"His [Daniel Cosway's] claim to know the secrets of the Cosway family accounts to claim to all of the knowledge that has escaped or mocked Rochester during his marriage....Though Rochester refuses to pay Cosway, he nonetheless believes him, precisely because Daniel Cosway believes in the fiction of 'Edward Rochester, Gentleman.'"
~"Edward Rochester and the Margins of Masculinity in Jane Eyre and Wide Sargasso Sea" by Kendrick
This does make sense, based on what we know of Rochester from the two novels. It seems as if he always tends to go for whatever is most convenient for him. In the case of Antoinette in Wide Sargasso Sea, he doesn't love her. He married her for her money. The convenient solution to his loveless marriage is what Cosway presents to him--insanity. If she is insane, he can lock her away and never have to really deal with her. He can just pay someone to take care of her and then simply pretend that she doesn't exist--for as long as he is able, that is.
Comments (3)
Yes, whatever is convienient for him. "Well Jane, I am still married. But, I don't love her. I love you, so let's just pretend like I'm not married and you can be my mistress". Rochester does always seem to take the easy way out. Marrying for money, locking Antoinette away, proposing Jane be his mistress instead of wife. He never deals with his problems , just locks them away. Ultimately, this cause him his eventual disfigurement. He needs to have an excuse for his actions, so that he is able to look at himself in the mirror.
Posted by Daniella Choynowski | October 30, 2007 10:33 AM
Posted on October 30, 2007 10:33
It not only the money...
What does men with money usually do, get a trophy wife. Rochester does not respect Antonette but want her around his arm to show that he is not a total failure of a man.
Posted by Kevin "Kelo The Great" Hinton | October 30, 2007 11:11 AM
Posted on October 30, 2007 11:11
I wrote on almost the same quote. Rochester truly wants to be a gentleman, but in his situation, he can't be what he thinks of as a gentleman.
Posted by Diana Geleskie | October 30, 2007 12:51 PM
Posted on October 30, 2007 12:51