In chapter thirty-two, Jane admits to liking her job a little bit more. The students are becoming quite attached to her. There is a lady that works there named Rosamund, who Jane believes is in love with St. John. One day, Rosamund asks Jane if she will paint a portrait of her. While Jane is painting the portrait, St. John comes in. While he is observing Jane's portrait, he suddenly gets a strange look on his face, tears a small corner piece off of Jane's paper, and leaves.
- What do you think St. John saw on the paper?
One evening, while Jane is reading a book, St. John comes in. He tells her a sad tale of a young orphan who became the governess at Thornfield Hall (0.o) and then disappeared after nearly marrying Edward Rochester. Jane knows the story is about her (well, duh), and confesses to St. John that she is Jane Eyre, the girl in the story. St. John tells her that he knew, and shows her the scrap of paper. It had her signature. St. John also reveals that John Eyre had recently passed away and left his entire fortune (which he DID find) to Jane. St. John then tells Jane that they are cousins. His Uncle John (who he was named after) was Jane's uncle, too. Jane is thrilled to have found family at last, and decides to divide her inheritance equally between herself and her three cousins.
- Wow. Did you see that coming? How coincidental is it that Jane would happen to stumble to her own cousins' home that evening when she had nowhere else to go?
- Overreact much, St. John? Why do you think he reacted so poorly?
- What fateful thing could have happened?
In chapter thirty-six, Jane contemplates what she experienced the night before. Truly convinced that Mr. Rochester is in trouble, she boards a coach to Thornfield, which, to her shock, she finds is a charred ruin. She goes to the Rochester Arms to find out what happened. Someone there tells her that Bertha Mason had set the house on fire a few months previously, and that Mr. Rochester had bravely saved all of the servants from death. When he tried to save Bertha, she flung herself out of the window and died. On his way out of the house, Mr. Rochester was injured, loosing a hand and his sight. Jane also learns that Mr. Rochester is living deep in the forest with two elderly people, John and Mary (VERY common names back then).
- So, I wanted Bertha gone, but not quite like that. What are your reactions to the incident?
- Wow. Totally unexpected reunion, right? Now that Mr. Rochester is "disfigured" should Jane love him any less? Why or why not?
- Do you think that Jane and Mr. Rochester really heard each other that night?
- Are you happy that they have reunited, or should Jane have ended up with someone else?
So it's got a lot of artistic changes in it, but it is relatively the same. I do love it anyway. :)
Chapter thirty-eight...the end of the book. :'(
Jane and Mr. Rochester get married, the only witness being the clerk who performs the ceremony. Jane says that she is writing her story after being married to Mr. Rochester for ten years, and they are blissfully happy. She says that after two years of being married, Mr. Rochester began to regain some vision in one eye, and that when their son was born, Mr. Rochester could see him.
What a beautiful ending to a wonderful tale, don't you agree? This book continues to be one of my most favorites. :) I hope you all enjoyed following along with me!
Thanks for all your participation!
THE....END... :)