Relating to Chapter 6: Archaic Language
Below is the passage from Jane Eyre that’s referenced in this chapter; annotations have been provided.
from Chapter 19 of Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
“… Is it known that Mr. Rochester is to be married?” Jane asked.
“Yes, to the beautiful Miss Ingram … and no doubt they will be a superlatively happy pair. He must love such a handsome, noble, witty, accomplished lady; and probably she loves him, or, if not his person, at least his purse.[1] I know she considers the Rochester estate eligible to the last degree.…”[2]
“But I did not come to hear Mr. Rochester’s fortune: I came to hear my own; and you have told me nothing of it.”
“Your fortune is yet doubtful. Chance has meted you a measure of happiness:[3] That I know. I knew it before I came here this evening. She has laid it carefully on one side for you. I saw her do it. It depends on yourself to stretch out your hand, and take it up: but whether you will do so, is the problem I study. Kneel again on the rug.”
“Don’t keep me long; the fire scorches me.”
I knelt. She did not stoop towards me, but only gazed, leaning back in her chair. She began muttering,—
“The flame flickers in the eye; the eye shines like dew; it looks soft and full of feeling; it smiles at my jargon:[4] it is susceptible; impression follows impression through its clear sphere; where it ceases to smile, it is sad; an unconscious lassitude weighs on the lid: that signifies melancholy resulting from loneliness. It turns from me; it will not suffer further scrutiny[5].… “As to the mouth, it delights at times in laughter; it is disposed to impart all that the brain conceives;[6] though I daresay it would be silent on much the heart experiences. Mobile and flexible, it was never intended to be compressed in the eternal silence of solitude: it is a mouth which should speak much and smile often, and have human affection.… I see no enemy to a fortunate issue[7] but in the brow; and that brow professes to say,—‘I can live alone, if self-respect, and circumstances require me so to do. I need not sell my soul to buy bliss. I have an inward treasure born with me, which can keep me alive if all extraneous delights should be withheld….’”
[1] if not his person, at least his purse If not his physical self, at least his wealth.
[2] she considers the Rochester estate eligible to the last degree She considers the amount of property that Rochester owns to be large enough to make him a highly eligible marriage partner.
[3] Chance has meted you a measure of happiness [The goddess] Chance has arranged for you to enjoy at least a moderate amount of happiness.
[4] at my jargon At my unusual way of speaking.
[5] it will not suffer further scrutiny It will not allow itself to be looked at any more.
[6] it is disposed to impart all that the brain conceives It has a tendency to express everything that is being thought of in the brain.
[7] a fortunate issue A fortunate outcome.