Chapter 36

Jane prepares to return to Thornfield, and St. John leaves a note requesting her to introspect and not be tempted. However, Jane believes that her actions are justifiable and is pulled by the wave of feelings which had overcome her when she heard Rochester’s call. On the journey to Thornfield, she evaluates her last year and realizes that she is now wealthy and with family.

When she arrives, she is shocked to see that Thornfield mansion has been razed to the ground by a fire. Jane learns more from a local neighborhood innkeeper: He tells her that Bertha had escaped one night and set fire to Jane’s old bedroom, and the whole house had been destroyed as a result. Rochester was successful in rescuing all the servants, but Bertha had laughed maniacally at the top of the burning house and then jumped to her own death. She finds out that Rochester was severely injured in the fire and has lost his sight and an arm. He now lives in a modest house named Ferndean, which is situated close to Thornfield.

Chapter 37

When Jane reaches Ferndean, she notices a physically strong but emotionally drained Rochester refusing his servant’s help. Jane knocks on the door and convinces the servants to let her serve him the glass of water he had asked a servant to bring. When Jane appears in front of Rochester, he mistakes her for a ghost. When he realizes that it is actually Jane, he takes her into an embrace and is overcome with emotions.

Jane tells Rochester about her new life and the wealth she has inherited. She tells him about St. John and his proposal for marriage. Rochester tells her about his shortcomings now and advises her that she should leave him. She, however, promises that she would never leave him. Rochester asks Jane to marry him and she accepts with delight.

Rochester tells her that he now has a wonderful relationship with God and is repenting his arrogance and pride. He tells her that one evening while praying for happiness he had called out her name and had thought he had heard her response to his call. As they marvel at their connection, she vows to serve as his “prop and guide.”

Chapter 38

In this chapter, Jane addresses the reader directly when she announces that she married Rochester in a small, quiet wedding at Ferndean. She adds that they are leading a harmonious life. She is happy being a guide to her blind and handicapped husband; she especially takes pleasure in describing the landscape and reading out loud to him. The Rivers sisters are also very happy for Jane.

Jane visits Adele in her school, a place Jane hates because of its rigid system. Jane shifts Adele to a more liberal school where she grows into a young, polite woman.

Two years after their marriage, Rochester partially regains his vision. He notices that his son with Jane has brilliant black eyes similar to his.

Ten years later, Jane informs the readers that the River sisters have married wonderful men and that they are still close to her and Rochester. She reports that St. John goes to India alone, and she does not expect another letter from him and believes that he may have died carrying out God’s work. She does not grieve his death, but hopes that he reaches the heavenly abode he had worked toward through his strong faith.

Analysis of Chapter 36 – Chapter 38

Jane’s choice to seek out Rochester even after Rochester’s betrayal gives this novel its signature genre detail of being gothic romance.

The sight of a burnt down Thornfield shocks Jane. When she realizes that Bertha was the cause of the accident that not only burnt down Thornfield but also handicapped Rochester, she doesn’t second guess her love for Rochester, but continues her journey to Ferndean to find him. The difference in the names “Thornfield” and “Ferndean” is also symbolic. Thornfield, with its imposing and dark name, is the space of secrets and ruin and is finally razed to the ground. Ferndean, with the mood of spring and refreshment, becomes the space where the lovers are reunited and their life and love find a new lease.

Rochester’s loss of sight can be read as divine punishment for his arrogance, pride, and disregard for religious tenets by marrying Jane while already having a wife in Bertha. However, the accident and Bertha’s eventual suicide become the reason for Jane and Rochester to unite.

Jane’s return to Rochester as an equal on account of her new-found wealth speaks to Jane’s desires to be independent. The birth of their child and the partial return of Rochester’s sight serve as omens of happiness and marital bliss for both of them.

The final chapter concludes with all the characters achieving their desires after paying for their vices. Jane is now blessed with love and domesticity. The Rivers sisters are well-settled. St. John is assumed dead whilst doing God’s work in India.