I loved reading this book, I thought it gave me a much better understanding of Jane Eyre. Even when it did not clear up confusion necessarily it still added layers to the story line which excited me and motivated me to read Sargasso Sea in order to draw upon more comparisons.  I loved reading the book for these connections, so I definitely enjoyed the comparative essays.

I thought it was really interesting comparing Antoinette(Bertha) with Jane because I already compared Jane with Bertha before this book, especially during the wedding vial passage. It seems that the women who involved with Rochester are doomed. Though when just reading Jane Eyre it doesn’t seem this way and the two women don’t seem to share similar situations, but upon further analysis they do. It seems that Jane and Rochester are lovers that are meant to be together, and even if he does feel comfortable to be with her because of her race, he does not marry her in the beginning because of status. With both women he does not choose them off of emotional connection or their person, but instead what value they will bring to his life. He is a woman oppressor.

Realizing this about him I was initially joyed by the irony of him having to be supported by women, finally dependent. But then I realized he was dependent all along! He is like the authoritarian incapable manager using his employees for capital and exploiting them even thought they are more capable then he is. Even as a blind cripple he is able to strip away the independence- and financial means to be independent again – from Jane that she struggled throughout the entire novel to acquire.