Summary
The Mystery of the Third Floor
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Jane is awakened in the middle of the night by a terrifying scream that pierces through Thornfield Hall. The cry comes from the third floor, followed by sounds of struggle and desperate calls for Rochester's help. The entire household is roused, with guests running about in confusion and terror, demanding to know what has happened. Rochester appears with a candle, having descended from the upper floor, and calmly dismisses the incident as merely a servant having a nightmare. He manages to persuade all the guests to return to their rooms, claiming that an excitable servant had a bad dream and took a fit from fright. However, Jane is not convinced by this explanation. She knows the sounds she heard were real and came from directly above her room. Rather than returning to bed, she dresses carefully and waits by her window, sensing that more events will follow. After the house settles back into silence, Rochester quietly summons Jane from her room. He leads her up to the mysterious third floor, asking her to bring a sponge and smelling salts. When he asks if she can bear the sight of blood, Jane realizes she is about to witness something serious. Rochester unlocks one of the small black doors on the third floor, revealing a room Jane had seen before but which now has a concealed door standing open. From within comes the sound of Grace Poole's distinctive laughter. Rochester briefly enters the inner room to make some arrangement with Grace Poole, then emerges and leads Jane to the other side of a large bed. There, in an easy chair, sits the mysterious stranger Mason, pale and seemingly lifeless, with his clothing and arm soaked in blood. Rochester begins to tend to Mason's wounds, asking Jane to assist him by holding the candle and basin.
Coming Up in Chapter 21
Presentiments are strange things! and so are sympathies; and so are signs; and the three combined make one mystery to which humanity has not yet found the key. I never laughed at presentiments in my l
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An excerpt from the original text.(~396 words)
Had forgotten to draw my curtain, which I usually did, and also to let down my window-blind. The consequence was, that when the moon, which was full and bright (for the night was fine), came in her course to that space in the sky opposite my casement, and looked in at me through the unveiled panes, her glorious gaze roused me. Awaking in the dead of night, I opened my eyes on her disk—silver-white and crystal clear. It was beautiful, but too solemn: I half rose, and stretched my arm to draw th Jane is awakened in the middle of the night by a terrifying scream that pierces through Thornfield Hall. The cry comes from the third floor, followed by sounds of struggle and desperate calls for Rochester's help. The entire household is roused, with guests running about in confusion and terror, demanding to know what has happened. Rochester appears with a candle, having descended from the upper floor, and calmly dismisses the incident as merely a servant having a nightmare. He manages to persuade all the guests to return to their rooms, claiming that an excitable servant had a bad dream and took a fit from fright. However, Jane is not convinced by this explanation. She knows the sounds she heard were real and came from directly above her room. Rather than returning to bed, she dresses carefully and waits by her window, sensing that more events will follow. After the house settles back into silence, Rochester quietly summons Jane from her room. He leads her up to the mysterious third floor, asking her to bring a sponge and smelling salts. When he asks if she can bear the sight of blood, Jane realizes she is about to witness something serious. Rochester unlocks one of the small black doors on the third floor, revealing a room Jane had seen before but which now has a concealed door standing open. From within comes the sound of Grace Poole's distinctive laughter. Rochester briefly enters the inner room to make some arrangement with Grace Poole, then emerges and leads Jane to the other side of a large bed. There, in an easy chair, sits the mysterious stranger Mason, pale and seemingly lifeless, with his clothing and arm soaked in blood. Rochester begins to tend to Mason's wounds, asking Jane to assist him by holding the candle and basin.
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
Literary Insight
This chapter explores how those in power control narratives and how individuals must choose between comfortable lies and uncomfortable truths
Today's Relevance
In our age of information manipulation and institutional cover-ups, Jane's skepticism toward authority figures and her commitment to uncovering truth remains highly relevant
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Gothic atmosphere
The eerie, mysterious mood created through supernatural elements, darkness, and unexplained events
Red herring
A false clue or misleading explanation designed to divert attention from the truth
Foreshadowing
Literary technique where hints or clues suggest future events in the story
Characters in This Chapter
Jane Eyre
Narrator and protagonist
Shows courage and intuition, recognizing Rochester's deception while remaining loyal
Edward Rochester
Master of Thornfield
Demonstrates his skill at manipulation while revealing his dependence on Jane's discretion
Richard Mason
Mysterious visitor
The injured stranger whose presence at Thornfield suggests dangerous secrets
Grace Poole
Enigmatic servant
Her presence in the third floor room confirms her connection to the mysterious incidents
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Good God! What a cry!"
Context: Jane's reaction to the terrifying scream that shatters the night's silence
"It's a mere rehearsal of Much Ado about Nothing"
Context: Rochester's dismissive explanation to calm his panicked guests
"You don't turn sick at the sight of blood?"
Context: Rochester's question to Jane before revealing Mason's injuries
Thematic Threads
Truth vs. Deception
In This Chapter
Development
In Your Life:
When have you discovered that someone you trusted was hiding something significant from you, and how did it change your relationship with them?
Social Class
In This Chapter
Development
In Your Life:
Have you ever felt like you didn't belong in a social or professional setting because of your background or economic status?
Independence
In This Chapter
Development
In Your Life:
What's a situation where you had to choose between your personal values and keeping the peace with someone you care about?
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Jane immediately distrust Rochester's explanation about the servant's nightmare?
- 2
What does Rochester's ability to calm his guests reveal about his social skills and the power of class privilege?
- 3
How does Brontë use Gothic elements to create suspense while advancing the plot?
Critical Thinking Exercise
Analyze the power dynamics in this chapter. Consider how Rochester uses his authority to control the narrative, how the guests' social position affects their response, and how Jane's lower status paradoxically gives her clearer insight into the truth.
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 21: Presentiments and Painful News
As the story unfolds, you'll explore uses supernatural elements and omens to create atmospheric tension, while uncovering jane's recurring dreams and their connection to family tragedy. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.