“In some works of literature, a character who appears briefly, or does not appear at all, is a significant presence. Choose a novel or play of literary merit and write an essay in which you show how such a character functions in the work. You may wish to discuss how the character affects action, theme, or the development of other characters. Avoid plot summary.”
The entire back bone behind the story is the fact that Mr. Rochester has a hidden wife locked away in a room, guarded and cared for by the strange Ms. Poole.
This is the case because, had the wife been capable of caring for Mr. Rochester’s ward, when Jane decided to spread her wings and escape the compound that was Lowood Institution. For, when Jane sent post to make an advertisement out, Mrs. Fairfax answered for a governess for the ward in Rochester’s’ care. We know, from reading of older days, that when the woman of the house is in good health, the children are well cared for and usually attend a school if they are well enough off.
Once Jane arrives at the Hall, she is introduced to a Ms. Grace Poole, a very secretive and stand-offish woman who immediately struck Jane as a bizarre being. Immediately amongst Mr. Rochester’s arrival and a week or so past, a mysterious fire was set in Mr. Rochester’s apartment whilst he is asleep, a bizarre laugh roused Jane from her sleep and she rushed to his aide. After awakening him, she states her assumptions that Grace was involved and he leaves her in his apartment and ascends the stairs into the third floor of the mansion. Shortly after his departure, he returns and informs Jane she has nothing to worry about and to retire to her apartment.
Then whilst a party is occurring at Thornfield, a Mr. Mason is brutally attacked during the night, waking everyone from their sleep. Mr. Rochester runs to the aide of the offended and then quickly returns to the guests to bid them back to their apartments. After all was still, and he knew all were asleep, he pardoned Jane to go with him to the third floor and aide him. She dutifully followed him, where she soon saw the offended bleeding profusely. Mr. Rochester asks her whilst cleaning the man up, if she would stay with this brutalized man while he got a surgeon. After he is cared for by the surgeon and sent off, month or two went by and Jane finally reveals her love to Mr. Rochester and he proposes. During the wedding we learn of the wife, and we learn that she had been behind all of the happenings at Thornfield. She had attacked her brother, Mr. Mason, and had attempted murder against Mr. Rochester because she was mentally ill.
Behind all things that occurred during the course of Jane’s stay at Thornfield, and even after, were because of the wife. Had she been healthy, Jane would not have been invited there, her and Rochester would not have had those trials and fallen in love, and they would not have been married after her death.
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