Mr. Rochester is a “Bronte Sisters” hero – an anti-hero
with gothic qualities. He is dark, brooding and described as not particularly handsome
but with something attractive deep in his soul – a kind of Heathcliff without the
destructiveness of vengeance. Rochester is haunted by the guilt of his past life that
has left him with both a child by a former mistress (Adele) and an insane wife (Bertha)
whom although he keeps hidden away in the attic, is nevertheless caring for as opposed
to putting her in an insane asylum where she belongs. He was tricked into marrying
Bertha, but he believes it is his duty nonetheless to care for her. Rochester and Jane
are alike in that they both possess personal qualities that transcend their physical
appearances. This is what attracts them both to each other – they see what lies beneath
the exterior.
Rochester tries to ignore morality in
pursuing a bigamous marriage with Jane and then when his marriage to Bertha is exposed,
trying to convince Jane to become his mistress. In the end, however, he pays for this
sin by having his house burned down, becoming blind and losing the use of his right
hand. His love for Jane stays true, however, and he is eventually rewarded with marriage
to her.
Like the other Bronte sisters’ male characters,
Rochester’s character helps illustrate the theme of love and passion. These sisters must
have believed that strong, passionate love was a wonderful ideal, something to be sought
after, and something that was certainly not present in most marriages during Victorian
times. Rochester also represents the theme of atonement and forgiveness. He is maimed
because of his transgression of moral law, but his deep love atones for his sin and he
is forgiven and restored to Jane.
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