jane eyre love and relationships

• While I breathe and think, I must love him


  modal verb compelled to love rochester
• "I never ceased to cherish her a sentiment of attachment as strong and respectful as any that ever animated my heart" - jane about helen


  -powerful example of platonic love within the book

  -highlights how helen shaped janes value (her sense of morality, forgiveness, and inner peace.)

  • The phrase “animated my heart” adds emotional weight—it brought her heart to life, showing that Helen awakened a new depth of feeling in Jane.
• "You have my full and free forgiveness: ask now for God’s, and be at peace."- jane to mrs reed


  -shows how far Jane has come in terms of emotional growth. As a child, she was full of rage and resentment—but as an adult, she chooses forgiveness over revenge.

  • jane encourages her aunt to seek peace with God, reflecting the novel’s recurring theme of Christian morality and redemption.
  • contrasts the cold-heartedness of Mrs. Reed with Jane’s warmth and compassion, flipping the power dynamic: Jane is now the stronger and more morally grounded of the two.
• “My very soul demands you: it will be satisfied, or it will take deadly vengeance on its frame.”-rochester to jane 


  -illustrates Rochester’s obsessive, all-consuming love for Jane, reflecting the romantic ideal of love as overpowering and desperate.

  -reveals a power imbalance, with Rochester placing his emotional stability entirely on Jane, which could feel burdensome to her

  • forebodes the destructiveness of their love
• "I scorn your idea of love. I scorn the counterfeit sentiment you offer.”- st john 


  -st johns love is cold and duty bound: views love as a sacrafice for a higher cause- victorian expectations of working class

  • rochesters love is passionate and doesnt make jane conform to expectations, st john is pragmatic
  • Jane’s rejection of St. John emphasizes her desire for authentic emotional connection
• "I am coming!” I cried. “Wait for me! Oh, I will come!"- jane 


  -This moment underscores the spiritual connection between Jane and Rochester, which transcends physical separation. Jane’s voice echoes Rochester’s call

  -The phrase "I will come" signals that Jane is not just a passive recipient of love; she takes control of her fate.

  • symbolic of redemption.- spiritual connection showing Gods forgiven rochester as he endured his hardships