Originally Posted by Karen 21st January 2006


Much has been said and written about the difficult relationship between Rochester's mother and his wife, Elizabeth. Why do you think he bound the two together in the matter of his son's guardianship after his death?

Deppraved


The answer that leaps to my mind- my gut reaction - is that Rochester hoped that joint custody would serve to reconcile his mother and wife in the united effort and responsiblities of raising his son. I'm sure he felt his son needed both women in his life. It must have been a leap of faith to trust they would work things out to honor his wishes.

Hibblette


He could have been thinking the qood qualities of each would balance out each other.

Banana


I just finished reading this book 2 days ago, so I'm late joining the discussions, but here's my 2 cents worth anyway.....

Why did Rochester's mother so dislike his wife Elizabeth? Rochester was an only child, so was it that no woman would ever be good enough for her precious boy? Would his mother have preferred that Rochester marry someone else? Or did she criticize Elizabeth in a well-meaning attempt to help her achieve perfection and therefore enhance her son's position?

But the question posed here is why were the 2 bound together after Rochester's death? Instinct tells me that these were the only 2 women who truly loved Rochester, unconditionally, and the only 2 women who stuck by him through all his escapades and banishments and outrageous behavior. Each was bound to him by heredity and by marriage, so the tie would be passed on to his son. Irregardless of their personal differences, both women would stand by the family offspring. Having them both as guardians would simply insure that his son would be protected and cared for by both mother and grandmother. And Rochester did seem to care deeply for his children.

Mairimaih


my instinct is far more charitable to Rochester than most biographies have been to him.. and partly are influenced by Burnets account.. I think Rocheater knew.. as Burnet said' that he had given his wife a fatal illness.. the pox, she died a year after him and had consulted chemists often, a fact she told Rochester in letters to him.. as he told her of his taking the cure,..I think both knew her fate..she would not be around to raise them, if she remarried her husband would own her wealth and be able to take it away from her and Rochesters children, I think he wanted to guard against that.. he knew his mother would survive both him and his wife.. and so set her as guardian too.. as he knew she fiercely and stubbornly fought her childrens rights.. and would be trusted to do so for her Grandchildren.. however his relationship was strained with her in life.. he knew she would be definatly stuck to a cause for his children.. and so wrote his will with that in mind