Wuthering Heights & Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Brontë & Emily Brontë
Contents
Jane Eyre — CHAPTER XVIII
Overview
Thornfield fills with gaiety as Rochester leads elaborate charades with Blanche, intensifying Jane’s private anguish. Rochester’s attention to Blanche seems calculated, not loving. The sudden arrival of Mr. Mason from Jamaica hints at hidden ties in Rochester’s past. A mysterious gipsy insists on reading fortunes, drawing Jane in last.
Summary
Thornfield becomes animated with guests and indoor amusements. One evening, Rochester organizes charades, pairing himself prominently with Blanche Ingram in tableaux of marriage, Eliezer and Rebecca, and a prisoner, delighting the party and focusing attention on their apparent courtship. Jane declines to play and watches from the sidelines.
As Rochester and Blanche exchange whispers and attention, Jane acknowledges her love for Rochester yet perceives his courtship as cool and strategic. She judges Blanche as showy but hollow, noting Blanche’s unkindness to Adèle and Rochester’s vigilant appraisal of Blanche’s defects. Jane believes he will marry Blanche for rank and connection, not love, which deepens her pain.
On a rainy day, a post-chaise brings a newcomer: Mr. Mason, a fashionable but oddly vacant man who has known Rochester in Jamaica. His presence surprises Jane and suggests distant travels and concealed history. While Rochester is away, the guests are listless; his return typically revives them.
That evening, a gipsy woman in the servants’ hall demands to tell fortunes. Despite elder protests, Blanche insists on seeing her first, returning stiff and dissatisfied. Three younger ladies visit next and rush back claiming uncanny revelations. Amid the commotion, the gipsy insists there is another single young lady; Jane slips out to consult her, intrigued and unafraid.
Who Appears
- Jane EyreGoverness and observer; recognizes her love for Rochester, critiques Blanche, and agrees to visit the gipsy.
- Edward Fairfax RochesterMaster of Thornfield; leads charades with Blanche, courts her coolly, and is linked to Mr. Mason’s Jamaica past.
- Blanche IngramRochester’s favored guest; showy and scornful, fails to truly engage him; consults the gipsy and returns displeased.
- Mr. MasonNew arrival from Jamaica; Rochester’s old acquaintance whose presence hints at hidden history.
- Mrs. FairfaxHousekeeper; manages household bustle and tries to send the gipsy away.
- Adèle VarensJane’s pupil; joins the charades and is often snubbed by Blanche.
- Colonel DentGuest; leads opposing charade team and champions admitting the gipsy.
- Lady IngramBlanche’s mother; haughty, opposes the gipsy but yields to Blanche’s will.
- Sir George LynnGuest; participates in charades and social diversions.
- Mr. EshtonMagistrate guest; discusses matters with others and considers stocks for the gipsy.
- Amy EshtonYoung guest; takes part in charades and visits the gipsy with friends.
- Louisa EshtonYoung guest; joins the charades and the gipsy visit, returns agitated.
- Mary IngramBlanche’s sister; flatters Mr. Mason and visits the gipsy nervously.
- Lord IngramBlanche’s brother; flirts with Amy Eshton and comments on Blanche’s return.
- Henry LynnGuest; organizes diversions and remarks on the gipsy’s preferences.
- Frederick LynnGuest; encourages admitting the gipsy for entertainment.
- Mrs. EshtonGuest; converses amiably and tends the agitated young ladies.
- Mrs. LynnDowager guest; disapproves of the gipsy’s visit.
- SamFootman; mediates with the gipsy and summons individual visitors.