Timeless Themes

“The Reason”, by Hoobastank, has a number of parallels with Jane Eyre. One of these connections between the two is found in the first two lines, “I’m not a perfect person, there’s many things I wish I didn’t do.” As Mr. Rochester narrated to Jane, he had a past full of things which he regrets. His relationship with Celine Varens, and its twisted end, is surely one thing that has left a sort of dark mark in his past. It makes one wonder though, what else about him does he regret? What secrets in his mysterious past are inching their way out of the shadows?

Another connection between Jane Eyre and “The Reason” is the last four lines of “The Reason.” The lines say, “I’ve found a reason to show a side of me you didn’t know a reason for all that I do. And that reason is you.” Mr. Rochester finds it easy to confide in Jane with the story of his past. He also tells her that she has the countenance of someone who people tell their secrets to.

A song that I think has parallels that can be drawn from it is “Just so You Know.” Lines such as “I shouldn’t love you but I want to,” “I won’t sit around,” and “I’ve tried my best to let go of you” describe Jane’s reaction to hearing that Mr. Rochester will be visiting some friends and attending a party. She then scolds herself for getting attached to him and reminds herself of her position in his life. She also compares herself to Blanche Ingram, an accomplished lady who will attend the party as well. But, just like that lines “I just can’t turn away” say, she was still left with her suppressed, but calmer, feelings afterwards.

Jesse McCartney- Just so You Know
I shouldn't love you but I want to
I just can't turn away
I shouldn't see you but I can't move
I can't look away

I shouldn't love you but I want to
I just can't turn away
I shouldn't see you but I can't move
I can't look away

And I don't know how to be fine when I'm not
'Cause I don't know how to make a feeling stop

[Chorus:]
Just so you know
This feeling's taking control of me
And I can't help it
I won't sit around, I can't let him win now
Thought you should know
I've tried my best to let go of you
But I don't want to
I just gotta say it all
Before I go
Just so you know

It's getting hard to be around you
There's so much I can't say
Do you want me to hide the feelings
And look the other way

And I don't know how to be fine when I'm not
'Cause I don't know how to make a feeling stop

[Chorus]

This emptiness is killing me
And I'm wondering why I've waited so long
Looking back I realize
It was always there just never spoken
I'm waiting here...been waiting here

[Chorus]

Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. New York: New American Library, 2008. Print.