Jane Eyre - of Fire and Ice

Robert Frost once wrote 


Fire and Ice 

Thank you elfwood.com for the image

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice. 


After watching the new Focus Features version of Jane Eyre, I see so clearly how men are either fire or ice. No warming baths, no gentle pools, straight up fire, or freezing ice. 

On the continuum of men, we find passionate girls, like Jane, are full out soul in love with men of fire, Mr. Rochester, who are passionate and completely and utterly bad for us. Married in a hurry, temperamental, morose, extravagant when need be, and prone to rudeness, these men sweep us up into the maelstrom of their world and when we need to leave, it's almost impossible to get the smoky smell out of our clothes and hair. 

Ice-Ice-Baby, on the other hand, Saint John Rivers wants to marry Jane because of her extravagant gifts and how useful she'd be in India. He needs her to let go of her passions and make a rational marriage by choosing him. 


I often think about marriages of convenience and how only certain types of people can maintain them. 


I often think of the English metaphor of "spending yourself" or "wasting yourself" or "disposing of yourself" in marriage. Usually Americans don't think of marriage as a way to be "used", although, perhaps that metaphor isn't a bad way to think about it since marriage does take a lot of energy and commitment. 


I think, however, for the purposes of this post, I'll side with Robert Frost... first marriage for passion, second one for my "usefullness" (note I didn't say usefullness in what...)