Phosphates In Jane Eyre

Wouldn’t John want to be there to make sure she doesn’t get too depressed. If you are so depressed that you have to leave your home to a vacation home, then in my opinion you shouldn’t and don’t want to be left alone. She mentions that had a rope in her room at the very end. She could have more fatal intentions with it than what she first says. Jane says, “I am getting angry enough to do something desperate. To jump out of the window would be admirable exercise, but the bars are to strong even to try.” (538) To me this reads that she has suicidal tendencies which is very common in people with psychological problems. She mentions that she, “cry(s) at nothing, and cry most of the time.” (534) but she never cries when John is around. But then on another note. If he is a physician then why is he sleeping in her room, in her bed? From what I remember, it never mentions them kissing or anything intimate, but why does he sometimes sleep with her?

In the beginning of the story Jane mentions that she takes, “Phosphates or phosphites, whichever it is- and tonics.” Which according to Medline Plus, phosphates are salts (that) are taken by mouth for treating blood phosphate levels that are too low and blood calcium levels that are too high, and for preventing kidney stones.” (Medline Plus) This to me sounds like a vitamin. Maybe John is giving her unnecessary medicine trying to keep her there. Maybe he has fallen for her as well. Mental distress or not these characters are very strange.
There have been other blogs and discussion boards that talk about this aspect of “The Yellow Wallpaper.” For example “Kyle’s Blog.” On this page they discuss the connection between the story and the film Shutter Island. Even if it is not a scholarly source it is kind of nice to know that we are not the only ones to have these theories. Kyle and his commentators also discuss the use of the barred windows, the rings, and that John may not be Jane’s