Group work questions for Jane Eyre, chapters 25-26

In groups of three or so, discuss the following two questions, searching for specific evidence from the text to illuminate each question as you discuss. Note the evidence you find in your notebook under the heading Jane Eyre, ch. 25-26.

1.    Mrs. Fairfax hurt Jane’s feelings in chapter 24 by asking “Is it really for love he is going to marry you?” Whatever genuine love Mr. Rochester might have for Jane, what possible motivations might he have, besides simply loving Jane entirely for herself, for choosing Jane as his wife? (In particular, consider motivations that the revelations of chapter 26 might reveal.)

2.    Consider the definition of “the double” you’ve been given. Are there any ways in which Jane Eyre where Bertha Mason seems to be a double of Jane? Consider moments and scenes that we now know relate to Bertha, and think about habits or incidents where Jane’s feelings or actions seem momentarily mirrored in Bertha’s. How might these moments be important?

3.    Yesterday we talked about whether we thought the Rochester/Jane engagement was a good thing. Does the book seem to think Rochester is good for Jane? Try to find three bits of specific evidence from the book that support a “yes” answer, three that support a “no” answer, and at least one that seems ambiguous.