Jane Eyre: Passion/Rationality

Hey guys, I finally got around to reading Jane Eyre – it’s probably not an exaggeration to say that it is one of the most compelling love stories/feminist epic I’ve ever read. Anyway, I have a question regarding the tension between passion/rationality, desire/morals (or however you want to frame it), which is clearly the novel's key focus. Of course, with Rochester we see a lack of emotional regulation; a type of personality where passion is the main driving force that tends to overcome his rational faculties. With St. John, we see the other end of the spectrum with his extreme emotional regulation. To the point that his rational faculties completely suppress any worldly passions due to his utmost devotion to his religious cause. Although this tension is still present with Jane, especially prior to her marriage to Rochester, rather than occupying one of the extreme ends of the spectrum, she seems to strike the perfect balance between passion and rationality. She is still capable of passion, but also contains enough willpower to not allow her passions to derail her rationality/morals completely.

Was Bronte attempting to communicate with this character that Jane’s temperament is the ideal? A temperament that balances these two faculties without succumbing to the extremities of Rochester and St. John?