Jane Eyre

by Charlotte Brontë

Jane practices self-respect, self-control, integrity, and righteous living despite her passion and love for Rochester, a quality to be admired.

“It is not violence that best overcomes hate—nor vengeance that most certainly heals injury.” “What then?” “Read the New Testament, and observe what Christ says, and how he acts—make his word your rule, and his conduct your example.” “What does he say?” “Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you and despitefully use you.”

Spring drew on: she was indeed already come; the frosts of winter had ceased; its snows were melted; its cutting winds ameliorated.

and a greenness grew over those brown beds which, freshening daily, suggested the thought that Hope traversed them at night, and

left each morning brighter traces of her steps. Flowers peeped out among the leaves; snowdrops, crocuses, purple auriculas, and golden-eyed pansies. On Thursday afternoons (half holidays) we now took walks, and found still sweeter flowers opening by the wayside, under the hedges.

“But where are you going to, Helen? Can you see? Do you know?” “I believe; I have faith: I am going to God.” “Where is God? What is God?” “My Maker and yours; who will never destroy what he created. I rely implicitly on his power, and confide wholly in his goodness: I count the hours till that eventful

one arrives which shall restore me to him, reveal him to me.”

“You are sure, then, Helen, that there is such a place as heaven; and that our souls can get to it when we die?” “I am sure there is a future state; I believe God is good; I can resign my immortal part to him without any misgiving. God is ...

“He is not to them what he is to me,” I thought: “he is not of their kind. I believe he is of mine;—I am sure he is—I feel akin to him—I understand the language of his countenance and movements: though rank and wealth sever us widely, I have something in my brain and heart, in my blood and nerves, that assimilates me mentally to him.