“I have not yet said anything condemnatory of Mr. Rochester’s project of marrying for interest and connections. It surprised me when I first discovered that such was his intention; I had thought him a man unlikely to be influenced by motives so commonplace in his choice of a wife; but the longer I considered the position, education, . . . of the parties, the less I felt justified in judging and blaming either him or Miss Ingram, for acting in conformity to ideas and principles instilled into them, doubtless, from their childhood. All their class held these principles; I supposed, then, they had reasons for holding them such as I could not fathom.”
-Jane Eyre, Chapter 18
Here, Jane Eyre comments for the first time on the idea of a marriage between Mr. Rochester and Blanche Ingram. It is very apparent that she has feelings for Rochester. She mentions that she thought that he would be a man not influenced by pressures caused by social status. Coming from a “rebel” like Jane, this is quite the compliment and shows how highly she thinks of Rochester. She also says that she cannot blame Rochester and Ingram if they join in a loveless marriage because that is the values they were taught since they were children. Jane also says that she cannot understand these reasons, which is another example in the book of her being an “outsider” to the wealthy Victorian social class. Also, it is interesting to wonder the tone of voice Jane was going for in the last part of the passage when she says “I supposed then, they had reasons for holding them such as I could not fathom”. Was there some sort of sarcasm present, or was Jane actually being as understanding as she could?
Question: Is Jane actually being sympathetic and understanding to the mentalities of Rochester and Ingram? Or are there more passive aggressive undertones, especially towards the end of the quotation?
