Chapter 24

People:

• Jane:Fiance of Mr Rochester, Governess to Adele
• Mr Rochester:Fiance to Jane 
• Adele: Jane’s student, French girl
• Mrs Fairfax: housekeeper

Why do you think Mrs Fairfax warns Jane about her future marriage?

-I believe Mrs. Fairfax is aware of secrets Mr Rochester is hiding from Jane.  She does not want to break the news to Jane or she probably is sworn to not tell Jane.  I think it is a hint of caution.

Places:

• Breakfast at Thornfield
• Jane feels awkward around Mrs. Fairfax because Rochester still has not told her about their relationship.
• Professor interpretation: Failed attempt to share a meal! Foreshadowing?
• School room
• Jane finds that Adele is not there and that Rochester is in the school room instead.
• Rochester tells Jane that they will be married in four weeks and calls her "Jane Rochester" and "Mrs. Rochester".
• Jane asks Rochester to tell Mrs. Fairfax about their relationship.
• Millcote
• Rochester attempts to change Jane's wardrobe but Jane remains persistent and chooses more plain clothes.
• Rochester tells Jane about Celine Varens, a previous mistress.
• The couple set terms for their relationship.

Summary:
 Jane has just been proposed to by Rochester and the displays of affection begins, though under Mrs.Fairfax's skeptical and watchful eye (she is ignorant of the fact they have intentions to be wed). Rochester calls Jane Mrs. Rochester and she is startled by the epithet. It makes everything else seem that much more in reality, but also gives mixed feelings about the marriage especially hen he begins to spoil her.He orders extravagant jewelery to be brought up for Jane's use in addition to ordering many dresses for the wedding against her apprehension for any of those items. In order to settle some more wedding plans, they must drive out to millcote, Jane brings Adele to Rochester's dissatisfaction. On the trip they establish rules for how to behave before the actual marriage, and though Rochester was against it, he agreed to do whatever would please Jane.

It's all political! Jane did not secede to the pressures of being a woman. She refused everything that Rochester tried to offer her, and set boundaries in their relationship that would make everyone comfortable. Bronte does so to depict woman's role in society and what they could do to change it. If the man truly loved her, and she was his equal they would live a life together without needing simple objects to show their love.




Personal Reaction:

1. Respond to Mrs. Fairfax not being very approving of Jane and Rochester's marriage.

• I know that there are still hidden secrets behind Mr. Rochester that we have yet to be seen. Mrs. Fairfax for the most part seems to know everything about Edward but chooses not to tell Jane. I feel that she is disapproving because there is something she knows about Mr. Rochester that just would not make the marriage work out and only trouble will come out of it. Rochester seems like he is just "toying" with Jane and her feelings.(Ryan)
• I think Mrs. Fairfax is simply being cautious about the whole thing considering she has been around Rochester much longer than Jane has. She probably has already established suspicions of his character and since Jane is still young and naive, she wants her to be careful.  (Gloria)
• Mrs Fairfax knows there is something wrong with them being married.  I think it is due to something on the part of Mr. Rochester. (Nicole)

     2.What do you think are some of the reasons for why Jane and Mr. Rochester might not work out?

• One of the major reasons to me is their social statuses. It already shows in these chapters that Jane does not admire the finer things in life. When Mr. Rochester tries to shower her with all these jewelry and fine dresses, she is annoyed more than anything, she is just a simple person and Rochester is too lavish. Also, I think the big age difference will also cause a problem between the two; even Mrs. Fairfax agrees that this age difference will be an obstacle to overcome in their relationship. (Ryan)
• I think they may not work out because Rochester seems like he has too many hidden secrets that he is still unwilling to share with Jane. Also, I think Jane still needs more time to discover who she is as an individual before she commits herself to being part of a whole.  (Gloria)
• I think Mr Rochester is hiding a secret from Jane.  I think he has a past that is haunting him.  He might not have good motives for marrying her. (Nicole)

Vocabulary:

1. "A jay in borrowed plumes"
• Plumes: a feather of a bird
2. "An ape in an harlequin's jacket"
• Harlequin: a character in comedy
3. "Desire of my heart-delicate and aerial"
• Aerial: high in the air
4. "You shall sojourn at Paris"
• Sojourn: a temporary stay
5. "Your sylph's foot shall step also"
• Sylph: A slender graceful woman or girl
6. "You will be capricious"
• Capricious: A sudden impulse; unmotivated
7. "I like the sense of pliancy"
• Pliancy: easily influenced
8. "And perhaps imbecility"
• Imbecility: usual offensive; fool or idiot
9. "Much piqued on one point"
• Piqued: a transient feeling of wounded vainity
10. "I am a Jew usurer"
• Usurer: one that lends money

Chapter 24

• People: Nicole
• Places: Monica
• Summary: Rebecca
• Personal Reaction: Ryan
• Vocabulary: Gloria