Jane’s relationship with Mr. Rochester is fraught with contradictions--making a choice between freedom and companionship is hard for Jane, but also central to their relationship. When he falls off his horse, ,Jane emphasizes with Mr. Rochester --she cannot bear to leave him, even though she does not know him, because she understands the pain and suffering being alone brings. Giving reason for lingering, she assures him, “I cannot think of leaving you at so late an hour, in this solitary lane, till I see you are fit to mount your horse (134).” Jane’s unwillingness to let Mr. Rochester lead a solitary life demonstrates she has not healed from her suffering at Gateshead and Lowood, and does not want to inflict these wounds onto anyone. It also…show more content… Her prioritization is especially apparent when she soliloquizes about the choice between a temporary heaven with Mr. Rochester and leaving all that she has known for freedom. She chooses to leave, because even though staying with Mr. Rochester might be what her heart wants, it would be at the expense of being her own person, and figuring out the real world for herself. When Jane decides to stay with Mr. Rochester, she comes to terms with the fact that she values the love and comfort that Mr. Rochester provides her, especially at the end of the book when they become closer to equals. Since Mr. Rochester has suffered sacrifices of his own, being constrained by his disability, he emphasizes with Jane’s struggle. Mr. Rochester’s profession of happiness also lets Jane balance her two needs. When he says “I will at least choose--her I love best”, he demonstrates his happiness with Jane (513). Mr. Rochester implies that he belongs to her, which is a reversal from earlier in the novel where their relationship was focused on Mr. Rochester’s power over Jane--in fact, that is the reason why Jane left him.His implication allows Jane to choose to stay with Mr. Rochester on her own, rather than feeling as though she is forced into a choice without volition. With his comment, Jane realizes that she would be free to
