CHAPTER 38

"Reader, I married him." So, with this much-quoted line, begins the conclusion of the novel. In this final chapter, we are reminded that the voice we have been hearing narrate the story all along belongs to the mature Jane Eyre, who is recalling events that happened years earlier.

We are now brought up to date on what took place in the ten years following Jane and Rochester's marriage: Adele, Rochester's little French ward, was taken out of her strict school and placed in a more lenient one where she was able to grow up free and cheerful. Diana and Mary Rivers both found good husbands.

As for Jane and Rochester, their marriage is a complete success. "...I am my husband's life as fully as he is mine. No woman was ever nearer to his mate than I am," Jane says.

After two years of marriage, Rochester even regained the sight of his one remaining eye-and in time to see the face of his first-born son.

The story ends on a note of forgiveness for St. John. Hard labor and tropical diseases have already taken their toll on St. John's health, but St. John feels no fear at the prospect of an early death which will reconcile him with God at last and end his struggles with earthly temptations.

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