems that he’s encountered in his life. He is a Byronic hero in these aspects. He is bad news for Jane in that he lied to her, used her, and lead her on, but bad news to Bertha for leaving her, locking her away, and not having the patience to put up with her at the risk of his reputation. I think he is just a hateful man who doesn’t know his place in the world but thinks he can make up for that by wronging women. I hope Bertha bites him again.

Logan Gerchman

1/16/2013 10:22:03 am

I like how you mention Mr. Rochester's disregard for societal values through the example of his hidden marriage to Bertha. He was actually confident enough to think that he could keep his wife locked up in a room and marry another woman. He could easily have divorced her like any normal man, but his pride is too great. His efforts to try and conceal such a matter demonstrates his desire for control and power. It is quite arrogant however to think one could get away with such an act. This confidence certainly sets him apart as a Byronic hero.

Kelsey Liljedahl

1/16/2013 11:42:00 am

Michelle first I just want to say your so sillyyy! <3 Okay but for real, so I like how you gave examples of how he is arrogant. It is true that he is a very confident and boastful man. Maybe that is part of the reason why Jane is drawn to him--because maybe his confident ways make her feel safe and secure because if she ever has a problem she can just put it into his hands and trust him. However, like you said, he has "cheating and immoral ways". Because "he lied to her, used her, and lead her on" Jane deserves better. I really enjoyed how you pointed out all of Rochester's flaws. He is not fair when it comes to dealing with people and their feelings.

Logan Gerchman

1/16/2013 09:27:55 am

Mr. Rochester fits many of the qualities that comprise a Byronic hero. The most prominent characteristic of a Byronic hero is darkness and Mr. Rochester has plenty of darkness. He has a mysterious past that he does not quite explain but does admit that he has done something what he perceives as evil. From his he has a rather negative aspect outlook on life. It torments him and leaves him a hopeless man. Beyond his conservative nature and dark past, his very physical features emanate darkness. He has dark hear, a “face a colourless rock… eyes of flint,” and he even rides a black horse (292). He constantly seems to be wearing a mask of flint anger. “I wonder what other bridegroom ever looked as he did—so bent up to a purpose, so grimly resolute: or who, under such steadfast brows, ever revealed such flaming and flashing eyes” (290). Isolation is another aspect of a Byronic hero. Considering he lives in Thornfield, isolated to his office, accompanied by little servants, I’d say he is isolated. Mr. Rochester has also often expressed harsh mood swings each mood hosting a different passion whether it be his disdain for the world or his love for Jane. His disdain for the world comes about from his self perception of superiority. He is educated, wealthy, and musically talented. His arrogance does not go unnoticed by Jane.
The quality of the Byronic character in Rochester that shocks and scares away Jane is the dark past. On the day of their wedding the awful truth of Rochester’s past is revealed. He is a married man—bonded to Bertha Mason. This same Bertha is the demonic being that has been haunting Thornfield: setting Mr. Rochester on fire, igniting the halls with evil laughter, stabbing Mr. Mason and even sneaking into Jane’s room and breaking her wedding veil. Mr. Rochester is dangerous to Bertha for he feels the need to take care of her. However, his idea of taking care of her is locking her up in a room for the rest of her days. This could significantly worsen her mental state. Mr. Rochester should have taken her to a mental institute but his pride prohibited him from doing so. This same controlling nature accompanied by immense self pride that borders arrogance could be a potential danger to Jane. “He rose and came towards me, and I saw his face all kindled, and his full falcon-eye flashing.. I quailed momentarily then I rallied” (274). Such controlling passion would be mortifying to such a strong willed and independent individual such as Jane. Anything that Jane does that Mr. Rochester deems distasteful could be met with harsh retaliation.

Kyle Barboza

1/16/2013 01:55:16 pm

I really like your depth on Bertha. You go into great detail to expose his treatment and the correlation this could have on Jane. I also liked how you went and explored what Rochester was potential of and possible outcomes that Jane could meet. When you state "Anything that Jane does that Mr. Rochester deems distasteful could be met with harsh retaliation," you’re exploring a side of Rochester we haven't seen directly, yet you withdrew this information from his behavioral patterns. I’m glad you brought this to light because it is something many people fail to recognize that they have made assumptions here. I feel like we have similar points. You take into account Rochester and Jane's societal standings as factors of the depth to which Rochester appears to be a Byronic hero; I failed to notice how this information paralleled and exaggerated the circumstances.

Jamie Gullikson

1/16/2013 10:21:31 am

Good girls love a bad boy. This is the basis that the Byronic hero assumes. If Jane, a shrewd governess, hadn't found something attractive in the mysterious and dark character of Rochester, there would be no story. I believe that it is the nature of girls to want to make someone “better”, girls are naturally caring and nurturing. Jane was intrigued by Rochester's intellect and weird actions. This point seems proven when Jane pulls back from Rochester's acts of courtship. She wants the mystery, the formality that interested her in the first place.
Jane is playing perfectly into the part of the “good girl”, just as Rochester is a perfect Byronic hero. He is emotional abusive, to Jane and himself. He secludes himself at Thornfield and has very sudden changes of mood. He never seems to save Jane, as a traditional hero should. However, he still has charm and allure to Jane. Rochester's role of a Byronic hero is very important to the revelations in Chapter 26. When Jane finds out about Rochester's insane wife.
Suddenly, Jane is no longer seeing Rochester as shy, restrained and rebellious. He was a man that was toying with her feelings, evoked love and jealousy within her heart, only to let her down, to humiliate her in the most awful way. This goes to show how easy it is for Rochester to be detached. He assures Jane that Bertha in her room was only a dream, “...it must have been unreal,” (Bronte 200). Also, Rochester considers himself generous for letting Bertha live with him and not sending her away. He pities himself for having wound up with Bertha instead of pitying her for her illness. In Rochester's mind, everything revolves around him, which seems the perfect description of a Byronic hero.

Alec

1/16/2013 10:51:59 am

I really enjoy your comparison of the Byronic hero to the status of being a "bad boy". It's also interesting how you segway into Jane's very sudden shift in opinion of Rochester, from sort of an untamable and unattainable man of emotion to like this rich guy who likes to play games. Another good point you make is that, for Rochester, everything revolves around him, and I never really thought of him like that. He truly is a selfish man, and his hurtful lies and deceit make that evident.

Aldi Dinoshi

1/16/2013 12:28:46 pm

I like your rendition of Rochester. You track how Jane's thoughts of Rochester throughout these few chapters. He changes from a mysterious man to and evil one in Jane's eyes. Another thing that stood out to me is how you pointed out that Rochester believes his a generous for allowing his crazy wife to stay with him, it really shows that he is out of touch and gives him even more of a Byronic dark edge.

Alec

1/16/2013 10:41:06 am

Rochester's many facets as a flawed but charismatic human being are highly characteristic of the Byronic Hero. His present is very much burdened by the guilty memories of his past, and he is tied to a Woman who in one scene Bronte describes as “whether beast or human being, one could not, at first sight tell: it grovelled, seemingly, on all fours; it snatched and growled like some strange wild animal.”(25) However despite his flawed marital status, Rochester is also encumbered by the nagging of his very sincere, and human emotions, and while it is difficult to begrudge him his yearnings for human affection, they conflict highly with his natural tendency for common sense, and straightforward and intelligent (sometimes pompous) manner of speaking.
While Rochester is not necessarily isolated from the rest of society, he nevertheless experiences some degree of social separation due to his tendency to defy convention, and also as a direct result of his being chained to Bertha Mason, who is for the most part invalid. Despite all this Jane finds much in Rochester to be attracted to. Rochester's flawed past, and ever present unpredictability make him a bit of a mystery, and the duality of his kind nature, sometimes bitter and cruel, makes his mind somewhat of an enigma. With this in mind it makes sense that Jane would be attracted to him. His character is truly fascinating; he is dark, intelligent, and mysterious, and has a capacity for defying expectation, something that Jane has also been shown to possess.
Whether or not Rochester is good for Jane is an entirely different matter however, for while dark secrets are interesting and attractive, if there is one thing I have learned from the two seasons of Gossip Girl I have seen, they are not conducive for good relationships. When Rochester's secrets surface, Jane feels a pain unrivaled by anything she has experienced in reality, and she finds herself shocked that such pain can stem from consciousness. Rochester's deep, and thinly veiled vulnerability is something that makes him somewhat of an unstable character, and I don't think that's very good for Jane despite whatever feelings they may hold for each other. One must look only at the manner in which he treats his last wife for a little foreshadowing of how he may treat his next. Bertha lives in an attic. Enough said.

Joshua

1/16/2013 01:01:22 pm

I like how you use the article provided on the byronic hero to show that Rochester does not isolate himself from society, in that he still has social gatherings and such, but "he nervertheless experiences some degree of social seperation" because of his affilitation with, and marriage to, Bertha Mason.

Kallie Moulton

1/16/2013 10:56:14 am

A Byronic Hero, as the article states, is kind of a rebel. This label fits Rochester because he’s so unlike those in his social class. When he invited his peers to Thornfield, he always seemed detached and he despises the shallowness of the upper class as much as Jane does. He doesn’t care that his marriage to Jane isn’t necessarily socially acceptable. And based on the stories from his past about Celine Varens and the rest of his wild youth, it’s safe to say that Rochester was a rebel. Mrs. Fairfax also informs Jane that Rochester “broke with his family” (Bronte 133), this self exile is also a characteristic of a Byronic Hero.
Rochester’s dark nature and his secrets are also characteristics of a Byronic Hero. Aside from his obvious secret-- his insane wife-- Rochester has many dark qualities. He’s deceitful, having convinced Jane that he planned to marry Miss Ingram in order to make Jane jealous. He’s moody and can go from his playful banter with Jane to being extremely irritated. When she keeps him waiting on their wedding day he yells to her “My brain is on fire with impatience, and you tarry so long!” (304) and then moments later softens, calling Jane “fair as a lily” (304). Even his physical appearance seems dark. The first time they meet, Jane describes him as having “a dark face, with stern features and a heavy brow” (117). Rochester’s physical appearance of darkness is one thing that draws Jane in. His dark appearance makes him somewhat unattractive, and this makes Jane feel more comfortable and at ease with him, and also sets them on slightly more equal ground. His rebelliousness is what ultimately attracts Jane to him. She seems intrigued by his dark past, and is always welcoming new information about him. And she falls in love with him because he is so unlike his shallow peers, and she feels they’re intellectually equals. He made himself an outsider when he broke ties with his family, and life as an outsider is something Jane is familiar with.
As far as being bad news for Jane and Bertha, I think Rochester’s deceitful ways are what Jane needs to watch out for. He’s so willing to shut out the past, but as we see in chapter 26, it eventually catches up with him. It won’t be good for Jane to get dragged into his secrets. In similar ways he brings harm to Bertha. By trying to keep her a secret and locking her in the attic, he’s keeping her from getting real help for her condition. He resents her as well as her family for roping him into a terrible marriage, and clearly doesn’t have her best interests in mind.

Ms. Draper

1/16/2013 10:02:39 pm

Good point about self-exile....
That's a very important aspect of Rochester, and will resurface later.

Connor Sheehan

1/16/2013 10:57:44 am

Rochester follows the guidelines of a Byronic Hero across the board. In his appearance, Rochester is described as a dark man, emphasized by his deep, black eyes. Along with his dark complexion, Rochester also is isolated to some extent. Though traveling often, he likes to isolate himself in the dark halls of Thornfield. In scenes he is often seen alone before being approached by Jane or other characters. His isolation is also emphasized through his social interactions with others, which is obscure and awkward. And lastly, Rochester is both moody and passionate. His moodiness is made obvious in his interactions with Jane. He goes from calling her his “darling Jane” to a “hard little thing” (275 Bronte). From his moody character to his dark personality, Rochester is a Byronic Hero.
Jane is attracted to some of Rochester’s dark qualities. Though they had both made it apparent that neither of them was attractive, Jane grows to admire Rochester’s looks. There is something about his dark and mysterious appearance that attracts Jane. She also admires his social isolation for he speaks his mind and not what others want him to hear. Jane is a very conservative girl who likes honesty in a man. Though Rochester may not always say the nicest things to Jane, he at least is honest which contributes to his social isolation. However, it is Rochester’s isolation that also drives Jane away. Jane is madly in love with Rochester and trusts him whole-heartedly, but he is keeping a dark secret from her. This secret isn’t revealed until her wedding day. “Bigamy is an ugly word! – I meant however, to be a bigamist…” (294). Rochester fully admits to having another wife, but tries to rationalize by proving Bertha’s insanity. And though Jane saw Bertha the previous night, he attempted to keep it from her by saying it was Grace Poole. It is the deep dark secrets that Rochester keeps that drives Jane away.
Rochester can be seen as bad news to both Jane and Bertha. He can be perceived this way to Jane for he kept a pretty serious secret from her. How is Jane supposed to trust him ever again? But more importantly, Rochester is bad news for Bertha. Bertha has gone absolutely mad. She “groveled, seemingly, on all fours; it snatched and growled like some strange wild animal: but it was covered with clothing; and a quantity of dark, grizzled hair, wild as a mane, hid its head and face...the hyena rose up, and stood tall on its hind feet" (295). Who knows how long Bertha was locked up for? Bertha could have gotten help instead of being hidden from the world. Rochester is evil for locking up his first wife and for intending to marry Jane anyway.

Joshua

1/16/2013 12:03:45 pm

Rochester exhibits many of the attributes of a byronic hero and can thus be deemed, with certainty, "a figure of repulsion, as well as fascination" (A1). Although not physically isolated --"[Rochester] remained physically present in society and among people-- he was not by any means 'social'" (A1). As an intellectual, Rochester is surrounded by those who cannot please his mind. Jane's perception that Ms. Ingram was romantically, and learnedly incompetent was not only true in her eyes, but the harsh, and judgmental eyes of Rochester. Only finding an equal in Jane, he was isolated, by his own mind, prior to her arrival. Rochester then, seeing her superior intellect, was driven by his isolation to marry her, and attempt to rid his life of monsters such 'Grace', and start anew with Jane. Another quality that justifies Rochester as a Byronic Hero, is his arrogance. He shows frequently that he must always be superior to those around him, especially in his endeavors with Jane. Rochester's need to show his wealth, and play off of Jane's emotions, demonstrate his haughtiness. Rochester has been living among spirits for too long. What would a gothic/romantic novel be without some demonic spirit, and a women to save this Byronic hero from himself? He feels that he is an earthly connection: “I am substantial enough:—touch me” (Bronte 281): as Jane wandered into a fantastical realm, he attempts to bring her back and succeeds. Showing that there is some basis for his arrogance, and further proving that he is a Byronic Hero.
The most attractive Byronic quality to Jane is his arrogance, accompanied with his ability to see Jane, on an intellectual level, as an equal. Jane has struggled to gain equality in the eyes of others throughout the entirety of the book. Jane's inability to accept the ridicule of others was parallel with the unfortunate neglect of those who ridiculed her. When she matured, and saw the wrong in what she practiced, and was taught moral and virtuous ways by Helen, she then encountered Rochester, who contrary to his ways, saw her, although only intellectually, as an equal. Both Jane and Rochester have suffered, from the neglect of others and from the stupidity of society, and therefore find sanctity in each others arms. Unfortunately Rochester's Byronic qualities also offer problematic secrets that arise in chapter 26. What forces Jane and Rochester apart is the pride that Rochester seeks to keep. However, the loss of his pride, goes side by side with the exposure of Bertha Mason, his true wife. Ironically (Byronically?), Rochester's desire to wed the one equal who has entered his life, and the secrets he must keep to do so, are the only things that prevent the wedding from happening. Rochester's pride is bad news for Bertha and Jane. It is because of his pride that he dares not risk image for the cause of Bertha. He will not take care of someone who he sees unfit to be exposed to public, which happens to be bad news for Jane. His inability to lose his pride, and his expulsion of Bertha from society are what brake apart his wedding, and possibly the love of Jane.

Ocean

1/16/2013 12:08:10 pm

Rochester is undoubtedly the Byronic Hero, embracing many moody, dark, and mysterious aspects while also being overly generous, sensitive, and ingratiating. Rochester develops a reputation for eccentricity surrounding his mysterious activities, such as the employment of Grace Poole, strange events surrounding his household, and sporadic travel plans. His moody overtones are showed by his complicated and drawn out farce of engagement to Blanche Ingram and convincing Jane that he was to give her a new job in Ireland. His darkest aspects were revealed at the unveiling of his marriage to Bertha and her entrapment within his attic. He is also very eager to Pre-consumate his marriage with g=Jane and at several points grows extremely impatient with the process. But, Rochester is also very generous, hosting his elaborate parties and paying his servants generously. Rochester is ingratiatingly kind, not only to Jane but also to all of his various guests, dousing them with his court-holy-water. Rochester’s sensitivity to Jane and her emotions warm her to him and his kindness and generosity allow her to admire him in several respects.
Rochester’s vindictive and controlling side could very well have been the motivation behind his locking of Bertha within the attic seeking total control over her. Also, Rochester’s mysterious nature, while building around him an air of mystique and interest, it had also brought about strong feelings of suspicion from those around him and led to to the nosing around which brought about the revelation.
Rochester's pathological need to control has manifested itself in many harmful ways, even leading to the virtual imprisonment of his first wife and the emotional tug of war occurring with his second wife-to-be. While his controlling was certainly harmful to bertha it is less known what effect this nature would have on Jane.

Aldi Dinoshi

1/16/2013 12:22:40 pm

Rochester exhibits quite a few Byronic qualities. He has an intellectual dark side that makes him dangerous. He has shown us that he is a controlling freak, especially when he plays with Jane’s emotions to extract a certain reaction. He has a dark secret that is revealed in chapter 26, and it was one that bothered Jane as well. He had his crazy wife hidden in the attic and was prepared to take on a second wife. This made Jane’s “faith blighted” and her “faith destroyed” (298). This drove her into a highly emotional state and just prayed. What also drove Jane away is the fact that she had to give away her independence to be with Rochester. That also meant becoming his inferior and that is what she exactly abhorred.
Rochester is bad news for both Jane and Bertha because we do not know why Bertha went crazy, was it because of Rochester’s actions, or his still hidden “vices.” We also do not know his reason for keeping Bertha in the attic. This is more his darkness waiting to surface, he may even have more secrets that he has kept from Jane. The very mystery surrounding Rochester is bad news.

Allie

1/16/2013 12:31:20 pm

Rochester is truly an archetype for the brooding, mysterious Byronic hero. In his youth he pushed himself away from society by travelling the world and never settling down. He has also “exiled” himself from most of the common community by not frequenting the remote Thornfield Hall. Not to mention the scarred, dark sexual past he had with “French” Celine Varens and the “Creole” Bertha Mason adds to his tortured state of a Byronic man.
These qualities of mystery, intrigue, and adventure initially attracted Jane. Rochester’s constant riddles, sarcasm, and opinions refreshed, fit with her romantic ideals, and (as stated in the Romanticism article) “self-consciously asserted their differences…and declared their freedom from the mechanical ‘rules’.” However, in chapter 26, Jane describes Rochester as being “hardy,” “grim,” and “reckless” while desperately trying to marry her against all odds. These qualities of Rochester’s passionate nature, which normally excite Jane, scare her and make her worried for her freedom and sanity.
Jane’s first interactions with Bertha, and her impressions of Rochester’s treatment of this woman, deal a hard blow to Jane. As she states, “…you are inexorable for that unfortunate lady: you speak of her with hate—with vindictive antipathy. It is cruel—she cannot help being mad.” (Bronte, 424) Jane feels that—no matter how much she loves Rochester—Bertha doesn’t deserve this life, Rochester shouldn’t have been so cruel, and that she might e headed for the same horrific path of destruction.

Kyle Barboza

1/16/2013 01:47:27 pm

Rochester is a Byronic hero in almost every sense of the word. He is a mysterious character with a dark complex and a larger-than-life arrogance. He is a failed romantic with a questionable past and methodology wrapped in a blanket of seclusion. One of Rochesters appealing qualities is his intellect. He has many more years of life experience than Jane, and during which years he has spent traveling abroad. Her passion for such a quality is evident in her childhood fascination with books of exotic places and their environment. Rochester’s isolationism and his defiance of societal norms are also attractive to Jane. Jane notes how she becomes upset whenever Rochester is absent from Thornfield, proclaiming “I wish he would come! I wish he would come!”, showing how she enjoys his seclusion to the house (279). His disregard for societal norms are also another of Jane’s intrigues. She falls for him for his speaking of his own mind and thoughts, which he makes his remarks regardless of society’s opinion. Whenever the two debate, they both freely explore their minds by divulging whatever they feel and without holding back any hurtful message. This is evident in the battle of ugliness the two share one night. He disregards society when he dejects class by removing Blanche Ingram form his marital scope in exchange for Jane’s hand, another focal point.
Some of his more unattractive qualities include his moodiness and his mysterious past. After he asks for Jane’s hand in marriage, he quickly changes his approach to her. He begins to feel the need to shower her with lavish presents and praise her very being, to which Jane is dismayed. She is also repulsed by his dark past. At first, she in unaware of his past, yet knowing it must be something dark. When she finds out that he is previously married and his past wife is locked in a secret room of the house, Jane is distraught and mortified. She locks herself in her room and completely withholds from Rochester. Upon first sight of Bertha, Jane remarks “What it was, whether beast or human being, one could not, at first sight, tell: it grovelled, seemingly, on all fours; it snatched and growled like some strange wild animal: but it was covered with clothing, and a quantity of dark, grizzled hair, wild as a mane, hid its head and face.” (295) Rochester is bad news to both Bertha and Jane because he is clearly deranged his past wife, to which he vowed to love forever, became mentally unstable for reasons unexposed to the reader. However, in response to her poor state, he simply locked her in a room to save his image. Rather than gather her help he is embarrassed of society’s viewpoint and decides that locking her away would be in his best interest. He is bad news for Jane because she just may follow suit. She might be the next victim of whatever caused this change in Bertha.

Ms. Draper

1/16/2013 10:08:56 pm

Also...consider the colonial viewpoint here...if Bertha was an Englishwoman, would she be locked up in attic??

Byronic Hero: Bad News for the Ladies??

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