How Jane Eyre Fears Becoming Bertha Mason

Throughout the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Jane struggles with balancing being who she wants to be while conforming to the expectations of society. On many occasions throughout the novel, Jane makes many decisions out of the fear of becoming Bertha Mason. This can be best seen on the two instances when Jane refuses to marry a man seeking to be her groom. After learning that Bertha Mason is Rochester's wife and has been locked in his attic, Jane refuses to marry Rochester. Other than morals, Jane likely does this out of the fear of being controlled by Rochester and losing her free will and privilege to think and make choices on her own that she values so highly. This can also be seen when St. John asks Jane, a religious woman, to marry him as a sacrifice to her religion. However, she would need to be a submissive wife, and Jane, by refusing his offer, once again shows that she values her freedom more than anything else. Additionally, Jane flees Rochester's mansion, worried that otherwise she would not be able to leave. Jane's fear of being controlled as a wife likely stemmed from seeing Rochester control Bertha Mason, his wife whom he cares none for, keeps locked up, and considers a monster. (sorry for this being a reply I thought I could edit the original post if I started the thread Tuesday night but I can't)

I think the fact that Jane thinks more before making decisions also shows how much she has matured. In the beginning of the novel, Jane acts impulsively and she doesn't consider the consequences of her actions (like when she struck back at John). Later on when St. John asks her to marry him, she thinks about it more and weighs out the pros and cons. 

I feel like we could almost then say, using that reasoning, that Jane's time at Moor House was her epiphany?! That aside, however, I think that Jane and Rochester's marriage relates to a great deal more than a contrast to Bertha. Personally, I believe that Jane and Rochester symbolize a role reversal along with highlighting the major flaws in relationships at the time. To explain, look at how Jane is in the beginning in comparison to the end, from poor sickly orphan girl to proud, independent, emotionally strong woman. Rochester, on the other hand, has gone from brooding, sophisticated aristocrat to a blind cripple. Both of them completely go on this change as a result of their own actions and the outside forces such as lies and deceit and whatnot. How does this all relate to Bertha? I think the epiphany that Jane sort of has at Moor House may be forced: call me crazy, but I would wager that Rochester is not really talking to Jane, but that she is talking to herself, as in forcing herself to come to her senses, realize her emotions, and not turn into the static character that Bertha is. Because of her overarching fear for Bertha and her decisions henceforth, Rochester is shown to change a great deal, as described above. Thanks for reading.