How does Bronte present the theme of power and identity in

Chapter 24 ? Write an analysis of the chapter using the

vocabulary provided.

In Chapter 24 Jane and Rochester are going to get married. In the

beginning, Jane is buoyant and exuberantly happy, then Rochester treats
her as the likes of a “Doll” Jane feels that she doesn’t want to get treated in
this manner and requests him not to. The chapter concludes with Jane and
Rochester’s marriage. The theme of power and identity is mainly expressed
in this chapter when Rochester flatters Jane and treats her not as his
equal.

To begin with, Jane feels as though she is being “Bought” by Rochester.

Rochester flatters Jane with many gifts, this makes Jane feel as if she is
being treated as an inferior who is stripped of her rights. She wants to be
seen as Rochester’s “equal” and doesn’t want to feel a sense of the gifts
being due back to Rochester. This is one of the many points in the story
where we can truly grasp Jane’s integrity and her sticking to her strong
moral principles. She is treating the flattering almost as an act of infliction.
In many respects, we can not blame Rochester as he has become
accustomed to showing his love in this materialistic way to his fiance Celine
Varens. It is evident that Rochester’s approach to love is wrong for Jane
but right for a woman seeking a man’s wealth. When Rochester gifts Jane
multiple times it is almost as though he is turning Jane into a woman like
Celine Varens.

Themes of power are portrayed by the portrayal of a male dominant

patriarchal society, in our case how Rochester. In the time and the context
of the book’s time, women were seen as objects possessed by men and
were expected to be obedient. Rochester degrades Jane and Jane fights
back. This would be a completely alien act for a female to do and a
victorian audience would marvel at how she responds. Power in the book
and the era seems to be in the hands of privileged men. Jane feels as
though the marriage will mean that she can’t choose the path of her future.
Also, Jane wants to maintain her independence and virtues while
Rochester wants to transform her into his “Angel” Another example of male
power is the occurrence when Rochester's surname is imposed on Jane
(“Jane Rochester”). Jane clings onto her identity and thinks it “seems
strange.”

Another instance when the theme of power is portrayed is Mrs. Fairfax's

response to the news of the engagement. Mrs. Fairfax warns Jane that she
shouldn’t marry Rochester due to their varying ages and social classes.
Analyzing this we understand that the upper class only marry upper class
and vice versa for the lower classes.

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