Important Quotations Explained
To say or not to say; but what do they mean?
~our top 5 quotations from Jane Eyre, in no particular order~
"I resisted all the way; a new thing for me." -Jane
This quote was found in chapter two, when we as the reader are just beginning to get to know Jane. We can see that she lives an unhappy life, as she has almost no one that truly loves or cares about her. We will see later on that her own family invent lies about her in order to send her away. Jane realizes in this quote that her behavior was very out of character, as she had not openly rebelled to her aunt before this point. But it also marks a turning point in her life; Jane is tired of being pushed around by people that believe themselves superior to her.
"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will." -Jane to Mr. Rochester
This was said by Jane to Mr. Rochester when they were discussing Jane's employment prospects elsewhere. She felt compelled to leave Thornfield, as it was clear that Mr. Rochester was going to take a bride, most likely Blanche Ingram- a lady of a higher class than Jane. She said these words in order to make it clear to Mr. Rochester that wherever she decided to go next would be her decision, and no one else's. These characters existed in a time where women were still considered to be inferior to men, and something so blunt would usually only be said to a husband, or a very close friend. For her to assert her independence to a man that was neither a relation nor a spouse, it was rare and not usually encouraged.
"It is as if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly and inextricably knotted to a similar string situated in the corresponding corner of your little frame." - Mr. Rochester to Jane
Throughout Jane's life, she has grown up in a harsher world than most. She has had few true friends in her life time, but it all changes when she meets Mr. Rochester. While the social implications of being tied romantically to the master of the house are dangerous and frowned upon, they quickly form a bond that runs deeper than friendship. Truly, Mr. Rochester is the love of Jane's life, and this quote is his first obvious declaration of love.
“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.” -Jane
What Jane means by her quote is this: being bored and still in life does not give you satisfaction- we must have a goal or a higher purpose to strive towards, and if we do not, we will create one. This quote shows a parallel to the events in her life. Before Thornfield, Jane had attended school at Lowood Institute, and it had been a relatively methodical and tedious time of her life. As she became older, she was allowed to progress to teaching classes at Lowood, but she desired more, and applied to be a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she would meet Mr. Rochester. This is the time of her life that is the action mentioned in her quote, as her life would completely change once she stepped in the gates.
"Reader, I married him." -Jane
These were the first words of the final chapter in Jane Eyre, and represent the denouement of the story. These are perhaps the most simple and direct words she has spoken throughout the book, but are possibly the ones filled with the most meaning. In one short sentence, she gives the reader an idea of how she lived the rest of her life: happy, with everything she had ever wanted in her marriage to Mr. Rochester.
Sources for the pictures, from left to right:
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