Jane - Chapters 14-19:
Picking up where we left off in the previous entry, Jane Moore has now returned home from a short visit with her siblings. Nothing monumental occurs, except, perhaps a feeling of closure. Jane has reached a sense now of growth beyond her painful childhood and memories. In turn, she has become a more self-confident woman, independent of the demons of her past.
As previously mentioned, Jane returns to Thornfield and first sees Mr. Rathburn who has informed her the guests have all left. This is not where their encounter of the day concludes. A bit later, Jane decides to take a walk, and as she is about to go back inside the house, Nico Rathburn meets her and asks her to continue her walk, only with him along as well.
Just as in the classic, "Jane Eyre" Jane has a similar experience to that of her counterpart. Rathburn tells Jane he has found new work for her in Ireland and that she will be very happy there. She inquires of him whether he is going to be married to Bianca Ingram. He responds affirming his intent to marry Bianca, and Jane weeps. Later in these chapters we find that Nico only told Jane he was intending to marry Bianca to gauge Jane's response and to make her jealous. I am shocked and horrified! Seriously? This was one of the most hurtful and inappropriate things to do to this young woman. Why lie to her? Is this some mind game you are playing, Mr. Rathburn?
At this "admission" from Mr. Rathburn, Jane informs him that if he is going to marry Biance, she (Jane) must leave. She tells him it would be too much for her to bear, as she is in love with him. At this, Nico expresses his true emotions and confesses to Jane that he loves her, too. At this point, Jane is completely confounded. Who could blame her? She, initially, does not believe him. After much discussion and convincing, Jane is finally brought to an assurance of his love and feels overwhelmed, but also overjoyed. Nico then kisses Jane, and then - well, do you remember how I predicted that instead of the next step being Rathburn's proposal of marriage to Jane (as Rochester proposed to Jane Eyre), that, in this modern version of the story, the situation would likely end up being something a bit tawdry, like "let's go to my room"? I was correct. That's exactly what occurred. I feel rather upset that she did not resist the temptation. This illustrates exactly what I am talking about with regard to the moral decay of society. In the time period Jane Eyre was written in, young men and young women were often not allowed to stay together alone for any lengthy period of time, if they were not married. Some had chaperones everywhere they went!
After their night together, Jane finally began to see herself as someone who was beautiful, and I believe this is a further breakthrough in her self-esteem. I find it terribly sad that Jane could not find her self-worth from her own character and virtues beyond the physical to feel her own worth. When one bases their worth on the attraction of interests of another, that is dangerous. When things go awry with that person, one will find her self-esteem dwindles again.
Nico then takes Jane into the city to go shopping and buy her more clothing. In fact, he wishes to buy her an entirely new wardrobe. Jane is perplexed and even a bit agitated, because she feels as though he does not love her just the way she is, but is trying to transform her into someone more befitting his world. Thankfully, she picks something simple and pretty for his concert, but she objects to changing her entire style of clothing. When they are back in his car, he suddenly asks her to marry him. It was not well planned, and rather spontaneous, but Jane accepts! (I would want something far more romantic!)
Upon their return to Thornfield, Jane Moore has the same encounter with Lucia that Jane Eyre had with Mrs. Fairfax. However, it does not seem to bother Jane Moore as much as it did Jane Eyre. In further contrast, one thing Jane Moore does have to deal with, which Jane Eyre did not, is the media fairly persistently infiltrating her life, as pertains to her relationship with Nico Rathburn. This does seem to upset her for a bit, but she is able to shake it off and manage it well over time. Jane Moore appears to have, over the course of her time at Thornfield, become a much more strong and independent woman, with a secure and immovable spirit. I am happy to see that!
Due to media articles and photos, Jane's sister, Jenna, calls her and tells her that she saw her recently in a magazine, pictured with Nico. She lies about inviting Jane to her wedding and explains how the invitation likely got lost in the mail. She then asks Jane to please come and bring Nico Rathburn as her guest. The audacity! To make matters worse, just as in "Jane Eyre," Jane Moore is visited by the crazy woman who rips her veil apart and leaves her room. Jane asks Nico if there is anything he is keeping from her, and he does not tell her the truth about the secret woman. He lies to her about Bibi. Mr. Rochester kept his deep, dark secret from Jane Eyre, by omitting the facts. Mr. Rathburn is lying to Jane, by direct commission. Jane, because she loves Nico dearly, naturally trusts him and fears hurting him or upsetting him; thus, she does not bring it up any further. I feel so sorry for Jane Moore right now. This situation is going to get worse, before it gets better.
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