Fire and Ice

The "fire" and "ice" merely acts as a symbolism for two main characters who hold these "elements" within their personalities: Edward Rochester (fire) and St. John Rivers (ice). The use of fire and ice in this novel serves to show Jane Eyre in a sort of intermediate position between the two men.

Which is more preferable: fire or ice? That would depend on the circumstances of which this question is being presented. It also depends on whom this question is being conferred upon as well. In this case, the "whom" is a young woman in Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. The protagonist, Jane Eyre, faces this intriguing question of fire or ice. However, it is more complicated than that. The "fire" and "ice" merely acts as a symbolism for two main characters who hold these "elements" within their personalities: Edward Rochester (fire) and St. John Rivers (ice). The use of fire and ice in this novel serves to show Jane in a sort of intermediate position between the two men. Throughout the course of the novel the contrast between Edward Rochester and St. John Rivers becomes more eminent, putting forth the arduous decision of which man she should marry. She makes this decision through her attraction to the men's physical appearance, their intellectual/emotional stride, and what effect and relation they have to Jane.

An important part of the decision to embark on the journey of marriage is the human beings natural act of making a judgement and resolution upon physical appearance. The physical appearance of Edward Rochester and St. John Rivers are apparently shown to be quite different. At Jane's first meeting with Rochester she observes that "he had a dark face, with stern features and a heavy brow" (116). In this introduction she views Rochester to be cold in appearance. However, once the light of the fire illuminates his face she sees past his "not-so-handsome" features. Upon further observation in the novel it can be unveiled that Rochester possesses the warmness of fire within. Now on first glance upon the saintly St. John it is inevitable to say that he is very handsome. St. John "was young" (347) unlike Rochester. He was "tall, slender" and "his face riveted the eye...like a Greek face, very pure in outline" (347). Yet, does the warmness of this man's physical features reflect what is truly within? It can be stereotyped that when making a decision of matrimonial consequence one will first focus on the physical appearance of a probable spouse. Yet, is this so with Jane Eyre? Based upon Jane's personal view she has a "reverence and homage for beauty, elegance, gallantry and fascination" (117). Upon reading this one can decipher that Jane prefers St. Johns "pure" features compared to Rochester's "stern" features. Yet, Jane "instinctively knows" (123) that those with beauty and elegance could never "have sympathy with anything"(123) inside herself. She goes on to explain that she should "shun" them and anything "bright and antipathetic" (123), which introduces the possibility that St. John may be categorized into such a description. Looks are not what they seem to be, suggesting that there is more than the physical appearance of these two men being taken into consideration.

Another significant quality to be observed before a decision about matrimonial matters is the characteristics of a person, usually shown in their personality. Part of the personality is how one acts with the emotion of affection. Jane experiences two different types of affection from St. John and Rochester. Rochester, who is very much associated with fire, seems to have a "fever" for lust. On one level, this "fire" is the Romantic fire of passion that eventually seizes Rochester and Jane. His physical description is that of being dark in complexion, perhaps symbolizing that he has been "burnt" by his passions. His passion can also be seen in his figure with the "strange fire in his look" and with his flaming and flashing eyes", which symbolizes that he seeks passion. However, St. John's eyes are "large and blue" (347), representing endless depths of ice. Even in Jane's observation of him being "a statue instead of a man" (347) shows what ability St. John has to show or even hold passion. A statue is not living and unfeeling, therefore it cannot feel passion. St. John separates himself from the world to fulfill his "holy duty", including the strong emotion of passion. It can be noted that Rochester does in fact possess the love of passion through the symbolism of fire. St. John, however, seems to be devoid of the fiery hearth of passion. Jane makes note of his "coldness" when she felt as is she had "fell under a freezing spell" (270) cast by St. John. She knows that "the intimacy" she felt with Rochester will never "extend to him [St. John]" (353).

Jane is a transitional position between St. John and Rochester. She is more frequently associated with water (which is in part opposed to fire), but is nevertheless not immobile as ice, and is most of the time life enhancing. Fire cannot scorch water, yet ice can freeze water. From this reasoning it can be determined that Jane will not be affected negatively by Rochester's passion, however, with St. John, she will surely have her "inner flame" extinguished; the rushing waters of her soul frozen and immobilized. Rochester makes note of Jane's need of fire, as well as her inner flame: "You are cold, because you are alone; no contact strikes the fire from you that is in you" (198). Rochester knows of Jane's need for fire in her life, even is she does not yet realize it. Yet St. John knows not, nor cares for Jane's need of passion and love in her life. Jane knows that "as his wife" she will "always [be] restrained, and always checked" (410), which does not give her the independence and identity that she seeks. She further explains that she will be "forced to keep the fire" of her nature "continually low, to compel it to burn inwardly and never utter a cry, though the imprisoned flame consumed vital after vital--this would be unendurable" (410). She realizes that St. John will not love her, and that he will destroy her spirit if she chooses to marry him. With Rochester at her side, she is much at ease. Jane comes to understand that she "was with an equal" (409) when she was in the presence of Rochester. Although fire and water are opposite in nature they well coincide to maintain a delicate balance in nature, as is true with Jane and Rochester. As her husband, Rochester will continually feed the fire of her soul and not let it die. His fire fascinates her and gives her a new meaning for life. For once in her life, Jane feels real love, and from someone she loves as well. At the same time, Jane will refresh Rochester, as water is usually a symbolism for cleanliness. Together they will live in harmony.
Which is more preferable: fire or ice? It has become evident that, to Jane, she favors fire. Jane makes a wise decision in choosing to marry Rochester. There is true love between them. With him she can grow and be unrestrained, which is unlikely to have happened had she chosen to marry St. John. Rochester needed not to be handsome in order for Jane to fall in love with him. She looked deeper than the skin to find the "real" person she wanted to marry. With St. John, she found ice and a stone wall, where inside there is not the warmth of passion at all. In Rochester she found the fire that she knew would keep her flame burning through the rest of her life.