Jane Eyre 12.

“ . . . like a wild, frantic bird rending it’s own plumage in desperation . . . “(Brontë 257)

Many times when birds become flustered they flap their wings in desperation to take flight to safety. However more often than not they wind up with a broken wing or flap themselves into exhaustion and die. Brontë compares Jane to a frantic bird because Jane is acting out immensely because of Mr. Rochester’s actions. She believes him to be getting married to Miss. Ingram and she decides to leave. By Brontë saying she will render her own plumage she means that if Jane continues to act the way she currently is than she will end up losing Rochester and everything she’s worked for.

Jane Eyre 11.

“ . . .a careless shepherd if I had left a lamb. . . so near a wolf’s den . . . “ (Brontë 219)

At this point in the novel Rochester has left Jane alone with a bleeding patient in dire need of assistance. She is frightened to the extent where she is almost incoherent. She is incapable of bandaging his wound and fears greatly that he will die before the return of Rochester and the surgeon. Brontë compares Jane to a lamb because before a lamb matures into a sheep it is entirely dependent on either it’s mother or it’s shepherd. In this case Jane’s shepherd is none other than Rochester and him leaving her alone could have dire consequences due to the fact that she is so dependent on him.

Jane Eyre 10.

“ . . . with her long curls and blue eyes . . . just as she was painted . . .” (Brontë 25)

At this point in the novel everyone in the Reed household is gawking over Georgiana’s beauty. They disregard Jane as part of the family, not only because of her behavior but because she is not much to look at. Brontë made such a big point of this because she wants to make the reader realize that appearance was a huge part of life and social status in the mid 1800’s. Even more interesting is that appearance is still a huge part of fitting in in todays society some hundred years later.

Jane Eyre 9.

" . . . remorse is the poison of life . . . " (Brontë 138)

When Brontë says this he means that if life if lived through regret and remorse than there really is no living. Jane Eyre has a lot to regret from her life but she has chosen to push past it and more forward, living for the future. If she had not chosen to do so she would be over come by depression because of her child hood and would never be able to move on. She would forever be stuck seeing out of the eyes of that little girl.

Jane Eyre 8.

" . . . an uncongenial alien permanently intruded on her own family group . . . " (Brontë 16)

At this point in the novel Jane Eyre resents her Aunt more than ever, and her Aunt is none too fond of her. Brontë could have chosen to use to term 'alien' for more than one reason. The word alien is often used to describe a foreigner which Jane technically was. The only reason she was living there was due to the fact that her father was deceased and had requested she stay there. Another usage for the word alien is in the extraterrestrial sense. Jane was not classically "beautiful" and her Aunt was never shy to tell her. Brontë could have been using this term to describe her lack of blending in with the Reed family.

Jane Eyre 7.

" . . . they let us ramble in the wood like gypsies . . ." (Brontë 78)

Gypsies, among other things, are known for their free spirits and diverse, spirited travels. By Brontë comparing the girls to gypsies she is simply saying that they took everything in, every bit of nature that surrounded them and appreciated every inch She also meant that the girls frolicked to and fro through the woods with out a care in the world or a destination, much like gypsies.

Jane Eyre 6.

" . . .Solomon said . . . "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a stalled ox and hatred therewith . . . " (Brontë 75)

Solomon was known not only for creating Jerusalem and the Holy Temple but also for his wisdom, his wealth, and his writing. He is often times quoted much as he was in Jane Eyre. This particular quote has been paraphrased an umpteenth amount of times over the years. It is saying that it is better to be poor and have love than to have all the riches in the world and know only hate. Brontë used this quote because she was explaining the differences between Lowood and Gateshead. Although Gateshead was much more pristine and seemed to be "better" at a glance it was filled with nothing more than bitter memories for Jane.

Jane Eyre 5.

". . .we feasted that evening as on nectar and ambrosia. . . " (Brontë 73)

Nectar and ambrosia are said to be "foods of the Gods". They were fortunate enough to have the luxury to dine on nectar and ambrosia. Food played a large role in greek mythology ; those who ate deserved to eat and those who went hungry deserved that as well. Hunger was seen as a punishment. By Brontë saying that they feasted on nectar and ambrosia she means that the food was fit for a God and truly decadent.

Jane Eyre 4.

"...heathen who says his prayers to Brahma and kneels before Juggernaut . . . " (Brontë 67)

The Brahma and the Juggernaut are both important figures in the Hindu religion. Brahma is said to be their God and the Juggernaut is said to be not only a God but the Lord of the entire World. At this point in the novel Jane is being accused of having sinned because she has "lied". By Brontë comparing her to someone who worships Hindu Gods she is stating that Jane is a misbeliever and a traitor and has obviously committed sins. Not only did Brontë compare her to a "heathen" but she said that she was worse.

Jane Eyre 3.

". . . march forward . . . "as stalwart soldiers" . . . " (Brontë 60)

The definition of a stalwart soldier is "one who is physically and morally strong". The students had to face the elements and endure a two mile walk to church every Sunday. Their spirits were always slow as they had to deal with the frigid air and bitter snow. Miss Temple referred to them as stalwart soldiers to lift their spirits. Brontë used this particular term to compare the girl to strong minded soldiers because in this part of the novel that's what they seemed to be. They seemed to be an army, marching to their destination of church. The battle they fought were the elements.

Jane Eyre 2.

". . . You are like a murderer . . . you are like the Roman Emperors . . . " (Brontë 10)

Roman Emperors were often known as cruel and evil. They obtained unlimited power and did with such power as they pleased. They were dictators and the lives of commoners and people that inhabited Rome had no effect on the way they chose to rule their territory. They only saw people as stepping stones to better themselves. When Brontë refers John Reed to not only a Roman Emperor but also a slave-driver she truly means that he is repulsive. That he is a retched little boy who believes that he deserves better than everyone else, especially Jane.