Thornfield Hall

  • Thornfield Hall
  • Thornfield Hall

Before reading click here and press play for music from Thornfield Hall!


Thornfield Hall is a beautiful gothic house in the countryside. Surrounded by well-kept gardens and woods, this house is perfect for someone enjoys looking at nature as it has many windows. Thornfield has three stories with many rooms that hold the master of the house's secrets. This house is perfect for someone who loves mysteries and scary stories. Some people have reported that they can hear a strange laughter coming from the third floor at night. The imagery used to describe Thornfield is dark and eerie. Birds are "cawing," there is a "sunk fence," and there many "old thorn trees." Thornfield looks beautiful, but also has a dangerous and haunted quality about it.

"‘Yes, so, sir,’ I rejoined: ‘and yet not so; for you are a married man—or as good as a married man, and wed to one inferior to you—to one with whom you have no sympathy—whom I do not believe you truly love; for I have seen and heard you sneer at her. I would scorn such a union: therefore I am better than you—let me go!’"

Thornfield is very a symbolic name, because while Jane originally loves it there, she eventually realizes there are some secrets that were being hidden from her. Thornfield has a dark and sinister side, similar to thorns on a rose. It ultimately represents a time where Jane is not considered equal to the master of the house, Mr. Rochester. Rochester's wife, Bertha, is a symbol of how Victorian women have very little power and remain trapped inside their homes. Betha also is a symbol of what could happen to Jane if she had become Rochester's mistress. She would not have any respect or power, and would be completely reliant on Rochester. Jane's expectation for her ideal relationship is that she will be equal with her husband, which is why she must leave Thornfield and become independent. 

Adele Varens
Time Inc.; photograph by Walter Sanders [Public domain]

A review from past resident, Adele Varens:

"I absolutely loved living in Thornfield Hall! It is so grand and beautiful, and filled with gorgeous art and decor! I especially loved when Mr. Rochester returned from his travels, because he would bring me luxurious presents, like a brand new dress for me to wear. Sometimes Mr. Rochester would have guests over, which was always very exciting. These people were so elegant and dignified, and I would get to dress up and talk to them."