Jane quotes from Jane Eyre (2011)

View Quote Rochester: From whence do you hail? What is your tale of woe?
Jane: [confused] Pardon?
Rochester: All governesses have a tale of woe. What is yours?
Jane: 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: Dead, sir.
Rochester: Do you remember them?
Jane: No.
Rochester: And why are you not with Mrs. Reed at Gateshead now?
Jane: She cast me off, sir.
Rochester: Why?
Jane: Because I was burdensome and she disliked me.
Rochester: [Incredulous] No tale of woe?

View Quote 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: But...
Rochester: I'll account for the state of affairs. Say nothing.
Jane: 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: 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: 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: Good night then, sir.
Rochester: You will leave me, then.
Jane: I am cold.
Rochester: Go.

View Quote Rochester: I offer you my hand, my heart. Jane, I ask you to pass through life at my side. You are my equal and my likeness. Will you marry me?
Jane: Are you mocking me?
Rochester: You doubt me.
Jane: Entirely.

View Quote Rochester I am asking what Jane Eyre would do to secure my happiness.
Jane: [deeply] I would do anything for you, sir. Anything that was right.

View Quote Rochester: I know you; you're thinking. Talking is of no use, you're thinking how to act.
Jane: 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: You have a wife.
Rochester: I pledge you my honor, my fidelity...
Jane: You cannot.
Rochester: ...my love until death do us part.
Jane: What of truth?
Rochester: I would have told you the truth.
Jane: 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: No sir.
Rochester: The inmates are caged and baited like beasts. I spared her that at least. Jane?
Jane: Yes I pity you sir.
Rochester: Who would you offend by living with me? Who would care?
Jane: I would.
Rochester: You would rather drive me to madness than break some mere human law.
Jane: 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: God help me.

View Quote Rochester: Who's there? This hand. Jane Eyre. Jane Eyre.
Jane: Edward, I'm come back to you. Fairfax Rochester with nothing to say.
Rochester: You're altogether a human being Jane.
Jane: I conscientiously believe so.
Rochester: I dream.
Jane: Awaken then.