“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.”
This quote shows how Jane recognizes her own spirit throughout the book. She fights against the forces that try to quiet her voice again and again when she deals with her Aunt Reed, the people at Lowood, and society.
“I am glad you are no relation of mine. I will never call you aunt again as long as I live. I will never come to visit you when I am grown up; and if anyone asks me how I liked you, and how you treated me, I will say the very thought of you makes me sick, and that you treated me with miserable cruelty. . . . You think I have no feelings, and that I can do without one bit of love or kindness; but I cannot live so: and you have no pity... I will tell anybody who asks me questions this exact tale. ’Ere I had finished this reply, my soul began to expand, to exult, with the strangest sense of freedom, of triumph, I ever felt. It seemed as if an invisible bond had burst, and that I had struggled out into unhoped-for liberty” (Chapter 4)
In this passage Jane gets out her anger to her aunt Mrs. Reed. She feels a huge burden come off her chest. She feels a sense of triumph more than she has ever felt before. She also asserts her fiery spirit for the first time in the book. In her outburst a sense of recognition of her need for love shows up. This is an example of Jane’s inner “fire”- struggling against rules of society and opposition. It also demonstrates a driving motive behind her actions- she doesn’t like to be controlled, taken advantage of, or treated like a less valuable person than someone else.
In this passage Jane gets out her anger to her aunt Mrs. Reed. She feels a huge burden come off her chest. She feels a sense of triumph more than she has ever felt before. She also asserts her fiery spirit for the first time in the book. In her outburst a sense of recognition of her need for love shows up. This is an example of Jane’s inner “fire”- struggling against rules of society and opposition. It also demonstrates a driving motive behind her actions- she doesn’t like to be controlled, taken advantage of, or treated like a less valuable person than someone else.
“I can live alone if self-respect, and circumstances require me to do so. I need not sell my soul to buy bliss. I have an inward treasure born with me, which can keep me alive if all extraneous delights should be withheld, or offered only at a price I cannot afford to give.” (Beginning of Chapter 19)
“I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unstained I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad—as I am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation. . . . They have a worth—so I have always believed”
(Chapter 27)
These two quotes show how Jane’s self-respect and sense of moral right and wrong drive her to make “correct” choices, even if they make her physically or emotionally uncomfortable. This is the opposite of Mr. Rochester, who will break the rules to ensure his comfort, unlike Jane, who will sacrifice her comfort to follow the rules she sets for herself.
“I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unstained I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad—as I am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation. . . . They have a worth—so I have always believed”
(Chapter 27)
These two quotes show how Jane’s self-respect and sense of moral right and wrong drive her to make “correct” choices, even if they make her physically or emotionally uncomfortable. This is the opposite of Mr. Rochester, who will break the rules to ensure his comfort, unlike Jane, who will sacrifice her comfort to follow the rules she sets for herself.
“It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it... Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint, too absolute a stagnation, precisely as men would suffer; and it is narrow-minded in their more privileged fellow-creatures to say that they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting stockings, to playing on the piano and embroidering bags. It is thoughtless to condemn them, or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex.”
(Chapter 12)
This shows Jane’s anger with the way Victorian women were treated- as people who did not need as much excitement or interest in their lives, just because of what they look like. The way Jane realizes this and acts on it is a powerful theme throughout the book.
(Chapter 12)
This shows Jane’s anger with the way Victorian women were treated- as people who did not need as much excitement or interest in their lives, just because of what they look like. The way Jane realizes this and acts on it is a powerful theme throughout the book.
“Shall I?” I said briefly; and I looked at his features, beautiful in their harmony, but strangely formidable in their still severity; at his brow, commanding, but not open; at his eyes, bright and deep and searching, but never soft; at his tall imposing figure; and fancied myself in idea his wife. Oh! it would never do! As his curate, his comrade, all would be right: I would cross oceans with him in that capacity; toil under Eastern suns, in Asian deserts with him in that office; admire and emulate his courage and devotion and vigour: accommodate quietly to his masterhood; smile undisturbed at his ineradicable ambition... I should suffer often, no doubt, attached to him only in this capacity: my body would be under a rather stringent yoke, but my heart and mind would be free. I should still have my unblighted self to turn to: my natural unenslaved feelings with which to communicate in moments of loneliness. There would be recesses in my mind which would be only mine, to which he never came; and sentiments growing there, fresh and sheltered, which his austerity could never blight, nor his measured warrior-march trample down: but as his wife—at his side always, and always restrained, and always checked—forced to keep the fire of my nature continually low, to compel it to burn inwardly and never utter a cry, though the imprisoned flame consumed vital after vital—this would be unendurable.”
(Chapter 34)
In this excerpt from the novel, Jane expresses the enthusiasm and hesitation about St. John’s proposal to travel to India with him, but as his wife. Jane finds herself fighting the familiar battle of reason against feelings which led her to where she is now after she abandoned Mr. Rochester for the sake of human morals. She wants to go with St. John, but only as his friend. She sees going to India as a rare and fruitful opportunity to perform good deeds for other people while meeting her personal needs as well. Being confined to Gateshead, Lowood, and Thornfield was a sense of being caged for Jane because she didn't have as many opportunities as men because of the encouraged and unfair role of suppressed women in Victorian society.
(Chapter 34)
In this excerpt from the novel, Jane expresses the enthusiasm and hesitation about St. John’s proposal to travel to India with him, but as his wife. Jane finds herself fighting the familiar battle of reason against feelings which led her to where she is now after she abandoned Mr. Rochester for the sake of human morals. She wants to go with St. John, but only as his friend. She sees going to India as a rare and fruitful opportunity to perform good deeds for other people while meeting her personal needs as well. Being confined to Gateshead, Lowood, and Thornfield was a sense of being caged for Jane because she didn't have as many opportunities as men because of the encouraged and unfair role of suppressed women in Victorian society.
"If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust, the wicked people would have it all their own way: they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse. When we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure we should – so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again. […] I must dislike those who, whatever I do to please them, persist in disliking me; I must resist those who punish me unjustly. It is as natural as that I should love those who show me affection, or submit to punishment when I feel it is deserved." (Chapter 6)
Jane’s only 10 at the time, but she already knows she can’t stand it when people are mean to her without a reason or punish her more severely than she thinks they should. It’s interesting that this is exactly what she has to learn to do by the end of the book.
Jane’s only 10 at the time, but she already knows she can’t stand it when people are mean to her without a reason or punish her more severely than she thinks they should. It’s interesting that this is exactly what she has to learn to do by the end of the book.
“I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad – as I am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? [...] Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by: there I plant my foot.” (Chapter 27)
Jane’s in a situation where she has to choose between happiness and not following the rules, or sadness and keeping the rules she’s set for herself. Her inner sense of needing to obey rules wins out over her passion.
Jane’s in a situation where she has to choose between happiness and not following the rules, or sadness and keeping the rules she’s set for herself. Her inner sense of needing to obey rules wins out over her passion.
“I would always rather be happy than dignified.” (Chapter 34)
In this significant passage Jane is refusing to marry St. John Rivers and it creates tension between them. Jane learns that pride is not important when it comes to making yourself happy, the opposite of how St. John feels.
In this significant passage Jane is refusing to marry St. John Rivers and it creates tension between them. Jane learns that pride is not important when it comes to making yourself happy, the opposite of how St. John feels.
“Do you think that because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little that I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! I have as much soul as you, and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty, and much wealth, I should make it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even the mortal flesh; it is my spirit that addresses you spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God’s feet, equal – as we are!” (Chapter 22)
Throughout the book, Jane and Rochester talk about how plain and little Jane is. Here she says that even though she isn’t beautiful, her love for Rochester is still real, and she wishes she could make it harder for him to leave her.
Throughout the book, Jane and Rochester talk about how plain and little Jane is. Here she says that even though she isn’t beautiful, her love for Rochester is still real, and she wishes she could make it harder for him to leave her.
“No sight so sad as that of a naughty child," he began, "especially a naughty little girl. Do you know where the wicked go after death?"
"They go to hell," was my ready and orthodox answer.
"And what is hell? Can you tell me that?"
"A pit full of fire."
"And should you like to fall into that pit, and to be burning there forever?"
"No, sir."
"What must you do to avoid it?"
I deliberated a moment: my answer, when it did come was objectionable: "I must keep in good health and not die.”
(Chapter 4)
Jane is told that in order for her to be successful and not go to hell, she must act civilized and like a Victorian woman. She does not want to be dependent on a man and to have no impact on the world. She wants to be independent. Although Jane is a child when she says this, she doesn't say she should be good- she says she shouldn't die. This shows how Jane’s way of looking at things was very different from the way society expected young girls like her to think at that time.
"They go to hell," was my ready and orthodox answer.
"And what is hell? Can you tell me that?"
"A pit full of fire."
"And should you like to fall into that pit, and to be burning there forever?"
"No, sir."
"What must you do to avoid it?"
I deliberated a moment: my answer, when it did come was objectionable: "I must keep in good health and not die.”
(Chapter 4)
Jane is told that in order for her to be successful and not go to hell, she must act civilized and like a Victorian woman. She does not want to be dependent on a man and to have no impact on the world. She wants to be independent. Although Jane is a child when she says this, she doesn't say she should be good- she says she shouldn't die. This shows how Jane’s way of looking at things was very different from the way society expected young girls like her to think at that time.
“Reader, I married him.”
(Chapter 38)
This passage is at the very end of the book. Jane is a bit surprised with herself because of her very sudden actions but she knew that it was, what she was going to do all along. She loved Rochester and wanted to marry him but couldn't because she did not want to live off of him. She was finally independent after inheriting a fortune and making her own decisions, and at this point Rochester was more reliant on her than she was on him.
(Chapter 38)
This passage is at the very end of the book. Jane is a bit surprised with herself because of her very sudden actions but she knew that it was, what she was going to do all along. She loved Rochester and wanted to marry him but couldn't because she did not want to live off of him. She was finally independent after inheriting a fortune and making her own decisions, and at this point Rochester was more reliant on her than she was on him.
"If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust, the wicked people would have it all their own way: they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse. When we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure we should – so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again. […] I must dislike those who, whatever I do to please them, persist in disliking me; I must resist those who punish me unjustly. It is as natural as that I should love those who show me affection, or submit to punishment when I feel it is deserved."
(Chapter 6)
Jane’s only 10 at the time, but she already knows she can’t stand it when people are mean to her without a reason or punish her more severely than she thinks they should. It’s interesting that this is exactly what she has to learn to do by the end of the book.
(Chapter 6)
Jane’s only 10 at the time, but she already knows she can’t stand it when people are mean to her without a reason or punish her more severely than she thinks they should. It’s interesting that this is exactly what she has to learn to do by the end of the book.
“I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad – as I am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? [...] Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by: there I plant my foot.”
(Chapter 27)
Jane’s in a situation where she has to choose between happiness and not following the rules, or sadness and keeping the rules she’s set for herself. Her inner sense of needing to obey rules wins out over her passion.
(Chapter 27)
Jane’s in a situation where she has to choose between happiness and not following the rules, or sadness and keeping the rules she’s set for herself. Her inner sense of needing to obey rules wins out over her passion.
"Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! — I have as much soul as you — and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh: it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God's feet, equal — as we are!”
(Chapter 26)
This passage shows Jane’s feelings towards how a woman should be looked at. She rightfully believes that each gender is equal, that she is not a poor woman born to marry a wealthy man, that she is just as human as Rochester is himself. It pains her to leave Rochester, but she knows that she must leave him if she is not to become a Victorian woman.
(Chapter 26)
This passage shows Jane’s feelings towards how a woman should be looked at. She rightfully believes that each gender is equal, that she is not a poor woman born to marry a wealthy man, that she is just as human as Rochester is himself. It pains her to leave Rochester, but she knows that she must leave him if she is not to become a Victorian woman.
Bessie, when she heard this narrative, sighed and said, "Poor Miss Jane is to be pitied, too, Abbot."
"Yes," responded Abbot, "if she were a nice, pretty child, one might compassionate her forlornness; but one really cannot care for such a little toad as that."
"Not a great deal, to be sure," agreed Bessie: "at any rate a beauty like Miss Georgiana would be more moving in the same condition."
"Yes, I doat on Miss Georgiana!" cried the fervent Abbot. "Little darling! – with her long curls and her blue eyes, and such a sweet colour as she has; just as if she were painted!"
(Chapter 3)
There was even more bias towards the appearance of a person back in the Victorian era, than in the present day. Here, this quote demonstrates the acceptation of cruel acts when the face of beauty commits them. Where in Jane’s case, where she is not as beautiful, she is too harshly punished for something she didn't do. This can also be seen when John Reed beats Jane, when there is no one to witness that he actually did it and instead of him receiving the punishment he deserves, Jane is blamed instead. Jane grows up having to accept this unfair concept and repeatedly brings up the fact that in her world, beauty is of little consequence.
"Yes," responded Abbot, "if she were a nice, pretty child, one might compassionate her forlornness; but one really cannot care for such a little toad as that."
"Not a great deal, to be sure," agreed Bessie: "at any rate a beauty like Miss Georgiana would be more moving in the same condition."
"Yes, I doat on Miss Georgiana!" cried the fervent Abbot. "Little darling! – with her long curls and her blue eyes, and such a sweet colour as she has; just as if she were painted!"
(Chapter 3)
There was even more bias towards the appearance of a person back in the Victorian era, than in the present day. Here, this quote demonstrates the acceptation of cruel acts when the face of beauty commits them. Where in Jane’s case, where she is not as beautiful, she is too harshly punished for something she didn't do. This can also be seen when John Reed beats Jane, when there is no one to witness that he actually did it and instead of him receiving the punishment he deserves, Jane is blamed instead. Jane grows up having to accept this unfair concept and repeatedly brings up the fact that in her world, beauty is of little consequence.
"He is not to them what he is to me," I thought: "he is not of their kind. I believe he is of mine; – I am sure he is, – I feel akin to him, – I understand the language of his countenance and movements: though rank and wealth sever us widely, I have something in my brain and heart, in my blood and nerves, that assimilates me mentally to him. […] I must, then, repeat continually that we are forever sundered: – and yet, while I breathe and think I must love him."
(Chapter 17)
Nowadays, the admittance to loving another person is just merely a step in a relationship. In Jane Eyre’s time, people hardly cared whether they loved the person they were engaged to,because it was usually a matter of wealth or maintaining social standing. This was an important change in Jane’s perspective. She had found it almost impossible to have action in her life while being confined to one house or one job and thus, has never had the opportunity to seek equality in a man. It was hard enough to even find a man that was open-minded enough to grasp the elusive concept of equality between men and women during that time.
(Chapter 17)
Nowadays, the admittance to loving another person is just merely a step in a relationship. In Jane Eyre’s time, people hardly cared whether they loved the person they were engaged to,because it was usually a matter of wealth or maintaining social standing. This was an important change in Jane’s perspective. She had found it almost impossible to have action in her life while being confined to one house or one job and thus, has never had the opportunity to seek equality in a man. It was hard enough to even find a man that was open-minded enough to grasp the elusive concept of equality between men and women during that time.
"If all the world hated you, and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved you, and absolved you from guilt, you would not be without friends."
"No: I know I should think well of myself; but that is not enough: if others don’t love me, I would rather die than live – I cannot bear to be solitary and hated, Helen."
(Chapter 8)
Jane learns of self-acceptance and the paramount ideas of ethics and staying true to yourself but also admits to wanting the acceptance of others. Helen argues that as long as you accept yourself even when others don’t, you can find all the happiness you needed within your own perspective. But Jane knows what it’s like to be hated because of your unchanging identity. Jane had never changed her opinion about this. Even after her graduation from Lowood School she was unhappy living a quiet, solitary life, even at Thornfield.
"No: I know I should think well of myself; but that is not enough: if others don’t love me, I would rather die than live – I cannot bear to be solitary and hated, Helen."
(Chapter 8)
Jane learns of self-acceptance and the paramount ideas of ethics and staying true to yourself but also admits to wanting the acceptance of others. Helen argues that as long as you accept yourself even when others don’t, you can find all the happiness you needed within your own perspective. But Jane knows what it’s like to be hated because of your unchanging identity. Jane had never changed her opinion about this. Even after her graduation from Lowood School she was unhappy living a quiet, solitary life, even at Thornfield.
"A new servitude! There is something in that," I soliloquized (mentally, be it understood; I did not talk aloud). "I know there is, because it does not sound too sweet; it is not like such words as Liberty, Excitement, Enjoyment: delightful sounds truly; but no more than sounds for me; and so hollow and fleeting that it is mere waste of time to listen to them. But Servitude! That must be matter of fact. Any one may serve: I have served here eight years; now all I want is to serve elsewhere."
(Chapter 10)
Having been dependent the majority of her life, Jane is ambitious and wants to become her own caretaker. In this quote, she is trying to work up the courage to leave Lowood School and seek an occupation, where she can support herself by herself. Although this goes against what Victorian women are taught: they must find a wealthy man to marry or a man that is within their own social class (unless blessed with considerable beauty) and become dependent on their husbands to accumulate wealth for the whole family. This stereotypical “life cycle” that the Victorian woman is supposed to lead, discourages the desire to have an occupation and contribute to the earnings of the family.
(Chapter 10)
Having been dependent the majority of her life, Jane is ambitious and wants to become her own caretaker. In this quote, she is trying to work up the courage to leave Lowood School and seek an occupation, where she can support herself by herself. Although this goes against what Victorian women are taught: they must find a wealthy man to marry or a man that is within their own social class (unless blessed with considerable beauty) and become dependent on their husbands to accumulate wealth for the whole family. This stereotypical “life cycle” that the Victorian woman is supposed to lead, discourages the desire to have an occupation and contribute to the earnings of the family.
"I am so glad you are come; it will quite pleasant living here now with a companion. To be sure it is pleasant at any time; for Thornfield is a fine old hall, rather neglected of late years perhaps, but still it is a respectable place; yet you know in winter time, one feels dreary quite alone, in the best quarters. I say alone – Leah is a nice girl to be sure, and John and his wife are very decent people; but then you see they are only servants, and one can’t converse with them on terms of equality: one must keep them at due distance, for fear of losing one’s authority."
(Chapter 11)
This quote is unfortunate because Mrs. Fairfax, who indicates the reasons for why the discussion of equality with servants is inappropriate, she doesn't seem to realize the ironic connection that her own gender roles make to the role of a servant. Equality is an illusion to her, because she talks of it like she knew what it meant to be equal in society at that time. The argument lies in her own words as she contradicts herself:” yet you know in winter time, one feels dreary quite alone- and one can’t converse with them on terms of equality. Like Jane, Mrs. Fairfax knows what it feels like to have to be confined to one house for the sake of losing your job yet she states the inappropriate topics with which not to discuss with servants.
(Chapter 11)
This quote is unfortunate because Mrs. Fairfax, who indicates the reasons for why the discussion of equality with servants is inappropriate, she doesn't seem to realize the ironic connection that her own gender roles make to the role of a servant. Equality is an illusion to her, because she talks of it like she knew what it meant to be equal in society at that time. The argument lies in her own words as she contradicts herself:” yet you know in winter time, one feels dreary quite alone- and one can’t converse with them on terms of equality. Like Jane, Mrs. Fairfax knows what it feels like to have to be confined to one house for the sake of losing your job yet she states the inappropriate topics with which not to discuss with servants.