The author

Charlotte Brontë( April 21, 1816 – March 31,1855) was a British novelist, poet.

Charlotte Bronte is best known for her novel "Jane Eyre," which was published in 1847.

Charlotte Bronte's works are known for their strong female characters, gothic themes, and social
commentary on the issues of class and gender in Victorian England.

Setting
Chapter 26 of Jane Eyre takes place at Thornfield Hall, where Jane's wedding to Mr. Rochester is held.
However, the ceremony is interrupted by two strangers who reveal that Mr. Rochester is already
married to Bertha Mason. Jane is devastated and leaves Thornfield Hall in the middle of the night.

The plot

On her wedding day, Jane discovers that Mr. Rochester is already married to Bertha Mason. Devastated,
she leaves Thornfield Hall and finds refuge with her cousins at Moor House. Jane accepts a job as a
governess at Lowood School, starting a new phase in her life.

MAIN CHARACTERS
Jane Eyre
The protagonist of the novel, Jane is a young woman who is determined to find her place in the world.
She is intelligent, independent, and strong-willed.

Mr. Rochester
The owner of Thornfield Hall and Jane's employer. He has feelings for Jane but is hiding a dark secret
that could destroy their relationship.

Grace Poole
A servant at Thornfield Hall who is responsible for watching over Bertha Mason, Mr. Rochester's wife
Bertha Mason
Mr. Rochester's wife who is kept hidden in the attic due to her madness.

ANALYSIS OF "JANE EYRE" CHAPTER 26

EXPOSITION:
The chapter begins with Jane Eyre preparing for
her wedding day, and Edward Rochester getting
ready to enter the chapel at Thornfield Hall. The
setting is described, with preparations being
made for the wedding ceremony, and Jane's
thoughts and emotions are highlighted as she
anticipates the important event.
RISING ACTION:
The main focus of this chapter is on the
wedding day. Jane experiences a mix of
excitement and anxiety leading up to the
momentous occasion. She grapples with doubts
and uncertainties about her decision, but
ultimately puts her trust in her love for
Rochester and the potential for happiness with
him.

CLIMAX:

The climax is reached when Jane discovers that Mr. Rochester is already married to Bertha Mason, who
is kept hidden in the attic of Thornfield Hall. This revelation shatters Jane's hopes and forces her to make
the difficult decision to leave Thornfield, refusing to compromise her integrity by becoming Rochester's
mistress.

RESOLUTION:
Jane leaves Thornfield and is taken in by St. John Rivers. She inherits a fortune but remains unfulfilled.
Upon hearing Rochester's call, she returns to him, finding him blind and his wife deceased. They
reconcile, marking a resolution to their love story and a new beginning for their lives together.

THEMES OF "JANE EYRE" CHAPTER 26

Love, Family, and Independence - Chapter 26 ( In the Wedding )
Throughout the narrative, Jane Eyre strives to maintain her independence while navigating the balance
between service and self-mastery. She remains devoted to love, decency, and self-respect. In the end,
Jane becomes both a guide and a servant to Rochester, forming her own chosen family based on mutual
respect and free thinking. In a pivotal moment, Jane experiences overwhelming sorrow as all her hopes
seem shattered, succumbing to the weight of the troubles and betrayals she has endured.
Social Class and Social Rules - Chapter 26 ( Afterthe Wedding )
Jane confronts class prejudices and emphasizes the importance of personal virtues over social standing.
In Chapter 26, she recognizes the impact of societal perceptions on her self-image and chooses not to
sacrifice her independence for love.

Gender Roles - Chapter 26 ( In the Wedding )

Jane battles against societal expectations and encounters men who view women as inferior. In Chapter
26, after the wedding, she faces objections and questions from Mr. Rochester but ultimately defends her
identity and pursuit of equality in her relationships.

FIGURES OF SPEECH
Symbolism
Bronte uses a variety of symbols throughout the novel to convey deeper meanings. For example, the red
room at Gateshead symbolizes Jane's entrapment and isolation, while the character of Bertha Mason
represents the consequences of repressed desires and madness.

Imagery
Bronte also creates vivid imagery through her use of descriptive language, which helps to bring the
settings and characters to life. For example, the moors surrounding Thornfield Hall are described in rich
detail, creating a sense of wildness and mystery.

Foreshadowing
Bronte uses foreshadowing to hint at future events in the story, creating a sense of tension and
anticipation. For example, Jane's dreams of a child crying out for help foreshadow the revelation of
Rochester's secret marriage and the existence of his mad wife.

Irony
Bronte employs irony to create humor and to highlight the contrast between appearance and reality.
For example, Mrs. Reed claims to be a Christian woman, but her cruel treatment of Jane suggests
otherwise.

CONCLUSION
The novel follows the story of Jane, a seemingly plain and simple girl as she battles through life's
struggles. Jane has many obstacles in her life - her cruel and abusive Aunt Reed, the grim conditions at
Lowood school, her love for Rochester and Rochester's marriage to Bertha.
CHAPTER 26 SUMMARY

During the wedding ceremony, a stranger objects, revealing that Mr. Rochester is already married to a
Creole woman from Jamaica. Rochester confesses that his wife is alive but mentally ill, hidden away and
cared for by Grace Poole. This revelation exposes Rochester's intention to marry Jane while still being
married, a secret he had kept from the community.

JANE EYRE MORALITY & ETHICS

BE A ‘BRAVE’ PERSON BEFORE BEING A ‘GOOD’ PERSON NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, STICK TO YOUR
PRINCIPLES BEING EDUCATED IS BEING SELF-RELIABLE MARRY ONLY FOR LOVE, NOTHING ELSE: ALWAYS
HOPE FOR THE BEST