Jane Eyre Chapter 27 Summary

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Questions and Answers

What does Jane ask for when she reaches the farmhouse?

A piece of bread

What do the two young ladies use to help them read and translate books?

Thesauruses

Dictionaries (correct)

Encyclopedias

Grammar books

Hannah allows Jane to speak to the ladies without hesitation.

False

Who does Jane invent a pseudonym for herself?

Jane Elliott Signup and view all the answers

Jane feels cared for by ______ when she finds a dry place to sleep.

Mother Nature Signup and view all the answers

What does Jane eat and drink so fast that the siblings have to take it away?

Bread and milk Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship of Diana and Mary to St. John?

Sisters Signup and view all the answers

Jane successfully finds a job immediately upon arriving in the village.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does Jane debate internally while she stays in her room?

Whether she really has to leave Thornfield. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Rochester keep Bertha a secret from the governess?

He thought no one would stay if they knew about her. Signup and view all the answers

Rochester claims that he would abandon Jane if she were mad.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does Rochester propose to Jane regarding their future?

To send Adèle to school and go off somewhere together. Signup and view all the answers

What does Jane ultimately decide to do?

Leave Thornfield permanently. Signup and view all the answers

In Chapter 28, Jane ends up somewhere called ______ after her money runs out.

Whitcross Signup and view all the answers

What does Jane have to pray for before she can sleep in the moor?

For Mr. Rochester. Signup and view all the answers

Jane successfully barters for food at the bakery.

False Signup and view all the answers

Who does Jane intend to ask for help in the village?

The local clergyman. Signup and view all the answers

What does Jane find to eat while she is on the moor?

Berries Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 27 Summary

Jane debates leaving Thornfield, emerging to find Rochester waiting for her outside her room.
Jane is faint and dizzy; Rochester carries her to the library and offers her wine.
Jane refuses to embrace Rochester, hinting at her desire to maintain distance despite their bond.
Rochester proposes sending Adèle to school, suggesting they leave together, indicating his intention to escape Thornfield.
He reveals he kept Bertha's existence a secret to ensure governesses would stay; plans to leave Bertha in care of Mrs. Poole.
Jane rebukes Rochester's cruel attitude toward Bertha, affirming that madness is not a choice.
Rochester shares the backstory of his marriage to Bertha Mason, including his father's manipulative intentions.
Jane learns of Bertha's history of mental illness and Rochester's struggles after their marriage.
He recounts attempts to find happiness throughout Europe, culminating in meeting Jane, who he found uniquely appealing.
Despite Rochester’s pleas for Jane to stay and become his wife, she values her principles and refuses the proposal.
Jane dreams of her past in Gateshead, reaffirming her resolve to flee temptation and leave Thornfield.
Early in the morning, Jane packs lightly, leaving behind gifts from Rochester, tempted yet determined to escape.

Chapter 28 Summary

Jane is abruptly left in Whitcross by the coachman due to her empty pockets, forcing her to walk to a nearby village.
The night is spent outdoors on the moor, where she feels comforted by nature and prays for Rochester.
The following day, she heads into town, navigating her hunger and seeking work but finding limited options.
Despite her pride, Jane struggles to ask for help, visiting homes only to be turned away.
She attempts barter at a bakery but is too ashamed to complete the transaction for food.
Jane's determination leads her to seek out the local clergyman’s advice at the parsonage but discovers he is absent.
Her circumstances force her to continue wandering, garnering little food and seeking shelter in the woods.
A chance encounter with a farmer provides her a piece of bread, but desperation drives her on.
Ultimately, Jane spots a light in the distance, signaling hope, and approaches the house where she observes the family inside.
The occupants include Diana and Mary, who are mourning their recent loss, hinting at their familial connections.
The old servant, Hannah, is initially wary of Jane, offering only a piece of bread and a penny when she seeks to speak with the ladies.### Jane's Arrival at St. John’s House
Jane is wet, hungry, and exhausted, leading her to collapse on the doorstep of a house.
Hannah, the housekeeper, is initially unwilling to let Jane in but is influenced by St. John.
St. John identifies Jane as someone of importance and invites her inside.

The Siblings' Hospitality

Diana and Mary, St. John's sisters, show immediate sympathy towards Jane, offering her bread and milk.
Jane, feeling famished, consumes the food rapidly, prompting the sisters to intervene for her health.
Exhaustion prevents Jane from sharing her story, but she cleverly adopts the pseudonym "Jane Elliott."

Jane's Struggles After Being Left at Whitcross

Jane is dropped at a location called Whitcross after running out of money; it consists of only crossroads.
Faced with darkness and uncertainty, she decides to spend the night in the moors, feeling supported by nature.
She manages to find dry shelter and some berries but is eventually troubled by thoughts of Mr. Rochester.

Search for Work and Food

In the morning, Jane aimlessly walks away from Whitcross and eventually discovers a small village.
She explores the bakery, hoping to barter her possessions for food, but her embarrassment prevents her from negotiating.
Inquiry into job opportunities yields no prospects as the woman at the bakery offers little assistance.

Encounter with the Local Community

Jane attempts to offer her services as a servant at a nearby house but is met with rejection.
Determined to find nourishment, she approaches a farmer and successfully requests a piece of bread.
Sleeping outdoors, Jane is further challenged by rain, making her situation more desperate.

Continuation of Jane's Journey

The next day brings no luck in finding work; she sustains herself on a meager bowl of porridge meant for pigs.
Leaving the village behind, she seeks a hiding place in the hills but is drawn towards a distant light.
The light comes from a large house where she observes the lives of others, including a knitting servant and two mourning young women.

Important Observations

The two young women, Diana and Mary, are depicted engaging with books, indicating an education in languages.
The house shows signs of mourning due to the recent death of their father, providing context to their character.
Hannah's attitude reflects initial mistrust of Jane, yet she still offers minimal assistance before St. John intervenes.

Conclusion of this Encounter

After being invited inside by St. John, Jane experiences kindness and compassion for the first time in her recent struggles.
The siblings, without prior knowledge of Jane's past, decide to care for her, demonstrating their innate generosity.

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Description

Explore the pivotal moments in Chapter 27 of 'Jane Eyre'. In this chapter, Jane faces a critical decision about her future with Rochester, who reveals his past and the burden of his marriage. Their complex relationship unfolds as Jane confronts Rochester's treatment of Bertha and his plans to escape Thornfield.