Conflicting Desires in Jane Eyre

1. Conflicting Desires in Jane Eyre Zac Cooke Matthew Perez Hunter Davis Amber Kadas Hannah Gano

2. Our Prompt • The eighteenth-century British novelist Laurence Sterne wrote, “Nobody, but he who has felt it, can conceive what plaguing thing it is to have a man’s mind torn asunder by two projects of equal strength, both obstinately pulling in a contrary direction at the same time.”From a novel or play choose a character (not necessarily the protagonist) whose mind is pulled in conflicting directions by two compelling desires, ambitions, obligations, or influences. Then, in a well-organized essay, identify each of the two conflicting forces and explain how this conflict with one character illuminates the meaning of the work as a whole. You may use one of the novels or plays listed below or another novel or work of similar literary quality.

3. Literal Meaning • Literally: Sometimes characters can be conflicted between two things in their lives. Choose a character who has two conflicting forces, identify both of them, and then show how the conflict enhances the novel.

4. Thesis Statement • In the novel Jane Eyre, a dire conflict, the choice between which freedom she wants, constantly pulls at the main character Jane, who must chose between Rochester and St. John, each of which offers her a different kind of freedom in her life, but with each freedom comes a price that she must weigh against the other, Rochester’s offering to have her as a mistress is without dignity and integrity, and St. John’s proposal for her to be his wife is without emotional freedom.

5. 5 Questions • What are the positives of living with Rochester? • What are the negatives of living with Rochester? • What are the positives of living with St. John? • What are the negatives of living with St. John? • Which do you think she should choose?

6. Textual Example A • - “Yes, so sir,” I rejoined: “and yet not so: for you are a married man–or as good as a married man, and wed to one inferior to you–to one whom you have no sympathy–whom I do not believe you truly love; for I have seen and heard you sneer at her. I would scorn such a union: therefore I am better than you–let me go!” • In this quote, Jane reminds Rochester that he is already married, and to someone that he does not love, so her being with him would be a sin in the eyes of the community, and to god, leaving her without her dignity. “He liked it not, yet he hath already put a ring on it..”

7. Textual Example B • “But as his wife – at his side always, and always restrained, and always checked – forced to keep the fire of my nature continually low, to compel it to burn inwardly and never utter a cry, though the imprisoned flame consumed vital after vital – this would be unendurable” • In this quote, Jane contemplates the consequences of being St. John’s wife, being restrained and held back, which she feels would be an unbearable way to live, and the opposite of what she wants in life. “Retreat to thy cookery, wench! Am I required to smack a strumpet?”

8. Significant Moments • In Gateshead, when Jane has an outburst to her Aunt before she leaves for Lowood School, she feels freedom for the first time. “I tire of thy crap, auntie! Thou treatest me like the pits.”

9. Significant Moments • In Thornfeld, when Jane and Rochester first try to get married, but it is revealed that Rochester is already wed to another woman. “Verily, thou art tripping, Sir Rochester! Thy is already wed, yo!”

10. Significant Moments “Thy family is loaded, yo. Did thou not knoweth?” • In Moorshead, when she finds out she is related to the Rivers family, and finally receives her inheritance of money. “Art thou for reals? This is most awesome!” “Truthfully. May ye enjoy thy fat stacks of bling.”

11. Conclusion • In the end, the conflict between her suitors is what drives the novel, knowing that in the end, she can only chose one. To find out which one she chooses, though, you’ll have to read the book! “Mine own grandmother is more lively than this novel, and she be several decades dead!”