The Many Quirks of Rochester

He has a bit of a comic relief character feel to him, don't you think? If it weren't for the fact that he plays such a vital role in the book both as Jane's new employer as well as the deepest, most secret desire of her heart, I would have cast him as such. But what do we know of him so far? Let's recap.

Rochester has had issues with those who have been close to him in the past, including an apparently wicked brother (and possibly father, though he may have just been helpless) who contrived to steal his inheritance from under him and an unfaithful lover who claims that her child is his: whether or not this is actually true, we are not entirely sure, though most believe the child is his.

He also believes that witchcraft could be afoot. When he meets Jane at Thornfield (after his incident at the stile), he blames his fall on her and her "men in green." Upon reflection, this is likely just a joke on his part, in order that he might not be his own reason for falling, or rather the ice being the reason. Yet some who live at Thornfield suggest that it could be haunted, or at least go so far as to identify the haunt of a ghost were there such a thing at Thornfield, which might lead one to believe that there is such a being in residence at Thornfield.

He even seems to be just a shade bipolar. Intensely telling a story one minute, deep in conversation with his fate the next, his mood swings are unpredictable, and this is not exactly typical of a man rapidly approaching his forties, as we soon learn from Mrs. Fairfax. Fortunately, it seems as though this is a trait that allows for getting used to, so we shall soon see as the story progresses even further. Jane already seems to be prepared for most of his eccentricities, but we have half the book yet to go. Time will tell.

He also dresses as a woman. Just saying.