Jane Eyre

answer this question

Jane Eyre Question

Why does Mr. Rochester so often call Jane 'Janet' in the book?

At first I thought it was a typing error, but upon further meditation, it appears too frequently to be put down to a mere mistake - and Adele too; there are a couple instances where Mrs. Fairfax refers to her as 'Miss Adela.' Is this an error? Or is it a kind of nineteenth century endearment, or nickname of some kind? Or have I just completely missed the point?
 littlelemon posted over a year ago
next question »

Jane Eyre Answers

ancymonek said:
Well, Jane taught also French to Mr Rochester's ward, and "my dear Jane, my little Jane" in French is Jeannette; Janet in undoubtedly its English version. Voila!
 select as best answer
posted over a year ago 
janetsmalone said:
Janet is an English nickname for Jane, like someone named Elizabeth being called Lizzie
 select as best answer
posted over a year ago 
firstintime said:
"Janet" was a diminutive for "Jane" that was in wide use before Janet sort of split off and became a name in its own right. So it is a form of endearment when Rochester calls Jane "Janet." As for Adele, she is French and Adele is a French name - Mrs. Fairfax is anglicizing it when she calls her "Adela."
select as best answer
posted over a year ago 
next question »
Cookies help us bring you Fanpop. By using Fanpop, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More Got It!