Italy is significant to Jane Eyre because it is where Celine, Mr. Rochester's estranged lover, travels off to, leaving Adele in the care of him alone. This information comes from Chapter 15 of Jane Eyre, when Mr. Rochester tells this story to Jane. This location illustrates the limits of first-person narration because Jane Eyre does not know the significance of Italy to Mr. Rochester, and the location is only associated with the negative implications of Celine. Mapping this location on COVE reveals how the novel's narrow first-person view shapes what we do and don't see of this place, because the entire country of Italy is relegated to a negative place where hurtful people run to and is since used as a shorthand for that idea. That really sucks, considering Italy (shown below) is really beautiful, with many gorgeous coastlines and historic landmarks to explore!
Research: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/ultimate-ways-to-see-italy
Image: https://rtwin30days.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Riomaggiore-Italy-Cinque-Terre.jpg.webp
