Allusion~Bible
"'Now King Ahasuerus!'"(230) Here Jane is alluding to the bible. King Ahasuerus was a wealthy man who to make Esther is wife affered her half of his kingdom (The Book of Ester 5:3). Jane calls Mr. Rochester this because in his quest to figure out what she wants, he offers her half of his esate. Mostly Jane is appaled by this idea that he thinks heer to only want his money. she goes on to say '"Do you think I am a Jew-usuer, seeking good investment in land?'"(230). Esther was in fact a Jewish woman seeking investment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
It might also be significant that Esther becomes Ahasuerus's queen after his original wife, Vashti, is dismissed when she disrespectfully refuses to come when she is summoned. Jane in this chapter has extensively questioned whether Rochester's affection for her will last long after they are married, or whether his love will "effervesce after six months" and he could potentially dismiss or lose interest in her, so the allusion to Ahasuerus is even more appropriate.
ReplyDelete