Well, he did it because he knew that she would reject him. I'm not saying it was right, just that it's an understandable, human reaction to hide something like that. (And again, the narrative did punish him quite severely for it)
If you really want to beat on Rochester, I'd think the better way is to point out what a dick he was about the marriage--doing all those things to test and see whether Jane was in love with him, then not even bothering to tell her it was her he was in love with until she was about ready to leave. (As much as I'm a sucker for "jealous misunderstandings" and as much as I love Jane Eyre, even I have to admit it was a spectatularly dickish thing to do)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 09:39 pm (UTC)If you really want to beat on Rochester, I'd think the better way is to point out what a dick he was about the marriage--doing all those things to test and see whether Jane was in love with him, then not even bothering to tell her it was her he was in love with until she was about ready to leave. (As much as I'm a sucker for "jealous misunderstandings" and as much as I love Jane Eyre, even I have to admit it was a spectatularly dickish thing to do)