Excerpt from Jane Eyre

Rosa davurica, Artemisia annua, Jasmine, Dianthus caryophyllus and rose have been emitting late fragrance for a long time. The smell that just floated in is neither shrub nor flower, but I am familiar with it. It comes from Mr rochester's cigar. I looked around and listened. I saw the ripe fruit hanging heavily on the tree and heard a nightingale singing in the Woods half a mile away. I can't see the moving figure and hear the approaching footsteps, but the fragrance is getting stronger and stronger. I have to leave quickly. I walked to the side door leading to the bush, but I saw Mr. Rochester come in. I dodged and hid in the secluded depths covered with ivy. He won't stay long, and he will come back the same way soon. As long as I sit still, he will never see me.

But I can't-dusk is as lovely to him as it is to me, and the old garden is just as attractive. He continued to pace forward, picking up the gooseberry branches for a while and looking at the fruits whose branches were as big as plums for a while; Pick a ripe cherry from the wall later; Then he bent down and walked to a bunch of flowers, either smelling the flowers or admiring the dew on the petals. A big moth buzzed past me and landed on the flower branch at Mr. Rochester's feet. He bent down to look at it when he saw it.

"Now, he has his back to me," I thought. "He is absorbed. Maybe if I step on it lightly, I can slip away unnoticed. "

I stepped on the grass beside the road to avoid being exposed by the click of the gravel road. He was standing in the middle of the flower bed, a yard or two away from where I was going. It was obvious that moths attracted his attention. "I will pass it smoothly," I thought to myself. Before the moon rose very high, Mr. Rochester's long figure was cast into the garden. I was just about to cross this shadow when he whispered without looking back:

"Jane, come and see this guy."

I didn't make a sound, and there were no eyes behind him-couldn't his shadow feel anything? I was startled at first, and then walked up to him.

"Look at its wings," he said. "It reminds me of a West Indies insect. It is rare to see such a big and gorgeous night bug in Britain. Look! It flew away. "

Moths are drifting away. I also retreated awkwardly. But Mr Rochester followed me to the side door and said:

"Come back, what a pity to sit in the room on such a beautiful night. At the moment when the sunset meets the moon, no one wants to go to bed. "

I have a defect, that is, although I can speak eloquently and answer quickly, I am often at a loss when I need to make excuses. Therefore, at some critical moments, when I need a casual remark or an effective evasion to get rid of the painful predicament, I often make mistakes. I don't want to walk alone in the shady orchard with Mr. Rochester at this time. But I can't find a reason to go out. I followed slowly and tried my best to get rid of it. But he looked so calm and serious that I was ashamed of my panic. If there is a ghost in my heart-now and in the future-I can only say that I have it. He was so calm that he was completely unaware.

"Jane," he began again. We are walking into the path covered with laurel trees and slowly strolling to the short fence and buckeye. "Thornfield is a lovely place in summer, isn't it?"

"Yes, sir."

"You must like Thornfield House very much-you have an eye for natural beauty and you like it very much."

"To be honest, I am very attached to this place."

"Besides, although I don't understand what's going on, I can see that you have begun to care about Adele, a little fool, and even Fairfax, a simple old woman."

"Yes, sir, although they are different in nature, I have feelings for both of them." "And it will be sad to break up with them."

"yes."

"What a pity!" He said, sighed and stopped. "Things are always like this in the world," he went on at once. "Once you settle down in a pleasant place, there will be a sound to wake you up and move on, because it's past the rest time."

"Do I have to continue, sir?" I asked. Must I leave Thornfield?

"I think you have to go, Jane. Sorry, Janet, but I really think you should go. "

This is a blow, but I won't let it knock me down.

"Yes, sir, I'll go if you want me to."

"Now the order has come-I must give it tonight."

"So you're getting married, sir?"

"Indeed-true-for example-this, right-very. With your usual cleverness, you have hit the nail on the head. "

"Soon, sir?"

"Soon, my-that is, Miss Eyre, do you remember, Jane, I told you for the first time, or the rumor was clear, that I was going to put a sacred rope around my old bachelor's neck and enter a sacred marriage state-hug Miss Ingram into my arms, in short (she gave a big hug, but it doesn't matter-a citizen like my beautiful Blanche is. You didn't look back for moths, did you? It's just a ladybug, son, flying home. I want to remind you that what I appreciate is your prudence, foresight, shrewdness and humility, which is suitable for your responsible but not independent career. First of all, if I marry Miss Ingram, you and little Adele will leave at once. I don't care about the insult to my lover's personality implied by this suggestion. To tell the truth, once you're gone, Janet, I'll try to forget it. What I notice is wisdom, which is so brilliant that I take it as the criterion of action. Miss Eyre, Adele must go to school, and you must find a new job. "

"Yes, sir, I'll advertise right away, and I want to-"I want to say, "I think I can stay here until I find another place to live." But I stopped and thought I couldn't risk saying a long sentence because my voice was difficult to control.

"I hope to be the groom in a month," Mr. Rochester continued. "In the meantime, I will personally pay attention to finding a job and a place to live for you."

"Thank you, Sir, I'm sorry you-"

"Oh, don't apologize! I think when a servant works as well as you do, she has the right to ask her employer for a little simple help. Actually, I heard my future mother-in-law say a place suitable for you to go. This is Kuguo Village in Connaught, Ireland, which teaches five daughters of Mrs. dionis Hughes Augarde. I think you will like Ireland. They say the people there are very enthusiastic. "

"It's far from here, sir."

"Never mind-a reasonable girl like you won't object to the voyage or the distance."

"Not a voyage, but a distance. And the sea is a big obstacle-"

"Leave where, Jane?"

"Leave England and Thornfield, and-"

"Why?"

"Leave you, sir."

I almost unconsciously said this sentence, and tears welled up in my eyes. But I didn't cry, and I avoided sobbing. I shudder at the thought of Mrs Ogde and Kuguo Village. My heart is even colder when I think that the sea and waves are bound to churn between me and my master who walks side by side. And when I think of the Wang Yang sea between me and what I naturally and inevitably love, separated by wealth, class and customs, my heart is cold.

"It's far from here," I added.

"That's true. When you get to Kuguo Village in Connaught Road, I will never see you again. It must be like this. I never go to Ireland because I don't like this country very much. We have always been good friends, Jane, what do you think? "

"Yes, sir."

"On the eve of parting, friends often like to spend the rest of their time intimately. Come on-when the stars are shining in the sky over there, we spent about half an hour calmly talking about sailing and parting. Here is the horse chestnut, and here is the stool around the old root. Come on, let's sit here peacefully tonight, although we are doomed never to sit together again. " He asked me to sit down, and then he sat down himself.

"It's a long way from here to Ireland, Janet. I'm sorry to make my little friend embark on such a boring journey. But what if there is no better idea? Jane, do you think I have anything in common with you? "

I dare not answer at this moment, because I am very excited inside.

"Because," he said, "sometimes I have a strange feeling about you-especially when you are near me like this. My left rib seems to have a string, which is closely connected with the string in the same part of your little body. If the roaring strait and the land are separated by about 200 miles, I'm afraid this string of emotional communication will break, so I think uneasily that my heart will bleed. As for you-you will forget me. "

"Then I will never, sir, you know-"I can't say any more.

Jane, did you hear the nightingale singing in the forest? ? -listen! "

I sobbed while listening, and I couldn't restrain my repressed feelings any longer, so I had to let them show. I was shaking with pain. When I finally spoke, I could only express an impulsive wish: I wish I had never been born and had never been to Thornfield.

"Are you sad to leave?"

The strong emotions aroused by sadness and love in my heart are gaining the upper hand. I try my best to dominate everything, overwhelm everything, overcome everything, demand survival, expand and finally dominate everything, yes-and demand disclosure.

"I'm sorry to leave Thornfield. I love Thornfield-I love it because I live a full and happy life here-at least for a while. I have not been trampled on, nor have I become rigid, nor have I been mixed with people with low ambitions, nor have I been excluded from all opportunities to communicate with bright, healthy and noble hearts. I had a face-to-face conversation with people I respect and people I like-with a unique, positive and broad mind. I know you very well, Mr. Rochester, and insisting on being separated from you forever makes me feel fear and pain. I see that I have to part, just like I have to die. "

"Where did you see it?" He asked suddenly.

"Where? Sir, you put this necessity before me. "

"What kind of necessity?"

"Just like Miss Ingram, a noble and beautiful woman-your bride."

"My bride! What bride? I have no bride! "

"But you will."

"Yes, I will! I will! " He gritted his teeth.

"Then I have to go-you said it yourself."

"No, you must stay! I swear-I keep my oath. "

"I told you I was leaving!" I retorted, feeling impulsive. "Don't you think I'll stay and be a nobody to you? You think I'm a machine? -An emotionless machine? Can I tolerate others taking a bite of bread from my mouth and spilling a drop of water of life from my cup? Is it because I am poor, obscure, plain and small, so I have no soul and no heart? -There's nothing wrong with you? -My mind is as rich as you, and my heart is as full as you! If creation endows me with a little beauty and wealth, I will make you as inseparable as I am now. I'm not talking to you according to customs, conventions or even flesh and blood, but my soul is talking to your soul, as if we were standing at the foot of creation through the grave, equal to each other-that's it! "

"That's it!" Mr. Rochester repeated, "So," he added, taking me in his arms and putting his lips to mine. "Is that so, Jane?"

"Yes, it is, sir," I replied, "but it isn't. Because you are married-or married, married to a person far less than you-a person who doesn't hit it off with you-I don't believe you really love her, because I have seen and heard you laugh at her. I will show disdain for such a combination, so I am better than you-let me go! "

"Where to, Jane? Go to Ireland? "

"Yes, go to Ireland. I have spoken my mind, and now I can go anywhere. "

"Jane, calm down, don't struggle like that, tear off your feathers like a crazy bird."

"I'm not a bird and I'm not trapped. I am a free man with independent will, and now I want to be my own will and leave you. "

I struggled again, took off my body and held my head high in front of him.

"Your will can decide your fate," he said. "I dedicate my hand, my heart and a share of my property to you."

"You are putting on a farce, and I just laughed it off."

"I ask you to spend the rest of your life by my side-to be my other half and the best partner in the world."

"That kind of fate, you have made a choice, you should stick to it."

"Jane, please calm down for a while. You are too excited, I will calm down. "

A gust of wind blew across the laurel path, crossed the swaying branches of aesculus, drifted away-went to the ends of the earth-and disappeared. The nightingale's voice became the only voice at this moment. Listen, listen, I started crying again. Mr. Rochester sat quietly and looked at me kindly and seriously. It was a long time before he spoke. Finally he said:

"Come to me, Jane, and let's explain and understand each other."

"I will never come back to you. I have been taken away and there is no turning back. "

"But, Jane, I asked you to be my wife and I want to marry you."

I didn't say a word and thought he was laughing at me.

"Come here, Jane-come here."

"Your bride is in our way."

He stood up and took a step towards me.

"My bride is here," he said, pulling me to his side again, "because my opponent is here. People like me, Jane, will you marry me?"

I still haven't answered. I still want to get rid of him, because I still don't believe it.

Do you doubt me, Jane?

"Absolutely doubt it."

"You don't believe me?"

"Not at all."

"Do you think I am a liar?" He asked excitedly. "Suspicious little thing, I have to convince you. What love do I have with Miss Ingram? No, then you should know. What love does she have for me? No, I have tried my best to prove it. I put a rumor in her ear that my property is less than one-third of what I expected. Then I showed up to see the results for myself. She and her mother are cold to me. I don't want to-and I can't-marry Miss Ingram. You-you freak-you are almost an elf-I love you as much as my own body. You-poor, obscure, small and ordinary-I beg you to take me as your husband. "

"What, me!" I suddenly cried out. Out of his seriousness, especially his rude words and deeds, I began to believe in his sincerity. "I, I this person in addition to you, don't have a friend,-if you are my friend. There is not a penny except the money you gave me. "

"It's you, Jane. I must let you belong to me, completely to me. Would you? Say' good' quickly. "

"Mr. Rochester, let me see your face. Turn to the side facing the moonlight. "

"Why?"

"Because I want to look at your face carefully, turn!"

"There, all you can see is a torn page. Look down, just hurry up, because I feel uncomfortable. "

His face was full of anxiety, his face was flushed, his facial features twitched violently, and his eyes shone strangely.

"Oh, Jane, you are torturing me!" He shouted. "You look at me with that sharp, generous and credible eyes. You are torturing me! "

"How could I? If you are true and your proposal is true, then my feelings for you will only be gratitude and loyalty-that can't be torture. "

"Thanksgiving!" He blurted out and added crazily-"Jane, please accept me. Say, Edward-call my name-Edward, I will marry you. "

"Are you serious? Do you really love me? -Do you really want me to be your wife? "

"I really am. If it is necessary to swear to satisfy you, then I will swear. "

"Then, sir, I will marry you."

"Edward-my little lady."

"Dear Edward!"

"Come to me-completely." As he spoke, he pressed his cheek against mine and added in a low voice in my ear, "Let me be happy-I will make you happy."

"God, forgive me!" He quickly added, "Others, don't interfere with me. I got her, and I want to hold her tight. "

"No one will interfere, Sir. I have no relatives to intervene. "

"No-that's great." He said. If I didn't love him so much, I would find his tone and ecstatic expression a bit rude. But I woke up from the nightmare of parting, and was given the perfect match, sitting next to him, thinking only of sipping the happy spring. He kept asking, "Are you happy, Jane?" And I answered "yes" again and again. Then he murmured, "Will atone,-will atone. Didn't I find that she had no friends, no comfort and was left out in the cold? I won't protect her, cherish her and comfort her? There is no love in my heart, and my determination is not always the same? Then everything will be compensated in the court of creation. I know that the creator will allow me to do what I want. As for the judgment of the world-I don't care. Other people's opinions-I flatly refuse. "

However, what happened at night? The moon hasn't sunk yet, and we are all lost in the shadows. Although the host is close to me, I can hardly see his face. What's wrong with aesculus? It twisted and groaned, and the wind roared on the laurel path and came straight at us.

"We must go in," said Mr. Rochester. "The weather has changed. Or I can sit with you until dawn, Jane. "

"Me too," I thought. Maybe I should say so, but from the clouds I looked up, there was a lead-gray lightning, followed by a click and rumble nearby. I just want to put my dazzling eyes on Mr. Rochester's shoulder. It was raining cats and dogs, and he urged me to set foot on the path, through the garden and into the house. But we were soaked before we crossed the threshold. In the hall, he took off my shawl and shook off the water droplets on my messy hair. Just then, Mrs Fairfax came out of her room. I didn't notice it at first, and neither did Mr. Rochester. The light is on and the clock is striking twelve.

"Take off your wet clothes quickly," he said. "Say good night before you go-good night, my baby!"

He kissed me, kissed and kissed. I looked up from his arms and saw the widow standing there, pale, serious and surprised. I just smiled at her and ran upstairs. "I can explain next time," I thought. But when I got to the room, I felt a pain when I remembered that she would misunderstand what she saw later. However, joy erased all other feelings. Although in the two-hour storm, the wind was strong, the thunder rumbled, the lightning flashed and the rainstorm was like a note, but I was not afraid, not afraid. During this period, Mr. Rochester visited me three times and asked me if I was safe. Anyway, it gives me comfort and strength.

Before getting up in the morning, little Adele came to tell me that the big horse chestnut at the end of the orchard was split in half by lightning at night.

Jane Eyre is Charlotte's famous work and her masterpiece. This novel portrays a "new woman" and a challenger to Victorian values. Jane Eyre's two behaviors violate Victorian values. The first behavior is "women show love to men"; The second behavior is "women refuse men's love". This is a challenge to Victorian values and an appeal to women to enjoy the same status as men. This is fully reflected in Chapter 23.

Jane Eyre is an orphan. She lost her parents when she was a child. She was adopted by her uncle, placed in a foster home, and suffered various abuses. Later, she was sent to Lowood boarding school. There, she was treated inhumanely for 10 years, which taught Jane knowledge and cultivated her rebellious consciousness. After graduation, Jane applied to be a governess at Thornfield Manor. Rochester, the owner of the manor, saw Jane's delicate and rich inner world and her precious qualities of modesty, courage and independence from her words and deeds, which deeply attracted her. In her contact with Rochester, Jane also realized his inner pain and found something in line with her own spirit, so they fell in love regardless of their identity differences. Jane didn't know his wife's secret until Rochester prepared to hold a wedding in the church. It turned out that the crazy woman in the attic was his wife Jane, who had an accident and ran away from Thornfield Manor. After wandering and suffering, Jane found that the Rivers brothers and sisters who saved her were actually her cousins, and her uncle left her a legacy overseas. Jane generously shared her inheritance with her cousins. Jane's loyalty and selflessness won the admiration of Reverend Rivers, who asked Jane to marry him and go to India to preach and teach together. However, Jane still misses Rochester. She turned down the priest's proposal and returned to Rochester. At this time, Thornfield Manor has been burned into ruins by crazy women, and crazy women have also been buried in the sea of fire. Rochester went bankrupt in the fire, and one hand was blind and disabled. Jane doesn't care about this. Everything is fine with Rochester.

The novel not only describes Jane's abuse and pain, but also describes the discrimination she suffered because of her dependence on others. At the same time, she praised her indomitable fighting spirit and independent self-esteem, and described the enduring and indomitable love between Jane and Rochester.

Chapter 23 was selected. Shortly after Jane came back from menstruation's funeral, she found herself deeply in love with Mr Rochester, but she realized that her love was impossible. So in the face of Mr. Rochester, she desperately asked him for equality and confessed to him.