Does he have any redeeming qualities at all ? Why does Jane love him ?
He basically tried to trick a young,inexperienced girl into a sham marriage and he talked to Adele (and everyone else really) like she was dirt. He also went out his way to try to make Jane jealous (how insecure can this guy be?).
He's a scumbag . What does Jane see in him ?
If you haven't read the book then I highly recommend it, it's wonderful and in my opinion one of the greatest novels ever written. If you've only seen this film version then I can definitely understand where you're coming from. As much as I love this film, the limited running time means that a lot has to be left out, and unfortunately the developing relationship between Jane and Rochester is one of those things that gets cut back.
In the book Rochester treats Jane like an equal, he's intelligent and witty and recognises those qualities in Jane too and admires her for it, and he takes an interest in her opinions. They both instinctively feel that they can trust the other, he confides in her and I think she appreciates the fact that even though he's deeply flawed, he's aware of those flaws and is at least honest about them. Also, I think his mercurial nature definitely keeps her intrigued... she's never met anyone like him before - he's challenging, every conversation they have is like a intellectual game of chess and I think that for two such highly intelligent people, that's really fulfilling. They've both been on the receiving end of rejection and a lack of love, so the fact that they've each found someone who accepts them as they are and loves them despite the things that other people wouldn't be able to get past, is everything to them.
His treatment of Adele can't really be excused, so I won't try to excuse it. The whole thing about making Jane jealous wasn't about trying to hurt her or control her, just to get a better idea of how she felt. He's trying to draw her out because he wants to know for sure if she feels as strongly for him as he does for her. It's a crappy method but then he's very far from perfect and as you say, insecure.
Agreed that it's one of the best novels ever written. To me he seems typical of the male persona at that time.
"The end of the shoelace is called the...IT DOESN'T MATTER!"
Great post, lucy.
My own ideas about Adele are that Rochester does as much for her as can reasonably be expected. I'm certain that Brontë doesn't intend for us to think that the child is his, so his stepping in to take care of her should be regarded as an act of charity. Yes, he's distant and even harsh, but that stems from his personal grief. And when he looks at Adele, he sees the mother that she so resembles.
(Not excusing Rochester, of course; just trying to understand him! )
If there aren't any skeletons in a man's closet, there's probably a Bertha in his attic.
Well, if you think he comes across bad on the screen, you should read the novel. He is truly a scumbag in the book. I hadn't read the book until someone on line suggest..."read the book" and it'll look different. I did...it didn't. Bronte truly presented a despicable person in Rochester...from beginning to the end.
I had nine versions of Jane Eyre and watched them all intermittently...until I read the book. The only one I even touch anymore is this version because I like Mia so much as Jane...so well done, so realistic per the book. But the upshot is that now, after having read the book, a large part of my pleasure in watching the movies is gone.
I highly disagree! I loved the book, and love the 2006 version even better than the book! It's longer, so you get much more character development and the chemistry of the cast (especially Jane and Rochester) is undeniable....so much humor and wit! I have always loved Rochester...the perfect man!
shareI highly disagree! I loved the book
I was really looking forward to this adaptation b/c I like Michael Fassbender as an actor, and this is my one of my favorite books. But the choice to have Rochester be so serious was really disappointing. In the book he was very playful with Jane and would razz her a bit, and she would dish it back. They had a great rapport and were clearly so comfortable with each other. Even in the last pages they were joking with each other. It certainly would seem like he's just a jerk in the book when you leave out his better interactions with her. He just seemed desperate here.
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