In the portion of the novel Jane Eyre where Jane visits Moor House, Charlotte Brontë is portraying Jane’s need for a balance of principles and passionate love in her relationships. Mr. Rochester embodies passionate love, while Mr. Rivers exhibits strong principles.
Jane spurns the proposals of these two men, because neither of them has attained an equilibrium between love and principles. She refuses to marry Mr. Rochester, because of his distinct lack of moral values. Although her feelings tell her to “sooth him…love him”, she will not, out of respect for herself, and a desire to “keep the law given by God.” Conversely, she turns down Mr. Rivers’ proposal because though he has great principles, he has no love for her. His reason for asking her hand is one of necessity, “there is no other way”, not because he cares for her. Through her experiences with both of these men, Jane gains a deeper understanding of what she values most, loving feelings tempered by godly principles.
Mr. Rochester displays intense passionate love. Caring deeply about Jane, he will do anything to convince her to throw off her inhibitions, and love him in return. At times, he becomes so passionate and caught up in his feelings, that he pushes aside Jane’s wishes, even becoming violent when she does not respond to his fervent emotion. He has little respect for principles, doing what is right, as evidenced by his former unethical lifestyle. Following his forceful manner, he commands Jane to “give [your pledge of fidelity] me now.” Since Rochester is already married, a union between him and Jane would be immoral. Jane is drawn to him by the intense feelings which they share for each other, but is restrained by her principles.
Mr. Rivers is at the other end of the spectrum. He values nothing higher than doing what is right, but carries that so far as to discard love and feelings entirely. Trying to convince Jane to come to India as his wife, “a missionary’s wife,” he uses logic, almost debating with her. Appealing to her mind, he neglects her heart, which leads to her refusal, and her departure from Moor House. Jane’s view of him is that “he will never love me.” Although she admires his character, she cannot pledge the rest of her life to a man who does not love her.
Rochester and Rivers each display either love or principles, and both are sorely lacking in the other area. In the end, Jane does choose Rochester, but his other wife has died, and he has become a more respectable character. Blinded and crippled in an accident, he is acutely aware of his dependence, and is amazed that Jane would come back looking for him. This second time, he asks Jane, “Will you marry me?” instead of demanding her affection. No longer does he expect her to do anything with which she feels uncomfortable. Because he has arrived at this point of balance between love and principles, she embraces his proposal with a clear conscience.