Stormy Rochester, Stormy Weather

      Nature can embody a variety of values or moods within a novel. Specifically, it can act as a setting of birth and renewal, or, conversely, it can be a place of raw natural instinct. In Charlotte Bronte's renowned novel, Jane Eyre, nature provides a crucial backdrop that enhances Rochester's emotional tendencies and stages within his life.

      Thornfield Hall instantly causes red flags to pop up in the reader's mind the moment it is described. It is imposing, dark, and spooky. As the story unfolds, we discover that the brooding master is keeping many secrets behind heavy, locked doors, including an insane, exotic wife. The isolated nature of Thornfield is perfect for the unfolding of all of these events. By being far apart from any interactions, except those that are prompted, such as the rare dinner parties held by Rochester, the mansion acts as a center in the novel. All interactions within the Thornfield phase of the novel are traced back to the house and surrounding countryside. This countryside emulates a reflecting screen for the mood of the circumstances presented in the novel. When Rochester declares his love for Jane, it is a sunny day beside the flowing stream, with wildflowers and butterflies abundant. On the other hand, thunder crashes and rain comes down in torrents when Rochester's crazy wife tries to burn him alive. The sheer power demonstrated by the weather in the countryside can be seen also in Rochester when he veers towards the more extreme end of his emotional spectrum.  The country setting reacts in tandem with Rochester's emotions to provide a unique effect on the reader.

       At the conclusion of the novel, we find a destroyed Rochester regaining his sense of vitality in a, yet again, isolated setting. This time he is in a small cabin in the forest. This more humble set of circumstances reflects his fall from grace, more literally his fall from his burning ancestral home, and his recovery in the forest his symbolic of a rebirth. Rather than recovering in luxury, he retreats with his most trusted servant. Possibly more important, his loss of sight allows him to focus on reorganizing himself mentally. This loss of an important sense is seen in the densely wooded, very isolated setting he is in. With the return of Jane, his rebirth, exemplified in the nature-oriented woodland setting, is complete. He is then free to move on with his new life. It is important to note that as he grows in to his new, better habits, he even gains back some of his vision, resulting in the precious moment when he sees the color of his son's eyes.

       The isolated settings in Jane Eyre reflect a variety of character traits in Rochester, including his temper and brooding moods. The weather, as part of the setting, enhances these effects. The slightly different forms of Rochester that can be witnessed in the novel can thus be witnessed in the surrounding countryside.