Jane Eyre Quotes
A mousy governess who softens the heart of her employer soon discovers that he's hiding a terrible secret.
Jane Eyre: I have lived a full life here. I have not been trampled on. I have not been petrified. I have not been excluded from every glimpse that is bright. I have known you, Mr. Rochester and it strikes me with anguish to be torn from you.
Rochester: Then why must you leave?
Jane Eyre: Because of your wife.
Rochester: I have no wife.
Jane Eyre: But your are to be married.
Rochester: Jane, you must stay.
Jane Eyre: And become nothing to you?...
[near tears]
Jane Eyre: Am I a machine with out feelings? Do you think that because I am poor, plain, obscure, and little that I am souless and heartless? I have as much soul as you and full as much heart. And if God had possessed me with beauty and wealth, I could make it as hard for you to leave me as I to leave you... I'm not speaking to you through mortal flesh. It is my spirit that addresses your spirit, as it passes throguh the grave and stood at God's feet equal. As we are.
Rochester: [taking her hand] As we are.
Jane Eyre: [trying to pull away] I am a free human being with an independent will, which I now exert to leave you.
Rochester: Than let you will decide your destiny. I offer you my hand, my heart. Jane, I ask you too pass through life at my side. You are my equal, my likeness... Will you marry me?
Jane Eyre: Are you mocking me?
Rochester: Do you doubt me?
Jane Eyre: Entirely.
Rochester: Then why must you leave?
Jane Eyre: Because of your wife.
Rochester: I have no wife.
Jane Eyre: But your are to be married.
Rochester: Jane, you must stay.
Jane Eyre: And become nothing to you?...
[near tears]
Jane Eyre: Am I a machine with out feelings? Do you think that because I am poor, plain, obscure, and little that I am souless and heartless? I have as much soul as you and full as much heart. And if God had possessed me with beauty and wealth, I could make it as hard for you to leave me as I to leave you... I'm not speaking to you through mortal flesh. It is my spirit that addresses your spirit, as it passes throguh the grave and stood at God's feet equal. As we are.
Rochester: [taking her hand] As we are.
Jane Eyre: [trying to pull away] I am a free human being with an independent will, which I now exert to leave you.
Rochester: Than let you will decide your destiny. I offer you my hand, my heart. Jane, I ask you too pass through life at my side. You are my equal, my likeness... Will you marry me?
Jane Eyre: Are you mocking me?
Rochester: Do you doubt me?
Jane Eyre: Entirely.
Rochester: I know you; you're thinking. Talking is of no use, you're thinking how to act.
Jane Eyre: All has changed sir. I must leave you.
Rochester: No. No. Jane do you love me.
[Jane nods]
Rochester: Then the essential things are the same. Be my wife.
Jane Eyre: You have a wife.
Rochester: I pledge you my honor, my fidelity...
Jane Eyre: You cannot.
Rochester: ...my love until death do us part.
Jane Eyre: What of truth?
Rochester: I would have told you the truth.
Jane Eyre: You are deceitful sir.
Rochester: I was wrong to deceive you. I see that now, it was cowardly. I should have appealed to your spirit as I do now. Bertha Antoinette Mason, she was wanted by my father for her fortune. I hardly spoke with her before the wedding. I lived with her for 4 years. Her temper ripened, her vices sprang up, violent and unchaste. Only cruelty would check her and I'd not use cruelty. I was chained to her for life Jane. Not even the law could free me. Have you ever set foot in a mad house Jane?
Jane Eyre: No sir.
Rochester: The inmates are caged and baited like beasts. I spared her that at least. Jane?
Jane Eyre: Yes I pity you sir.
Rochester: Who would you offend by living with me? Who would care?
Jane Eyre: I would.
Rochester: You would rather drive me to madness than break some mere human law.
Jane Eyre: I must respect myself.
Rochester: Listen to me. Listen. I could bend you with my finger and my thumb. A mere reed you feel in my hands. But whatever I do with this cage, I cannot get at you, and it is your soul that I want. Why can't you come of your own free will?
Jane Eyre: God help me.
Jane Eyre: All has changed sir. I must leave you.
Rochester: No. No. Jane do you love me.
[Jane nods]
Rochester: Then the essential things are the same. Be my wife.
Jane Eyre: You have a wife.
Rochester: I pledge you my honor, my fidelity...
Jane Eyre: You cannot.
Rochester: ...my love until death do us part.
Jane Eyre: What of truth?
Rochester: I would have told you the truth.
Jane Eyre: You are deceitful sir.
Rochester: I was wrong to deceive you. I see that now, it was cowardly. I should have appealed to your spirit as I do now. Bertha Antoinette Mason, she was wanted by my father for her fortune. I hardly spoke with her before the wedding. I lived with her for 4 years. Her temper ripened, her vices sprang up, violent and unchaste. Only cruelty would check her and I'd not use cruelty. I was chained to her for life Jane. Not even the law could free me. Have you ever set foot in a mad house Jane?
Jane Eyre: No sir.
Rochester: The inmates are caged and baited like beasts. I spared her that at least. Jane?
Jane Eyre: Yes I pity you sir.
Rochester: Who would you offend by living with me? Who would care?
Jane Eyre: I would.
Rochester: You would rather drive me to madness than break some mere human law.
Jane Eyre: I must respect myself.
Rochester: Listen to me. Listen. I could bend you with my finger and my thumb. A mere reed you feel in my hands. But whatever I do with this cage, I cannot get at you, and it is your soul that I want. Why can't you come of your own free will?
Jane Eyre: God help me.
[last lines]
Rochester: [sightless] Who's there?
Jane Eyre: [takes his hand]
Rochester: This hand.
[touching her face]
Rochester: Jane Eyre. Jane Eyre.
Jane Eyre: Edward, I am come back to you... Fairfax Rochester with nothing to say?
Rochester: You're altogether a human being Jane.
Jane Eyre: I conscientiously believe so.
Rochester: [passionate kiss] I dream.
Jane Eyre: Awaken then.
[they embrace]
Rochester: [sightless] Who's there?
Jane Eyre: [takes his hand]
Rochester: This hand.
[touching her face]
Rochester: Jane Eyre. Jane Eyre.
Jane Eyre: Edward, I am come back to you... Fairfax Rochester with nothing to say?
Rochester: You're altogether a human being Jane.
Jane Eyre: I conscientiously believe so.
Rochester: [passionate kiss] I dream.
Jane Eyre: Awaken then.
[they embrace]
Rochester: [sitting on the steps] This spring, I came home heart sore and soul withered. Then I met a gentle stranger whose society revives me. With her, I feel like I could live again in a higher, purer way.
[looking at Jane]
Rochester: Tell me... Am I justified in over leaping an obstacle of custom to obtain her?
Jane Eyre: There's an obstacle?
Rochester: A mere conventional impediment.
Jane Eyre: But what can it be? If you cherish an affection, sir than fortune alone cannot impede you.
Rochester: Yes.
Jane Eyre: And if the lady is of noble stock and has indicated that she may reciprocate.
Rochester: [bewildered] Jane, of whom do you think I speak?
Jane Eyre: Of Ms. Ingram.
Rochester: [rising to his feet] I am asking what Jane Eyre would do yo secure my happiness.
Jane Eyre: I would do anything for you, sir. Anything that was right.
Rochester: ...You transfix me quite. I feel I can speak to you now of my lovely one. If you've met her and know her. She's a rare one, isn't she? Fresh and healthy, without soil or taint. I'm sure she'd regenerate me with a vengeance.
[looking at Jane]
Rochester: Tell me... Am I justified in over leaping an obstacle of custom to obtain her?
Jane Eyre: There's an obstacle?
Rochester: A mere conventional impediment.
Jane Eyre: But what can it be? If you cherish an affection, sir than fortune alone cannot impede you.
Rochester: Yes.
Jane Eyre: And if the lady is of noble stock and has indicated that she may reciprocate.
Rochester: [bewildered] Jane, of whom do you think I speak?
Jane Eyre: Of Ms. Ingram.
Rochester: [rising to his feet] I am asking what Jane Eyre would do yo secure my happiness.
Jane Eyre: I would do anything for you, sir. Anything that was right.
Rochester: ...You transfix me quite. I feel I can speak to you now of my lovely one. If you've met her and know her. She's a rare one, isn't she? Fresh and healthy, without soil or taint. I'm sure she'd regenerate me with a vengeance.
Mr. Brocklehurst: Do you know, Jane Eyre, where the wicked go after death?
Young Jane: They go to hell.
Mr. Brocklehurst: And what is hell?
Young Jane: A pit full of fire.
Mr. Brocklehurst: Should you like to fall into this pit and be burned there forever?
Young Jane: No, sir.
Mr. Brocklehurst: How might you avoid it?
Young Jane: I must keep in good health and not die.
Young Jane: They go to hell.
Mr. Brocklehurst: And what is hell?
Young Jane: A pit full of fire.
Mr. Brocklehurst: Should you like to fall into this pit and be burned there forever?
Young Jane: No, sir.
Mr. Brocklehurst: How might you avoid it?
Young Jane: I must keep in good health and not die.
Rochester: [after Jane and Mr. Rochester have put out a fire that was set to his bed] Say nothing about this. You are no talking fool.
Jane Eyre: But...
Rochester: I'll account for the state of affairs. Say nothing.
Jane Eyre: Yes, sir.
Rochester: Is that how you would leave me? Jane, fire is a horrible death. You've saved my life. Don't walk past me as if we were strangers.
Jane Eyre: What am I to do, then?
[Rochester offers his hand, which she hesitates before taking. He covers her hand with his and draws closer]
Rochester: I have a pleasure in owing you my life.
Jane Eyre: There is no debt.
Rochester: I knew you would do me good in some way. I saw it in your eyes when I first beheld you. Their expression did not strike my very inmost being so for nothing. People talk of natural sympathies. You...
Jane Eyre: Good night then, sir.
Rochester: You will leave me, then.
Jane Eyre: I am cold.
Rochester: Go.
Jane Eyre: But...
Rochester: I'll account for the state of affairs. Say nothing.
Jane Eyre: Yes, sir.
Rochester: Is that how you would leave me? Jane, fire is a horrible death. You've saved my life. Don't walk past me as if we were strangers.
Jane Eyre: What am I to do, then?
[Rochester offers his hand, which she hesitates before taking. He covers her hand with his and draws closer]
Rochester: I have a pleasure in owing you my life.
Jane Eyre: There is no debt.
Rochester: I knew you would do me good in some way. I saw it in your eyes when I first beheld you. Their expression did not strike my very inmost being so for nothing. People talk of natural sympathies. You...
Jane Eyre: Good night then, sir.
Rochester: You will leave me, then.
Jane Eyre: I am cold.
Rochester: Go.
Young Jane: You said I was a liar. I'm not. If I were I'd have said I loved you, and I don't. I dislike you less than anybody in the world. People think you are good, but you are bad, and hard-hearted. I will let everyone know what you have done.
Mrs. Reed: Children must be corrected for their faults.
Young Jane: Deceit is not my fault.
Mrs. Reed: You are passionate.
Young Jane: Uncle Reed is in heaven. So are my mother and father. They know how you hate me and wish me dead. They can see, they see everything you do, and they will judge you Mrs. Reed.
Mrs. Reed: Get out.
Mrs. Reed: Children must be corrected for their faults.
Young Jane: Deceit is not my fault.
Mrs. Reed: You are passionate.
Young Jane: Uncle Reed is in heaven. So are my mother and father. They know how you hate me and wish me dead. They can see, they see everything you do, and they will judge you Mrs. Reed.
Mrs. Reed: Get out.
Jane Eyre: Have you something for me to do?
Mary Rivers: You're doing something already. May I see?
[Looks at Jane's drawings]
Mary Rivers: Oh, these are wonderful! St. John...
[Mary takes a sketch Jane did of St. John over to him]
Jane Eyre: No, Mary, please.
Mary Rivers: See how skilled Jane is!
St John Rivers: Is this how you perceive me, Miss Elliott?
[Jane remains silent]
St John Rivers: Well. How fierce I am.
Mary Rivers: You're doing something already. May I see?
[Looks at Jane's drawings]
Mary Rivers: Oh, these are wonderful! St. John...
[Mary takes a sketch Jane did of St. John over to him]
Jane Eyre: No, Mary, please.
Mary Rivers: See how skilled Jane is!
St John Rivers: Is this how you perceive me, Miss Elliott?
[Jane remains silent]
St John Rivers: Well. How fierce I am.
Jane Eyre: [after accepting Rochester's proposal] Am I a monster? Is it so impossible that Mr. Rochester should love me?
Mrs. Fairfax: No. I have long noticed you were a sort of pet of his. But you're so young and you're so little acquainted with men. I don't want to grieve you child, but let me just put you on your guard. Gentlemen in his position, well let's just say, they're not accustomed to marry their governesses. Until you are wed, distrust yourself as well as him. Please, keep him at a distance.
Mrs. Fairfax: No. I have long noticed you were a sort of pet of his. But you're so young and you're so little acquainted with men. I don't want to grieve you child, but let me just put you on your guard. Gentlemen in his position, well let's just say, they're not accustomed to marry their governesses. Until you are wed, distrust yourself as well as him. Please, keep him at a distance.
Rochester: From whence do you hail? What's your tale of woe?
Jane Eyre: Pardon?
Rochester: All governesses have a tale of woe. What's yours?
Jane Eyre: I was brought up by my aunt, Mrs. Reed of Gateshead, in a house even finer than this. I then attended Lowood school where I received an education as good as I could hope for. I have no tale of woe, sir.
Rochester: Where are your parents?
Jane Eyre: Dead.
Rochester: Do you remember them?
Jane Eyre: No.
Rochester: And why are you not with Mrs. Reed of Gateshead now?
Jane Eyre: She cast me off, sir.
Rochester: Why?
Jane Eyre: Because I was burdensome and she disliked me.
Rochester: [Incredulous] No tale of woe?
Jane Eyre: Pardon?
Rochester: All governesses have a tale of woe. What's yours?
Jane Eyre: I was brought up by my aunt, Mrs. Reed of Gateshead, in a house even finer than this. I then attended Lowood school where I received an education as good as I could hope for. I have no tale of woe, sir.
Rochester: Where are your parents?
Jane Eyre: Dead.
Rochester: Do you remember them?
Jane Eyre: No.
Rochester: And why are you not with Mrs. Reed of Gateshead now?
Jane Eyre: She cast me off, sir.
Rochester: Why?
Jane Eyre: Because I was burdensome and she disliked me.
Rochester: [Incredulous] No tale of woe?
Young Jane: [Helen is dying from consumption] How are you?
Helen Burns: I'm happy, Jane. I'm going home.
Young Jane: But your father...
Helen Burns: [Jane is visibly upset] Don't be sad, for I have a passion for living, Jane. And one day you'll come to the region of bliss.
[pause]
Helen Burns: Don't leave me. I like to have you near.
Young Jane: I will not leave you. No one shall take me from you.
[Helen dies]
Helen Burns: I'm happy, Jane. I'm going home.
Young Jane: But your father...
Helen Burns: [Jane is visibly upset] Don't be sad, for I have a passion for living, Jane. And one day you'll come to the region of bliss.
[pause]
Helen Burns: Don't leave me. I like to have you near.
Young Jane: I will not leave you. No one shall take me from you.
[Helen dies]
Mr. Brocklehurst: [Helen is about to be beaten by Ms. Scatcherd] I see you are mortifying this girl's flesh.
Miss Scatcherd: Sir, she was not...
Mr. Brocklehurst: It is your mission to render her contrite and self-denying. Continue.
[Ms. Scatcherd begins beating Helen with a rod. Jane drops her chalkboard as a distraction]
Mr. Brocklehurst: And you, girl.
[He has Jane stand on her stool]
Mr. Brocklehurst: This is the pedestal of infamy, and you will remain on it all day long. You will have neither food nor drink for you must learn how barren is the life of a sinner. Children, I exhort you to shun her, exclude her, shut her out from this day forth. Withhold the hand of friendship and deny your love to Jane Eyre, the liar.
Miss Scatcherd: Sir, she was not...
Mr. Brocklehurst: It is your mission to render her contrite and self-denying. Continue.
[Ms. Scatcherd begins beating Helen with a rod. Jane drops her chalkboard as a distraction]
Mr. Brocklehurst: And you, girl.
[He has Jane stand on her stool]
Mr. Brocklehurst: This is the pedestal of infamy, and you will remain on it all day long. You will have neither food nor drink for you must learn how barren is the life of a sinner. Children, I exhort you to shun her, exclude her, shut her out from this day forth. Withhold the hand of friendship and deny your love to Jane Eyre, the liar.
Jane Eyre: [as the walk through the darkened house with candles] Am I meeting Ms. Fairfax tongiht?
Mrs. Fairfax: Who?
Jane Eyre: Ms. Fairfax, my pupil.
Mrs. Fairfax: Oh, you mean Ms. Varens, Mr. Rochester's ward. She's to be your pupil.
Jane Eyre: Who's Mr. Rochester?
Mrs. Fairfax: Why, they owner of Thornfield Hall. Mr. Edward Fairfax Rochester.
Jane Eyre: I thought Thornfield Hall belonged to you.
Mrs. Fairfax: [extremely flattered] Oh bless you, child. What an idea? Me? I'm only the housekeeper.
Mrs. Fairfax: Who?
Jane Eyre: Ms. Fairfax, my pupil.
Mrs. Fairfax: Oh, you mean Ms. Varens, Mr. Rochester's ward. She's to be your pupil.
Jane Eyre: Who's Mr. Rochester?
Mrs. Fairfax: Why, they owner of Thornfield Hall. Mr. Edward Fairfax Rochester.
Jane Eyre: I thought Thornfield Hall belonged to you.
Mrs. Fairfax: [extremely flattered] Oh bless you, child. What an idea? Me? I'm only the housekeeper.
Mrs. Fairfax: No one knows how it started. I expect that Mrs. Poole took too much of the Gin and water as she slept the lady, Mrs. Rochester, unlocked the keys. She did what she failed to do a year ago, set the whole place to fire. We would have all perished in the smoke but Mister Rochester would not rest until we were all safe. Then he went in for her. The flames were tearing up so high it brought men running from the village. I saw her standing on the roof, the very edge. I heard Mister Rochester beg her to come down but she jumped. Mister Rochester remained as if he would not move until the fire consumed him.
Mrs. Reed: Her mother was my husband's sister. On his deathbed he exhorted me to care for her. I've always treated her as one of my own. If you accept her at Lowood school, Mr. Brocklehurst, keep a strict eye on her. She has a heart of spite. I'm sorry to say that her worst fault is that of deceit.
Mr. Brocklehurst: You can rest assured that she shall root out the wickedness in this small, ungrateful plant.
Mr. Brocklehurst: You can rest assured that she shall root out the wickedness in this small, ungrateful plant.
