- "He has again and again explained that it is not himself, but his office he wishes to mate. He has told me I am formed for labour -- not for love: which is true, no doubt. But, in my opinion, if I am not formed for love, it follows that I am not formed for marriage ... If forced to be his wife, I can imagine the possibility of conceiving an inevitable, strange, torturing kind of love for him." (p. 423)
For Jane Eyre, marriage is a confusing, controversial concept as she is faced with two men who have very dissimilar ideas of what marriage is. After turning away Mr. Rochester's proposal, Jane undergoes an unexpected request from Mr. St. John. However, instead of being naive to the situation, Jane recognizes the significant difference between love and marriage. In this excerpt, Charlotte Bronte creates an instance where Jane questions Mr. St. John's genuine love. She realizes that love would certainly not accompany this marriage, as Mr. St. John is merely using her "as a useful tool." Here, Jane is able to compare her current situation with her past connection with Mr. Rochester - a bond where authentic and passionate love was evident.
Photo Credit:
Marriage4. Photograph.
Same Day Marriage. Web. 29 Nov. 2009. http://www.samedaymarriage.com/marriage/images/marriage4.jpg.
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