Who IS that Mad Woman in the Attic

I read Jane Eyre in my teens (I think) and remember liking it very much, though not as much as Wuthering Heights. I think Emily Bronte was just such a strong writer and her work was so intense and haunting - and very hard to match by anyone else, in her family or outside of it.

Jane Eyre has stayed with me too, mostly because of Rochester's first wife Bertha -- the madwoman in the attic. I always thought there was more story there than Charlotte Bronte was telling - even if I couldn't figure out why. I think my first experience with "mad women" came through this book - and then others seemed part of the archetype we've been fed over the years.

What sent Bertha into madness? In the book her illness is said to be hereditary and there is very little explanation, which would be in keeping with the attitude toward mental illness in Bronte's time. She is mostly portrayed as a creature to be feared, and an obstacle to Jane's happy marriage with Rochester.

I understand that we are in a different time and when Charlotte was writing, people with mental illness were treated terribly and there was very little understanding of what was going on. In 1847, when this book was written, I know women had very few options, and I've come to think of the "madwoman" in literature as women trying to be free. That may be a cliche by now, but it still rings true.

I also wonder why Rochester makes a lot of excuses for himself as to why he married Bertha. He says he married her quickly and was never in love, though later he contradicts himself and says he did love her. I can't help but feel that Rochester's treatment of his wife tells us a lot more about him than Jane wants to admit.

And part of me wants to say "Run!!!!"   :)

I read The Wide Sargasso Sea some time ago, but never realized it was in fact about Rochester's first wife, so am planning to read it again. I can't help but feel there may be a play in there (if it hasn't already been written).

Also can't help feeling that all the Brontes had some familiarity with mental illness -- and that Emily does the most spectacular job of writing about compulsions, violence in families, obsession and love. Will have to write about that in a future blog.

When I get done with thinking about Rochester's first wife.

Woman in Turban: Rennett Stowe


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