Quote 1: “I reflected. Poverty looks grim to grown people; still more so to children: they have not much idea of industrious, working, respectable poverty; they think of the word only as connected with ragged clothes, scanty food, fireless grates, rude manners, and debasing vices: poverty for me was synonymous with degradation. ” (pg. 18) This quote occurs when Jane learns from Mrs. Reed that her parents lived in poverty. Mrs. Reed asks if Jane would like to go live with her parents instead of in the welloff Reed household, leading to this reflection. This quote shows that Jane has a stereotypical idea in her head about the impoverished.
It foreshadows Jane’s desire for a higher place in society late on in the book, where it is a primary factor in her obsession with Rochester. Her erroneous prejudgment here is also contradicted when she goes to teach the peasant children at Morton, where she is shown that poor children can learn as well as the richer people. Bronte juxtaposes Jane’s assumptions of the poor with the reality of the Morton children to show that the stereotype of the poor being uncultured or crude is unsubstantiated and incorrect.
Quote 2: “‘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 a matter of fact. Any one may serve. I have served eight years; now all I want is to serve elsewhere. ‘” (pg. 78) In this quote, after having dealt with the small talk of her roommate at bedtime, Jane contemplates her imminent departure from Lowood, after having studied there for 6 years and taught there for 2.
Jane’s stay at Lowood for 8 years without holiday has transformed her into a significantly more subdued and calm individual. However, she once again feels a sense of adventure after almost a decade stuck at Lowood. She seeks liberty, but not as much as she seeks for a new line of work to satisfy her thirst for variance and dynamic in her lifestyle. Bronte’s depiction of the he adventurous spirit of Jane expresses the idea that change is healthy in order to lead a happy life, and that keeping to old routine can be exhausting.
Quote 3: The thought of Mrs. O’Gall and Bitternutt Lodge struck cold to my heart; and colder the thought of all the brine and foam destined, as it seemed, to rush between me and the master at whose side I now walked; and coldest the remembrance of the wider ocean-wealth, caste, custom-intervened between me and what I naturally and inevitably loved. ” (pg. 238) After having been told that she has to leave Thornfield and travel far to Ireland due to Rochester’s decision to marry Blanche Ingram, Jane breaks down into tears and has this reverie.
Jane, having believed Rochester has chose Ingram over her because of her economic standing and status, despairs because of the societal expectations separating her from Rochester, who she thinks she’ll never see again. Heartbroken, she laments that despite the huge physical distance soon to be between Rochester and herself, the class difference between them will always be a greater, insurmountable barrier. Bronte uses Jane’s grief to illustrate a grim, dramatic picture of the class barrier in society, and the role it plays in separating and dividing people who would otherwise have a more substantial relationship.
Quote 4: “In truth it was humble-but then it was sheltered, and I wanted a safe asylum; it was plodding-but then, compared with that of a governess in a rich house, it was independent, and the fear of servitude with strangers entered my soul like iron; it was not ignoble-not unworthy-not mentally degrading. ” (pg. 339) This quote gives Jane’s first impression of the job offered to her by St. John at Morton as a schoolmistress. After having left Rochester and Thornfield, Jane begins her quest to find her self identity.
Her position as a schoolmistress in the poor ton of Morton puts her far away from her former position at Thornfield, and, as such, it appeals to her somewhat. Bronte is once again expressing the idean that change of pace and work is good for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but this time is adding ina an element of the benefits it has toward self determination. Jane, in this period of the book, has lost her true self in her passion for Rochester, and is now trying to find it again. Quote 5: “Twenty thousand pounds shared equally, would be five thousand each-enough and to spare: justice would be donemutual happiness secured.
Now the wealth did not weigh on me: now it was not a mere bequest of coin-it was a legacy of life, hope, enjoyment. ” (pg. 368) Jane, having learned of the twenty thousand pounds that her uncle has bequeathed to her, decides to split it four ways between her, St. John, Diana, and Mary. Jane’s relief after having split her inherited fortune shows how her opinion has changed. Previously, her desire for a place of significance in society was a part of her character. However, when given the opportunity here, she refuses, even after St. John reminds her of the potential for her new life.
Bronte is showing that as Jane matures, she no longer feels that excess wealth and high status is as important to happiness as having those who care about her. In this way, Bronte is also demonstrating that wealth and status are not important to happiness in real life either, and that leaving a positive legacy and making those you care about happy are more significant. Author’s Attitude toward Religion Quote 1: “‘Humility is a Christian grace, and one peculiarly appropriate to the pupils of Lowood; I, therefore, direct that especial care shall be bestowed on its cultivation amongst them.
I have studied how best to mortify in them the worldly sentiment of pride; and, only the other day, I had a pleasing proof of my success. My second daughter, Augusta, went with her mama to visit the school, and on her return she exclaimed: ‘Oh, dear papa, how quiet and plain all the girls at Lowood look, with their hair combed behind their ears, and their long pinafores, and those little holland pockets outside their frocks—they are almost like poor people’s children! and,’ said she, ‘they looked at my dress and mama’s, as if they had never seen a silk gown before. ‘” (P 27)
Brocklehust says this to reassure Mrs. Reed that Jane will be taken care of and educated well at his school, Lowood. In reassuring Mrs. Reed, Brocklehurst reveals some of his principles and gives the reader an insight into the values he holds true in his view of Christianity, one of which is extreme humility. In fact, he goes through special pains to make sure life is as plain as possible at Lowood, and that its pupils are strictly disciplined and even embarrassed. Representing a negative brand of Christianity, Bronte uses Brocklehurst’s ideas as the antithesis to what the author believes is true, devout Christianity.
To reinforce the idea that Brocklehursts idea of Christianity is twisted and wrong, It is also shown that he takes pride in his humiliation of the girls, boasting that his daughter took notice of the plainness of the Lowood girls. Quote 2: “‘She has been unkind to you, no doubt; because you see, she dislikes your cast of character, as Miss Scatcherd does mine; but how minutely you remember all she has done and said to you! What a singularly deep impression her injustice seems to have made on your heart! No ill-usage so brands its record on my feelings.
Would you not be happier if you tried to forget her severity, together with the passionate emotions it excited? Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs. ” (P 51) This quote is a part of a monologue delivered by Helen Burns after Jane has been scolded by Miss Scratcherd and complains to Helen. Helen’s advice to Jane is a small window into the subdued, depressing world of Helen’s world. Helen duly accepts all abuses administered to her, taking them and forgetting about them afterward. Her philosophy of nonaggression and passiveness is in direct contrast with Jane’s aggressive, confrontational nature.
In presenting the deeper character of Helen, Bronte reflects upon Jane’s undying passion and determination and compares it to that of Helen, who has seemingly already given up. Bronte uses the contrast between the two to emphasize the positive fighting spirit within Jane. Quote 3: ‘No—that is the best of it,’ he said. And if I had loved him less | should have thought his accent and look of exultation savage; but, sitting by him, roused from the nightmare of parting-called to the paradise of union—I thought only of the bliss given me to drink in so abundant a flow.
Again and again he said, ‘Are you happy, Jane? ‘ And again and again I answered, ‘Yes. ‘ After which he murmured, ‘It will atone—it will atone. Have I not found her friendless, and cold, and comfortless? Will I not guard, and cherish, and solace her? Is there not love in my heart, and constancy in my resolves? It will expiate at God’s tribunal. I know my Maker sanctions what I do. For the world’s judgment—I wash my hands thereof. For man’s opinion—I defy it. ‘ (P 242) Rochester and Jane have this intense, emotional interaction after professing love to each other, and after Rochester
Rochester’s love for Jane is demonstrated completely in this quote, and he brushes aside Jane’s misgivings about their difference in class by justifying their love for each other with God’s approval. Rochester feels that they were meant for each other, and that the approval of society – of man – means nothing next to the approval of God. Bronte’s reveal of Rochester’s tenacious love of lane and his use of religio confirm it is a manifestation of a passionate, emotional, raw variety of Christianity, showing Bronte’s belief that affection and strong emotion are a part of religion, driving people to do things they wouldn’t otherwise consider.
Quote 4: “Seek one elsewhere than in me, St. John: seek one fitted to you. ”One fitted to my purpose, you mean—fitted to my vocation. Again I tell you it is not the insignificant private individual—the mere man, with the man’s selfish senses—I wish to mate: it is the missionary. ”And I will give the missionary my energies—it is all he wants—but not myself: that would be only adding the husk and shell to the kernel. For them he has no use: I retain them. ”You cannot-you ought not. Do you think God will be satisfied with half an oblation? Will He accept a mutilated sacrifice?
It is the cause of God I advocate: it is under His standard I enlist you. I cannot accept on His behalf a divided allegiance: it must be entire. ”Oh! I will give my heart to God,’| said. “YOU do not want it. ‘” (P 388) After having told Jane of his plans for India, St John attempts to convince her to be his wife. St John is clearly shown as a very direct contrast to Rochester in motivation for Jane’s hand in marriage. While Rochester is purely motivated by passion, St. John is driven pure by practicality, seeing Jane as a potentially very strong missionary.
Jane, on the other hand, is repulsed by the idea of a marriage with St. John, disliking both the idea of marrying someone she considers a brother and marrying a man of St. Johns character. Bronte’s use of St John’s proposal and Jane’s disagreement shows the conflict between the interests of St. John, a devout, spiritual man, and Jane. Quote 5: “‘l have an answer for you-hear it. I have watched you ever since we first met: I have made you my study for ten months. I have proved you in that time by sundry tests: and what have | seen and elicited…
I acknowledge the complement of the qualities I seek. Jane, you are docile, diligent, disinterested, faithful, constant, and courageous; very gentle, and very heroic: cease to mistrust yourself, I can trust you unreservedly. As a conductress of Indian schools, and a helper amongst Indian women, your assistance will be to me invaluable. ‘” (P 385) This is another quote of St. John in the midst of trying to convince Jane to join him as a missionary in India. This quote shows the inner workings of the previously mysterious St. John.
His ulterior motives behind everything he did for Jane appears to have been to find a companion for his voyage, and thus, to spread Christianity. The single-mindedness of St. John and his view of Jane as just another way for him to preach show another negative breed of Christianity in St. John, one that just wants to convert as many people as possible, regardless of the effect on the people around him. His obsession is also a reflection by Bronte on the European colonialism and forced conversion of native populations to Christianity during the Age of Imperialism.
