Jane Eyrе quotes

"Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs."

1. 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 any one 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 shall remember how you thrust me back . . . into the red-room . . . And that punishment you made me suffer because your wicked boy struck me—knocked me down for nothing. 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. . . .

2. Feeling . . . clamoured wildly. “Oh, comply!” it said. “. . . soothe him; save him; love him; tell him you love him and will be his. Who in the world cares for you? or who will be injured by what you do?” Still indomitable was the reply: “I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained 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.

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. Millions are condemned to a stiller doom than mine, and millions are in silent revolt against their lot. Nobody knows how many rebellions besides political rebellions ferment in the masses of life which people earth. 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.

They are not fit to associate with me. (after her being punished by her aunt)

I must resist those who punish me unjustly. (talking to Helen Burns)
I desired liberty; for liberty I gasped; for liberty I uttered a prayer (before leaving Lowood to go to Thornfield)

I don't think, sir, you have a right to command me, merely because you are older than I, or because you have seen more of the world than I have. (Jane to Rochester)

I grieve to leave Thornfield; I love Thornfield – I love it because I have lived in it a full and delightful life – momentarily at least. I have not been trampled on. I have not been petrified. ...... Do you think I can stay to become nothing to you? Do you think I am an automation – 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!
I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, or 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!

"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will, which now exerts to leave you” (when Rochester proposes her)

I am not an angel, and I will not be one till I die; I will be myself, Mr. Rochester
You shall give me nothing but your regard.

Reader! I forgave him at the moment and on the spot., I forgave him all ; yet not in words, not outwardly; only at my heart's core. (after the wedding)

Rochester: 'Oh, Jane, this is bitter! This – this is wicked. It would not be wicked to love me.” -
Jane: 'It would to obey you” (on parting)

St.John: “Know me to be what I am – a cold, hard man.” “My ambition is unlimited; my desire to rise higher, to do more than others, insatiable. I watch your career with interest because I consider you a specimen of a diligent, orderly, energetic woman: not because I deeply compassionate what you have gone through or what you still suffer”
St.John: “you are formed for labour, not for love.A missionary's wife you must – shall be. You shall be mine; I claim you – not for my pleasure, but for my Sovereign's service”

I sat at the feet of a man erring as I. The veil fell from his hardness and despotism. Having felt in him the presence of these qualities, I felt his imperfection and took courage. I was with an equal – one with whom I might argue – one whom, If I saw good, I might resist.” (of St.John)

“..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” (of St.John)

“I scorn your idea of love, I scorn the counterfeit sentiment you offer; yes, St.John, and I scorn you when you offer it. “

“If I were to marry you, you would kill me. You are killing me now.”

“to be chained for life to a man who regarded one but as a useful tool”