This is Madness? This is Bertha!

      Madness is a theme present throughout the novel as characters not only go mad, but even commit suicide in certain circumstances. Although most of these characters who face madness are rather minor like John Reed, a major comparison is made between Jane Eyre and Bertha Mason. As years went by, Bertha’s sanity slowly declined to the point where characters compare her to a demon since she has no sense of right or wrong plus she conflicts pain and suffering to others. Jane on the other hand, keeps her madness within her feelings and emotions because she debates different situations in her head, comparing how different decisions could bring about different situations. Once Rochester reveals to Jane he is married to Bertha, Rochester places significant emphasis on the differences between both women “Wood and Briggs, look at the difference! Compare these clear eyes with the red balls yonder…” (Bronte 251).

      To make the situation worse, the mentally ill were treated as if they were animals. As a result, it is not surprising to see Bertha locked in her own cage, the third floor of Thornfield, where she is to remain for the rest of her life. After being locked away for years on end, Bertha’s mental state continued to decline to the point where characters have a difficult time distinguishing if she is a human or animal “…a figure ran backwards and forwards. What it was, whether beast or human being, one could not, at first sight tell” (Bronte 338). Not only did Bertha have poor treatment in life, but also felt no sympathy in death. When Bertha commits suicide during the burning of Thornfield, the description of her death is stated with no emotion or sympathy. Due to Bertha’s mental instability, the treatment she faced during her life time was considered justified during the Victorian Era.

Works Cited

Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. New York: Penguin Group, 1847. Print.