This Jane Eyre quote is from the conversation in chapter 23 of Jane Eyre. It occurs at a point where Jane has been away to attend to her dying Aunt Reed. Mr Rochester has also been to London to arrange things for his wedding. To all external appearances it seems that Miss Blanche Ingram is his intended bride. In fact Mr Rochester is intending to marry Jane Eyre, but he has omitted to tell Jane or anyone else.
Due to his obscure nature Edward Rochester still maintains the secrecy of his intentions. Eventually in this chapter Jane Eyre explodes with emotion and frustration at Mr Rochester’s manner and his words.
Jane Eyre Quotes – 1. “Do you think I am an automaton?”
“Do you think I am an automaton? — a machine without feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? 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! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor 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!”
As you can see, The speech is full of emotion from Jane. It shows how she has been feeling for most of the story. It also reveals to Mr Rochester her feelings which he has been at pains to discover. Whilst he had hoped for a return of his love for Jane, this impssioned speech confirmed to him that Jane Eyre was in love with him. It reveals that someone who is poor and of no consequence in the world, has just as many strong feelings as someone who has a status in society. This is one of the main themes that has made the book Jane Eyre so popular over the years.
More Jane Eyre quotes coming soon
Recommended Reading
- Edward Rochester
- Jane Eyre Quotes – 4 – I am your plain, Quakerish governess.
- Jane Eyre Quotes 3 – Edward Rochester, An Ugly Man
