In the novel ‘Jane Eyre’, Bronte presents the relationship between Jane and Rochester in three main ways. Their relationship is presented as one that is constantly evolving and dynamic as well as one that defies social norms. It is also presented as one that is intellectually stimulating. Bronte then uses their relationship to criticise the classes and gender stereotypes of the 19th century. One way Bronte presents the relationship between Jane and Rochester is as constantly evolving, from their first discussion at Thornfield to the end of the book. Their first discussion at Thornfield consisted of entirely foolish talk about ‘the men in green’, but as they interact more throughout the book, their conversations become deeper, more open and meaningful. The evolution of their discussions also represents the evolution of their relationship and their feelings for each other. For example. For example, in the extract, they weren’t very close, so their conversation was superficial and joke-like. However, in Chapter 14, where they are more comfortable with each other their discussions become more open and Rochester asks for Jane’s opinion on his character and asks her if he can change from ‘India-rubber back to flesh’. Rochester asking for Jane’s opinion shows that he values it, and her as a companion. It also subtly suggests that Rochester is hoping that Jane can aid him in that transformation, showing that he has more feelings for her than he is letting on. There are also other obstacles for Jane and Rochester to overcome, which lead to their constant change. For example, Jane’s upright Christian morals. Jane describes Rochester later on as ‘an eclipse [that] intervenes between man and the broad sun’. The metaphor suggests that the sun (God) ‘s light (purity) is being blocked by Rochester (the eclipse) as he is full of sin and therefore tempting Jane into sin as well. Another struggle that causes a pivotal change in their relationship is Bertha (Mr Rochester’s wife). When Jane finds out about Bertha’s marriage to Mr Rochester, she refuses to marry him because she does not want to live her life in sin (another link to her religious morals) and instead leaves Mr Rochester. However, when they fix their relationship at the end of the book, their bond is much stronger, and much more stable as they have overcome a major obstacle in their relationship and have learned from it. Overall, Jane and Rochester’s evolving relationship shows how much they are willing to change for each other and adapt to meet each other's needs, which proves the extent of their love for one another. Another way Bronte presents their relationship is as one that defies societal norms. At the beginning of their relationship, Jane works under Rochester as the governess of his ward Adele. A romantic relationship between them at that point in her life would have never worked because of the gaping differences in their background and position. Jane is an independent woman with a soul ‘made of fire’, so a relationship where she was dependent on someone else would have never worked. However, at the end of the novel, when Jane and Rochester are closer to equals, they are able to reform their relationship, as they are both independent and able to be themselves. At the time, women were considered ‘property’ of their husbands and anything they owned would be transferred to their husband after marriage. An independent woman in the 19th century would have been mocked. Jane being so independent and passionate is one way the relationship between her and Rochester defies societal norms. Another way their relationship defies societal norms is the reversed gender roles. During their first meeting before Thornfield, Rochester falls off his horse, and Jane is the one helping him. Later on in the novel, when Bertha sets fire to Rochester’s room, it is Jane who saves him. Conventionally, it was the ‘knight in shining armour’ or the strong male protector that saved the ‘damsel in distress’ or fragile lady from harm. By reversing the stereotypes, Bronte not only displays Jane and Rochester’s relationship as one that is different to the norm at the time, but she also clearly displays her own feminist views; that a woman should not be dependent on a man soley because she is a woman, and that a woman can do anything a man can do. Bronte further creates this image through Rochester’s show of emotion at the end where his words ‘almost tremble on his lips’. This display of emotion shows vulnerability, which was a feeling only associated with women and not men in the 19th century. A final way Bronte presents Jane and Rochester’s relationship is as one that is intellectually stimulating for both of them. Both characters are intelligent and need a partner that is equally intelligent as that appeals to their need to have an equal. This is clearly shown when Rochester proposes to Jane, and says “My bride is here…because my equal is here”. This need for an equal is the main reason a relationship between Rochester and Blanche Ingram could have never worked out, no matter how socially suited she was for him.Becaus she was not intelligent, she did not provide Rochester with the mental stimulation he required, which meant that he was simply not interested in her.However, because Jane was intelligent, it didn’t matter that she was ‘poor, obscure, plain and little’ or not from the right ‘caste’ because they fulfilled each other’s needs for an intellectual equal. This is further shown in the extract when Rochester and Jane were discussing ‘the men in green’. Although the subject is silly, they both enjoy it becaus ethey are being stimulated intellectually. Bronte uses thins aspect of their relationship to criticise the societal norms and class divides of the 19th century. She makes it clear that such superficial marriages of convenience would never end up successful and happy because neither of the partners would be stimulated intellectually. In conclusion, Charlotte Bronte presents the relationship between Jane and Mr Rochester as constantly evolving, intellectually stimulating and one that defies societal norms throughout the novel. She highlights the obstacles that they go through as tools to help their relationship to strengthen, and also points out the different does not always mean bad. Bronte also uses their relationship to criticise the class divides and gender stereotypes of the 19th century.