Chapter Eleven

Key Quotes and Analysis:
"though I may look comfortably accommodated, I am not very tranquil in my mind" p80 - Jane is anxious after leaving a life of routine and punishment behind. She is expressing what it is like to be truly independent and worries about the uncertainty of the future.

"adventure sweetens the sensation...but then the throb of fear disturbs it" p81- again, Jane is feeling anxious but finally free from restrictions on her adventure in her new servitude.

"it is a pity that one's best does not always answer" p81 - Jane is worried about not being agreeable to Mrs Fairfax, as she is used to being scrutinised for her actions at Lowood and Gateshead.

"I anticipated only coldness and stiffness" p83 - Coldness and stiffness is what Jane has grown used to at her previous places of residence. Her experiences continue to haunt her as she moves across the country, unable to escape the memories of being badly treated.

"they are only servants and you can't converse with them on terms of equality...keep them at due distance, for fear of losing one's authority" p83 - Mrs Fairfax illustrates the social classes of servants, governesses and masters.

"I was now at last in safe haven" p84 - Jane feels protected at Thornfield, as if she's finally found her home.

"an impulse of gratitude swelled my heart" p84 - Jane is known for her turbulent emotions and her inability to control them. At last she is experiencing 'happy' emotions.

"the equality between her and me was real; not the mere result of condescension  on her part...my position was all the more freer" p87 - Jane feels at home and welcomed at Thornfield, her new servitude also giving her new experiences on what it's like to feel valued.

"he has a gentleman's tastes and habits" p90
"unimpeachable", "peculiar", "clever" - characteristics of Rochester p91 - Rochester is described by Mrs Fairfax in vague terms.

"the laugh was a tragic,, as preternatural a laugh as any I have heard" p93 - Setting up the plot twist two thirds of the way through the novel. Jane is aware of the supernatural, due to her experience in the Red Room in Chapter Two and reference is made towards spirits and ghosts throughout the novel.

"Too much noise, Grace...remember directions!" p93 - Rochester is a man with authority, but the term is ambiguous. Thornfield hides many secrets from the residents of the hall.

Chapter One

Key Quotes:
"exclude me from priviledges intended only for contented, happy, little children" p3
"ceaseless rain sweeping away wildly" p3
"broken boat stranded on a desolate coat" p4
"with Bewick on my knee, I was happy: happy at least in my way" p5
"you are a dependant...you ought to beg" p6
"such a picture of passion" p7

In Chapter One of Jane Eyre, Jane introduces the characters of Gateshead. Namely, John Reed and his mother, who believe that Jane does not hold the same rights as they do and her social class is made explicit. Jane is constantly told of her position, though as long as she has her imagination, she is happy.

She reads Bewick's 'History of British Birds' as an act of escapism, allowing her mind to wonder and fantasise about distant lands. We can deduce that Jane is intelligent, due to her descriptions of John, comparing him to the likes of a 'Roman Emperor' and we know that she is emotional, unable to control her anger and feeling of unjustice when she lashes out at John Reed.

Mrs Reed is the villian of Jane's childhood, inflicting torturous experiences on Jane.