Wuthering Heights & Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Brontë & Emily Brontë
Contents
Jane Eyre — CHAPTER XXI
Overview
Jane is summoned to Gateshead, where she learns John Reed has died and Mrs. Reed is near death. After securing leave from Mr. Rochester, Jane confronts her past, meeting the cold Eliza and vain Georgiana. Mrs. Reed reveals she suppressed a letter from Jane’s wealthy uncle offering adoption, then dies unrepentant.
Summary
Haunted by recurring infant dreams, Jane receives Robert Leaven’s news: John Reed has died and Mrs. Reed has suffered a stroke, calling for Jane. Jane asks Mr. Rochester for leave and travel money; he insists on paying her wages, teases her about advertising for work, and agrees to arrange Adèle’s schooling before his prospective marriage.
Jane departs early and reaches Gateshead, greeting Bessie kindly and recalling her childhood. She meets Eliza and Georgiana, whose froideur and vanity no longer unsettle her. Resolving to stay regardless of their treatment, she prepares for a vigil at her aunt’s bedside.
Days pass amid Eliza’s rigid routines and Georgiana’s self-absorption. Jane sketches to occupy herself, secretly drawing Mr. Rochester’s likeness. During a lucid interval, Mrs. Reed acknowledges long-standing hatred, then has Jane read a three-year-old letter from John Eyre offering to adopt Jane and leave her his estate; Mrs. Reed admits she replied that Jane had died at Lowood.
Jane offers forgiveness and seeks reconciliation, but Mrs. Reed remains hard, refusing even a kiss. Her mind fails again; that night she dies. Eliza views the body calmly, Georgiana weeps loudly, and Jane reflects soberly on death and the unsoftened nature that has just passed.
Who Appears
- Jane EyreProtagonist; seeks leave from Rochester, travels to Gateshead, tends her dying aunt, learns of hidden adoption letter.
- Mrs. Sarah ReedJane’s aunt; dying after a stroke, confesses suppressing John Eyre’s letter, refuses reconciliation, and dies.
- Mr. RochesterGrants Jane leave and wages, jokes about her future, agrees to arrange Adèle’s schooling before his marriage.
- Bessie LeavenFormer nurse; now married, welcomes Jane, helps relay messages, remains one of the few attentive to Mrs. Reed.
- Robert LeavenReed family coachman; brings news of John Reed’s death and Mrs. Reed’s stroke, escorts Jane’s return.
- Eliza ReedAustere cousin; lives by strict routine, scolds Georgiana, plans secluded life after their mother’s death.
- Georgiana ReedVain cousin; recalls London admirers, avoids sickroom, quarrels with Eliza, weeps after their mother’s death.
- John EyreJane’s uncle in Madeira; wrote offering adoption and inheritance, letter suppressed by Mrs. Reed.
- John ReedJane’s cousin; his dissipated life ends in reported suicide, precipitating Mrs. Reed’s stroke.
- NurseHired attendant at Gateshead; inattentive, leaving Jane to tend Mrs. Reed at times.