QUOTE BANK

Question 1

“humbled by the consciousness of my physical inferiority to Eliza, John, and Georgiana Reed.”

Answer 1

Not part of the house, not a servant.
Feels inferior - isolated from the other children
Pitiful

Question 2

[about governesses] “half of them detestable and the rest ridiculous”

Answer 2

View of governesses by those of the higher-class. Overheard by Jane. Only Rochester treats her with respect for her work

Question 3

[John Mason on Bertha] “She sucked the blood: she said she’d drain my heart.”

Answer 3

Presents Bertha as the typical monster in the attic. Like a vampire - fairytale reference, a monstrous villain.

Question 4

[Brocklehurst} “You must be on your guard against her; you must shun her example: if necessary, avoid her company”

Answer 4

Showing the religious extremes and a wrong type of Christianity.

Question 5

[Lowood] “great grey hills heaved up round the horizon”

Answer 5

Prison-like.

Question 6

“Helen heard me patiently… I asked impatiently”

Answer 6

Contrast in personality

Question 7

[Rochester] “it was not my original intention to deceive, as I have deceived you”

Answer 7

The illusion and reality. Admits to his deceit

Question 8

[Bertha] “beast or human being, one could not, at first sight, tell” “on all fours”

Answer 8

More monster than human. No place for sympathy for her. Contrast of modern and old views of her entrapment.

Question 9

“my bride is here (…) my equal is here, and my likeness. Jane, will you marry me?”

Answer 9

Finally on an equal level.

Question 10

“I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom (…) it is my spirit that address your spirit”

Answer 10

Links to religion.

Question 11

[St John] “Our union must be sealed and consecrated by marriage”

Answer 11

Unromantic view of marriage. Lack of passion compared to Rochester

Question 12

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.”

Answer 12

Can’t be controlled by Rochester. They need to be free and equal

Question 13

“Do you think I am an automaton? — a machine without feelings?… 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!”

Answer 13

Showing that her position doesn’t mean she can be treated this way. Modern vs old view

Question 14

“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!”

Answer 14

Although they might not be equal in terms of wealth or position, their souls match each other.

Question 15

“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 quarter of your little frame. “

Answer 15

Biblical language of Adam and Eve

Question 16

“My master’s colourless, olive face, square, massive brow… were not beautiful, according to rule”

Answer 16

Byronic character - no need to be beautiful. Plain like Jane.

Question 17

“I know I must conceal my sentiments: I must smother hope; I must remember that he cannot care much for me”

Answer 17

Shows how she feels inferior - as a governess would - because of her position in comparison to his.

Question 18

“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.”

Answer 18

Contrast with Helen’s view of submitting and taking the pain. Vst contrast in personalities.

Question 19

“I thank my Maker, that in the midst of judgment he has remembered mercy. I humbly entreat my Redeemer to give me strength to lead henceforth a purer life than I have done hitherto”

Answer 19

Always returns to God - her moral compass and belief saves her.

Question 20

[On Jane’s outburst} “But it was always in her”

Answer 20

View of passionate children - Jane is prejudiced because she is not part of the family ban is not grateful enough.

Question 21

[Red room] “curtains of deep red damask” “the carpet was red”

Answer 21

Womb-like red. Red reflects her passion. M Reed forces her back into the womb - getting un-born.

Question 22

“I had to cross before the looking-glass… all looked

colder and darker in that visionary hollow than in reality”

Answer 22

Comparison to Bertha Mason.

Question 23

“What a consternation of soul was mine that dreary afternoon!”

Answer 23

Melodramatic - despite her age. Shows how strongly she feels and the maturity of her thoughts

Question 24

” I was like nobody there; I had

nothing in harmony with Mrs. Reed or her children”

Answer 24

Feels isolated and lonely.

Question 25

“I was oppressed, suffocated: endurance broke down”

Answer 25

Her Gateshead experience summarised through the arrival of the ghost.