On Female Subordination and Expectations:
* "I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will." - This quote embodies Jane's spirit of independence and defiance against societal expectations for women.
* "Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint, too absolute a stagnation, precisely as men would suffer; and it is narrow-minded in their more privileged fellow-creatures to say that they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting stockings, to playing the piano and embroidering." - Jane expresses the frustration with the limited roles society imposed on women.
* "I am not a slave; I will not be treated as such. I will not bow my head to any human being but God." - Jane refuses to be subservient even to a man like Mr. Rochester, highlighting her strong sense of self-worth.
On Marriage and Love:
* "I am no longer a girl; I am a woman. I must have an active purpose, and a defined aim in life." - This emphasizes Jane's desire for more than just finding a husband. She seeks purpose and meaning.
* "I am not a slave; I will not be treated as such. I will not bow my head to any human being but God." - While this quote is about her refusal to be subservient, it also reflects on the power dynamics inherent in marriage, particularly in Jane's case.
* "I will not be your mistress. I will be your wife, if you are willing to accept me as your equal." - Jane demonstrates her conviction in demanding a partnership based on mutual respect and equality in marriage.
On Education and Self-Reliance:
* "I will be a teacher, and a teacher of the poor. I will learn and labor, and help others to learn and labor." - This reflects Jane's commitment to finding fulfillment and purpose through education and her chosen career.
* "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." - Jane confronts Mr. Rochester with her intellectual and emotional equality, despite their social differences.
Quotes that highlight the societal context:
* "What a strange being you are! You talk as if you had not a bone in your body: and you are as stiff as a poker, and as hard as steel." - This comment by Mr. Rochester about Jane's character illustrates how women were expected to be more delicate and submissive.
* "I care nothing for rank, or wealth, or fashion. I care for my own soul." - This quote exemplifies Jane's determination to focus on her own personal growth and values, challenging the importance society placed on material wealth and social status.
These are just a few of the many quotes in *Jane Eyre* that illuminate the complexities of gender relations in the 19th century. Through Jane's journey, the novel challenges societal norms and promotes the idea of women as independent, intelligent, and capable individuals who deserve respect and equality.