The Love Story in Jane Eyre - A Genuine Romance?

Resumen o Introducción

The relationship between Jane Eyre and Edward Fairfax Rochester plays a major part in the novel of Jane Eyre, as Rochester turns out to be the love of Jane's life. At first she finds him rather impolite and cold-hearted, but soon they become kindred souls. When Rochester tries to secure her in a bigamous marriage, he forces Jane to leave him. While Rochester falls victim to his wife, Jane becomes an independent heiress. When in the end they are reunited, the power structure of their relationship has been inverted. Rochester has to learn to depend on Jane, who in the meantime had to realize that she can only truly be happy living with her master.
The story of Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester has often been read as a model for the genre of romance. There are two lovers who must overcome certain obstacles to be reunited in the end and live happily ever after. Such a genuine romance is the product of two lovers who both choose their partner by their own free will. They choose to be with one another because of their feelings for each other and not for other reasons like money, social status or just mere passion. But Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester couldn't be more different regarding their financial situations and social backgrounds. What is more, there is a big difference in their age and also in their intentions. For these reasons I wish to challenge the assumption that this is a genuine romance.