36-38 Flashcards
(6 cards)
Chapter 36: Thornfield in Ruins
Summary:
Jane travels back to Thornfield, only to find it burned to the ground. She learns from an innkeeper that Bertha Mason set the fire and died in it. In trying to save her, Rochester was injured—losing his sight and a hand. He now lives in seclusion at a house called Ferndean.
36
Analysis:
The destruction of Thornfield is symbolic: the house of secrets is gone, and the truth is laid bare. Rochester’s physical injuries represent a humbling fall—from a dominant, secretive figure to a vulnerable, equal partner. The stage is set for reconciliation built on honesty.
Chapter 37: Reunion at Ferndean
Summary:
Jane arrives at Ferndean and finds Rochester broken in body and spirit. She cares for him, and gradually reveals who she is. When she tells him she has returned for good and wants to stay with him, he is overwhelmed. They reconcile emotionally and romantically.
37
Analysis:
This is the emotional and thematic climax of the novel. Jane and Rochester are finally equals—both scarred, both humbled, both free to love each other without deception or power imbalance. It is a relationship founded on mutual respect, integrity, and deep connection.
Chapter 38: “Reader, I Married Him”
Summary:
Jane and Rochester marry quietly. Over time, he regains partial sight and sees the face of their first child. Jane writes from a place of happiness, having found love, independence, and family. She also reconnects with Diana and Mary, and learns that St. John continues his missionary work abroad.
38
Analysis:
The famous opening line of this chapter—“Reader, I married him.”—emphasizes Jane’s agency and voice. This is her story, told on her terms. She does not become absorbed into Rochester’s identity; instead, their union honors her autonomy. The ending fulfills the novel’s deepest themes: the triumph of love without sacrifice of self, and the quiet dignity of moral and emotional wholeness.
