re: mild objection
Posted by Sherry on October 16, 1997 at 11:27:33:
In response to Ethos of suffering, written by Erin on October 15, 1997 at 21:17:32
Now let me welcome you with mild objection. ;-)
Nice to see you too! :-) But of course!
I think you're correct to point out the idea of suffering-brings-redemption and apply it to both Jane and Rochester --they share a certain poignancy of experience, which has re-forged their selves into an union.
Yes redemption but I would like to add strength,courage and confidence.
Yet, I also believe that we (as individuals) can't change fundamentally what we are.
Therefore, when I consider the deformed, muted Rochester who marries Jane, I cannot accept a fundamental transformation. He still can be brutal. I may add that he has always carried the capacity to actualize the love and devotion has for Jane, however unwillingly his brutality surrenders it.
Yes, substance is more important than form. I believe Rochester's fundamental substance is not cruelty and selfishness but something fine and noble akin to Janes fundamental substance. He is lost and afraid and " fear is (this is Bertrand Russell, not me obviously ) one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom."
In short Rochester has found his way back to his fundamental self, is my point.
"But even Solomon says, 'the man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain, (ie., while living), 'in the congregation of the dead.'Give not thyself up then to fire lest it invert thee, deaden thee; as for the time it did me. There is a wisdom that is woe; but there is a woe that is madness"(Melville, Moby Dick)
To much of anything can be destructive.
The ethos of suffering can lead many to destruction rather than redemption. I think this is my problem with Romanticism in general.
It can also lead many to a greater wisdom, to come out on the other side, stronger and more confident which allows them to face the next test in life a little better. Perhaps not fundamentally changed in their substance but more able to find in that substance a bit more courage,strength and goodness than they ever realized was there.
Erin---- one day you will open my mind and my brains are gonna spill out!! ;-) Thanks, Sherry
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