In the scene before Jane met Mr. Rochester at Thornfield, Bronte had Jane help him after falling off his horse and spraining his ankle. At this time Jane did not know who he was, but Mr. Rochester figured out her identity when asking her where she lived and who she worked for. Why did Bronte add this impromptu meeting into the story?
I believe this scene was added into the story to show the developing chemistry between Mr. Rochester and Jane. Even before they were both properly introduced to each other the reader could sense the growing relationship between them. Jane said that she would not normally help a random man but that she was compelled to help him, even after Mr. Rochester told her he was fine.
I thought of this scene as Mr. Rochester being a knight in shining armour riding towards Jane until he ends up getting hurt. Usually it would have been a man saving the girl from trouble, but in this case it was the girl saving the man. I think Bronte had them meet in this way because at first it shows Mr. Rochester as a romantic character until Jane actually talks to him and realizes that he is far from romantic.
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