Outside
of scripture, my favorite book in all the word is the famous volume by
Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre.
Bronte pulled so much of the story from
her, and her sisters’ personal experiences. The early 1800’s were extremely
hard on the average student of that day. Many were sent away to boarding
schools, where sanitary conditions were dismal, and thousands died of Typhus
and Tuberculosis. In the book, poor Helen Burns succumbs to a lingering
illness, and Jane is heartbroken at the loss of her best friend.
But as all little girls do, Jane grew up.
It was a enlightening, and challenging
life for a young adult who’d been cloistered throughout her entire childhood,
and adolescent years. She was thrown into “high society” in the course of a
moment, but admirably played the part of governess to little Adele; a
precocious French child.
But then things begin to fall apart. Mr.
Rochester, Jane’s employer, falls madly in love with his employee. Unbeknownst
to Jane, he is a married man; married to a psychotic wife, who lives in the
attic of the expansive chateau.
In an age when such stories were
considered almost scandalous, Jane finds herself betrothed to Mr. Rochester.
‘Til on her wedding day, she learns the truth. She runs.
It’s seems that Charlotte Bronte based
the relational triangle on an emotional attachment she developed during studies
in France. Charlotte had fallen madly in love with her married professor.
Existing records tend to imply that he never “returned the favor.”
When I read this lurid tale of intrigue, I
remember a similar episode, written thousands of years earlier. Turn to Genesis
Chapter 39. Read the tale of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife. Tempted though he was,
(for who can deny the lady was a “real knockout,”) he acted on what was an
already pre-planned decision. He also ran. As a counselor, I have been privy to the results of lurid attachments between opposite-gender, "married to someone else" people.
It is never pretty, though perhaps
momentarily exciting and convenient.
And I have seen how difficult it is for
such people to detach from each
other, even after what I call Discovery. Spouses are placed on the back burner,
children are neglected in favor of new priorities.
I can only suggest a couple of curious
words found in that wonderful book with which we began.
Consider.
Reflect. My friend, it’s never
worth it.
No comments:
Post a Comment