Let the Wedding Continue

I write this as my final note, before I leap to my death and allow the marriage of Miss Eyre and Rochester to continue.

It seems my crazy actions were not enough to scare Miss Eyre away. It took Mr. Briggs making a stand in the middle of the wedding for the engagement to be called off. Mr. Briggs announced Rochester’s marriage to myself, over 15 years ago in in Jamaica. Although Rochester at first tried to hide that I was still alive, the truth eventually came tumbling out.

The fact of the matter is, Rochester never loved me. It was an arraigned marriage, for, because his brother Rowland was to receive the family estate, his father wanted Rochester to be wealthy. My father was to give me 30,000 pounds, which made me a wealthy wife to have. In my time, I was beautiful. Much more beautiful than Miss Eyre could ever be, although her plainness now surpasses my ratted hair and tattered clothing.

In my prior post, I stated that going mad was my choice, and that I only allow myself to be as mad as I want to be. This is simply not true. My family has a history of madness; my mother was locked in an asylum, and my younger brother was a babbling idiot. My elder brother will likely be in the same state of mind, eventually. Rochester was right to lock me away and keep me out of sight. He could not hurt his reputation by divorcing me, although being seen with me would hurt his reputation, regardless.

Ever since Miss Eyre discovered my existence and left Thornfield Hall two months ago, Rochester has been a different man. He has been sad, and more distant, lately. It is clear he loved her; it is obvious that Miss Eyre is good for him and that this marriage should go on. How though, can I convince her to return to Thornfield Hall and once again be with Rochester? Reader, please think me sane for a few moments while I explain my plan.

In order for Miss Eyre to return, I must do something extreme and unheard of. Something that others will talk about. This is why I have decided to burn Thornfield Hall to ruins. Yes, this seems mad. But I will create a fire in the dead of night (it is nearing that time as I write this). However, I must do so in a manner that seems out of spite for Miss Eyre.

I will begin by setting fire to the room adjacent to mine, and then move to Miss Eyre’s former room, where I shall burn her bedchambers. The fire will then spread to the rest of the house. I do hope Rochester survives the fire. I feel he will – he has always escaped my former harassments. I shall wait on the roof, as the fire causes the house to fall, until I see Rochester is safe. I shall shout and shout and cause a scene – and then I will jump to my death, freeing Rochester from his imprisonment with me.

Yes, I am a madwoman – but I have my moments of sanity, and this is one of those moments. I must die if Miss Eyre and Rochester are to marry. This is the only way. So, here I write my final message. I wish the best for the couple, and I hope they have a happy a joyful wedding. I hope she takes care of him, as I was never able to do. My insanity got the best of me. The wedding vows read “until death do us part” – and part now, we shall.

Sincerely,
Bertha Mason
(Source: Jane Eyre pages 247, 260-63, 363-65)