Mr. Rochester embodies the three Victorian male ideals: strength, finances (wealth), and societal class standing.

STRENGTH

Bertha: Physically sretrains Bertha; this takes away not only Bertha’s autonomy, but her freedom.

“He could have settled her with a well-planted blow” (Brontë 342). 

Adèle: Restrains Adèle from his affection, leaves her alone for long periods, and doesn’t surround her with people who speak her language, French.

“Mr. Rochester asked me if I would like to go and live with him in England, and I said yes; for I knew Mr. Rochester. . .and he was always kind to me and gave me pretty dresses and toys; but you see he has not kept his word, for he has brought me to England, and now he has gone back again himself, and I never see him” (Brontë 122).

Jane: Restrains Jane through not revealing that he is still married; therefore, not truly allowing her the chance to live a happy life with him.

“What this lawyer and his client say is true; I have been married; and the woman to whom I was married lives!” (Brontë 240).

Mr. Rochester uses his strength against their weakness.

FINANCE AND SOCIETAL CLASS STANDING

Mr. Rochester uses his money and social standing as a means to justify what he does to these women.

Bertha: He is only able to successfully hide Bertha away through his money. He pays off anyone who knows of her.

“No—by God! I took care that none should hear of it--or of her under that name” (Brontë 340). For Adèle it is a lack of affection.

Adèle: She is not his biological child therefore he owes nothing to her.

“I am not fond of the prattle of children. . .It would be intolerable to me to pass a whole evening tete a tete with a brat” (Brontë 155).

Jane: Mr. Rochester hurts Jane because he thinks he is invincible. He tries to marry Jane while still being married to Bertha. Once Jane learns the truth of his marriage he then plays the victim in order to use Jane’s emotions against her.

“You must have a strange opinion of me; you must regard me as a plotting profiliage—a base and low rake, who has been simulating disinterested love in order to draw you into a snare deliberately laid, and stirp you of honor, and rob you of self-respect. What do you say to that?” (Brontë 349-350).

UNBALANCED GENDER ROLES

Mr. Rochester thrives in his toxic masculinity as a result of his privilege and unbalanced gender roles. He uses his strength to lock away Bertha, keep Adèle isolated, and exert physical dominance over Jane. Rochester's finance (wealth) and high societal standing allow for him to get away with locking Bertha away, having complete control over Adèle, and preventing Jane from a true happy marriage. This representation of an ideal man leveraging the unbalanced gender roles only served to reinforce Victorian toxic masculinity.