This study will analyze Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, focusing on the nature, degree and significance of Rochester's dependence on Jane. The study will argue that this dependence evolves gradually, becomes intensely powerful and obsessive, and finally serves as an important factor in the moral and/or spiritual evolution of both Jane and Rochester. In addition, there is a strongly feminist edge to the morality of the book, and this feminism is in large part expressed in the complete transformation of the relationship between Rochester and Jane Eyre.
There is no doubt whatsoever that Rochester does indeed become almost entirely dependent on Jane by the end of the book. He has been blinded in the effort to save his wife in the fire, and Jane's return to him gives both of them the opportunity to completely reverse the roles they fell into at the beginning of their relationship.
With respect to the end of the book and Rochester's undeniable dependence, Bronte writes:
Mr. Rochester continued blind the first two years of our union: perhaps it was that circumstance that drew us so very near---that knit us so very close: for I was then his vision, as I am still his right hand. Literally, I was (what he often called me) the apple of his eye. He saw nature---he saw books through me, and never did I weary of gazing for his behalf (Bronte 442).
Although Rochester's sight comes back somewhat, it is clear that Bronte means to have him remain largely dependent on Jane, and not merely in a physical sense. Rochester is also emotionally and psychologically dependent on Jane: "He loved me so truly that he knew no reluctance in profiting by my attendance; he felt I loved him so fondly, that to yield that attendance was to indulge my sweetest wishes" (442).
Returning to the moment of their first meeting, it is clear that Bronte is giving us two messages---one on the surface and one under that surface. On the surface, it is a meeting of...