Jane Eyre grows a great deal through this section of the book. She has become a young woman who knows what she wants ¿ and can speak the truth. From the start when Mr. Rochester asks if he is handsome to her and she blatantly answers ¿ ¿No sir,¿ in a way that just ¿slips from her tongue,¿ (121) clearly shows this part of her personality. There is something greatly admirable about a woman who has this courage, and does not step back from challenges. She does, however, experience the confusion of young infatuation when Mr. Rochester tells her about his affair with Adele¿s mother. A feeling typical to young girls, she knows she has the emotional attachments, but others ridicule her and do not understand it. ¿You never felt jealousy, did you, Miss Eyre? Of course not: I need not ask you; because you never felt love.¿ (132) It is a terrible feeling to be belittled, especially by those whom you admire and look up to. The relationship between Mr. Rochester and Jane at the time is not fully developed, but foreshadows the romantic relationship we see in the later chapters. When Jane first sees Blanche, she is highly critical, experiencing a first bit of jealousy previously described. ¿¿I regarded her, of course, with special interest.¿ (161). The critical eye of a girl who feels threatened is clearly seen, and young love grows. Is this at all realistic? I cannot help but be a little skeptical. The deal seemed made ¿ after all Mr. Rochester was getting married and quite a bit older than young Jane ¿ but it did not seem to hold her back. Life for Jane goes through a series of twists and turns and when all seems calm and serene a wedding is announced, that of Jane and Mr. Rochester! How this happens however is still a bit fuzzy to me. The monumental moment occurs on a walk, and while the focus is on the wedding, my attention cannot help but be drawn to a familiar topic ¿ free will. Jane struggles with Mr. Rochester before she realizes it is their wedding he is referring to and she makes a comment which I still greatly am influenced by:

¿Jane, be still: don¿t struggle so, like a wild frantic bird that is rending its own plumage in its desperation.¿

¿I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will, which I will now exert to leave you.¿ (240)

The concept of independent will is a focus throughout our course, and recently with the images of the female I believe this statement adds to the strength of the female. In the remaining chapters of this selection Jane¿s life is twisted again as she learns of the past of her fiancé. What road will she take? It is still uncertain. What is certain is that she will create the road alone, after all as her fiancé said: ¿And your will shall decide your destiny.¿ (241)