Jane Eyre Suffering Analysis

In both novels, the main protagonists experience suffering as they are aware of the duties which stop them from pursuing their love. In Jane Eyre, Jane is heartbroken after learning that Mr Rochester is already married. She struggles with her decision as to what is more important, her duty to uphold her Christian values or her love for Mr Rochester. She chooses her Christian values as she tells Rochester that she “will keep the law given by god” (c.27). This is reflective of Christian values on marriage during the 19th centuries, where it was almost impossible to get a divorce as it was seen as a union made by God and therefore unbreakable. It also communicates a lot about Jane’s character as she holds her morals and faith above the merits …show more content…
Catherine tries to hold on to both her childhood with Heathcliff and her future as Edgar’s wife which leads to her causing pain to all three characters. Samantha Przybylowicz argues that ‘Catherine’s most destructive nature is the hold she has over men.’ (Przybylowicz, 2013) suggesting that Catherine is manipulative and only capable of causing chaos to those who love her. It is Catherine’s inability to choose between her duty to maintain her social rank and her love for Heathcliff, which causes the destruction of relations between her childhood home, Wuthering Heights and her new home at Thrushcross Grange. Heathcliff faces the most pain from Catherine’s indecision, which follows him even after her death, wishing that she would “haunt (him).” After learning of her death, he cries out “be with me always- take any form- drive me mad!” (p.190). The fact that he is willing to let Catherine “haunt” him highlights the desperate need he has to be with her, so much so that he is willing to have her “in any form”. This focus on the supernatural is an element of gothic literature, a popular form of writing during the 19th century and formed part of Emily Bronte’s own reading. Gothic literature included several literary devises like motifs which usually took form in the exploration of madness and the supernatural, dark scenic imagery and characters, as well as harrowing plots which were all designed to manipulate the readers’ fears- particularly the fear of the unknown. Przybylowicz argues that “after Catherine’s death we see a desperate man.’ Heathcliff demonstrates desperation and the gothic element of fear of Catherine going to a place that he cannot yet follow. He does not want her to “leave (him) in this abyss, where I cannot find you!” (p.190) the fact that Heathcliff uses the noun “abyss” to describe the world