Jane Eyre

"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will."

[nobird-justjane-blog]

A Literary Meeting- Jane & Louis

From the moment she picked up her first book-not that she could remember what that book was, thoug most likely it was the Bible- Jane looked for solace in the written word in times of need. Luckily, the Grand Aster had a library on the second floor, the very floor on which Jane was staying. What with her sudden departure from Thornfield, her discomfort in this strange, eerie hotel, and her longing for a bit of familiarity, Jane made her way to the library the morning after she arrived at the Aster.

Upon entering, Jane took note of two details; one, the library was as huge as the hallway outside was narrow, which was to say very much so; and two, she was not alone in the room. Sitting in the center of the library, with his back turned toward Jane, stood a gentleman with long, chocolate brown hair upon his head and a book in his hands.

To ignore him would be easy, but Jane never took the easy way out. Besides, the man looked harmless, and so, with silent footsteps that were not purposefully so, Jane approached the gentleman and, upon reaching him, asked, “What are you reading, sir?”

[the-mortal-vampire-blog]

Louis normally would have taken the book that captured his interest back to his own room to read; however, both Lestat and Claudia were present, and the tension was too much for him to bear. He never thought he would long for the old days with a ridiculous nostalgia that often plagued him at unexpected times. Claudia unnerved him and Lestat…still frustrated him endlessly, although it was something that he had long grown accustomed to. Watching him interact with Claudia made him feel strangely wary, as if there was something lingering just beyond their loving father/daughter facade. It was one reason why he didn’t enjoy being around mortals. The playacting disgusted him. 

Unfortunately, there weren’t any chairs or tables hidden in the back of the library, which was where he would have preferred to sit under these circumstances. Louis told himself that it was late in the evening and the likelihood of running into another guest was unlikely. 

He heard the girl approach before she even opened the door. It was one curse (Lestat would call it a gift) of his preternatural state: elevated senses. Even though he had a feeling Lestat’s were much more keen than his own, he still hated the power behind it and rarely employed it purposefully. Claudia always heard things before he did. 

Despite realizing that the girl was approaching him, he made a point not to look up until she asked him a question. Louis disliked speaking to mortals as a rule; he hated when he accidentally mesmerized them or drew unwanted attention. Staying at a hotel made avoiding this this much more difficult. “Lord Tennyson,” he replied in a soft, yet purposeful tone. 

[nobird-justjane-blog]

Jane could take a hint, and this man was giving off many. He simply didn’t want to have a conversation, and she could respect that, having a strong need of privacy herself. This being the case, Jane simply nodded at the man’s quiet, direct response and went on her way.

Although finding a new book always promised the beginning of a marvelous adventure, Jane was in need of something already dear to her heart, as everything else dear was out of arm’s reach now. Today, Jane would need her favorite novel: “Ivanhoe,” by Sir Walter Scott.

Although after about ten minutes she had looked high and low, Jane simply couldn’t find the work beloved by her. She had no choice now, and so she approached the man in the chair once more with a new question: “Sir, would you happen to know where I might find a copy of “Ivanhoe?”

[the-mortal-vampire-blog]

Louis considered leaving after the girl had disappeared into the rows of books, but he decided against it since her presence was hardly offensive. She didn’t launch into a tirade of questions that he had to creatively avoid giving answers to, which was a ploy he  never liked to initiate. The less someone knew about him the better…or so it would seem. 

When she’d circled back around to him, he realized just by her purposeless movements that she was looking for something in particular. He looked up again, frowning thoughtfully, but instead of giving an answer he straightened in the overly plush armchair. With one hand he reached over to slide the top book off the small pile stacked on the table. Underneath it was (apparently the only copy of) Ivanhoe. “Have you read it before?” 

[nobird-justjane-blog]

“Thank you,” said Jane as she was passed the book. As bad as she felt for interrupting the man’s desired silence, was se truly doing anything wrong? She wanted a book; she couldn’t find a book; she asked for a book. It was as simple as that, and so Jane decided that she was officially doing no harm.

“I’ve read it many a time,” she responded to the man’s question, “first when I was eight. I fell in love with it, and now it’s my favorite novel.“  There didn’t seem to be anything else to say to him, and she had successfully found the book she so desired, so Jane gave the man a brisk yet warm, "Good-bye,” then turned to leave.

Yet she couldn’t move. For some unnamed, likely unearthly reason, Jane found herself drawn back to her spot in front of the man in the chair. It wasn’t like he was different from any other man Jane had ever met in her life, though he was, admittedly, quite handsome. Still, it seemed that some strange, otherworldly force wanted Jane to continue speaking to the man. So she did.

“Jane,” she blurted out, in a struggle to find something relatively not-stupid to say, “My name is Jane Eyre. I suppose you’re staying here; I am as well, therefore we might as well introduce each other. What’s your name?”

[the-mortal-vampire-blog]

 “You’re welcome,” Louis replied simply. He had a number of books he intended to read for the evening. Allowing Jane to take one would hardly be a detriment in his plans. There were ten others he could think of to replace that one. Perhaps not quite as good, but he would manage it well enough. He enjoyed the library because it contained different literature than what he could find in New Orleans. The books were newer, which wasn’t particularly significant, but it certainly made him feel more up-to-date on the currently popular writers. “It is a good favorite,” he said, with a small (and rare) smile. “I could hardly imagine reading it at such a tender age.”  

When Jane said her goodbye he nodded, his attention returning almost immediately to the poetry he had been engrossed in only moments earlier. He realized…after it had been a few minutes…that Jane was still standing in front of him. Louis pretended not to notice at first, well aware that his gaze often unnerved mortals and made even the accidental hypnotism even worse. “It is nice to meet you. I am indeed staying here, but not for very long.” He did not introduce himself, despite how it was improper to avoid a lady’s direct question. “What brings you to the city, Mademoiselle Eyre?” 

[nobird-justjane-blog]

Strange indeed: the man, whom she now noted to be French, did not introduce himself at Jane's prompting. A bit rude, yes, but Jane often found rude people to be easier to handle than those who were overly polite. Besides, he may have just forgotten to introduce himself.

"It's quite an odd story, really," she went on, "but a letter arrived inviting Mr. Rochester and I- Mr. Rochester being my fiancée- to the Grand Aster. The letter was signed "your gracious host." Mr. Rochester insisted I leave without him, but he should be arriving himself in a few days' time." She paused, if only to evaluate how insane she must have sounded to this stranger. Women were not supposed to travel at all without chaperones, though Jane did think that was a quite silly societal rule. Still, that, combined with her leaving for a place she had never been before at the invitation of a person she had never met must have made Jane sound terribly- at the very least- foolish and impulsive. But she had said what she had said; there was no taking it back. "That's my story, then. What about you? You certainly don't sound as though you're from the area."

[nobird-justjane-blog]

Midnight Walk-Open

[nobird-justjane-blog]

“Thank you,” said Jane as the young woman opened the kitchen door for her. It was only as she walked in did she realize how strange this must seem; kitchens were for servants, and Jane was a guest. She was used to the servant’s way of life, however, and in many ways preferred it to the life of an aristocratic lady: no one judged you, if only because no one expected anything of you. In response to the woman’s question, Jane said, “I wasn’t. I’d just arrived this morning, you see, and was very tired and had nothing to wear. I don’t quite care for lavish parties anyway…or any parties, really. They don’t frighten me, but they don’t have much appeal either. Did you attend?” Jane took the glass gratefully, thanked the woman, and took a much-needed sip. “My name is Jane, by the way,” she added, “what’s yours?”

[mary-reilly]

“Oh, I understand, miss,” Mary said quickly, unwilling to give the impression that she was prying into the young lady’s private life. She knew better than to ask follow-up questions that might be too personal or seen as nosy to anyone of a higher status than she was (which, at this party, amounted to everyone). No matter how plainly she was dressed compared to the other guests, this definitely included her. 

The response about the party surprised her a bit, but then Mary smiled. “I did attend, but I must. I thought it was…” What was the polite response? She had enjoyed it very much, but she couldn’t imagine being an actual guest. “It was interesting to see.” The different colors and people had been so unlike any experience she’d ever had. That was the main reason why she’d liked it. “My name is Mary.”

[nobird-justjane-blog]

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mary," Jane smiled, and truly it was. Jane had been so afraid that the hotel would be full of haughty, overly-concerned-with-appearance types, which she had never cared for. It was why she had found Rochester's blunt, abrupt manners so- dare she say it?- refreshing the first time she had met him. Mary was different; she had not Rochester's edge, but was softer, more down-to-earth. 'Almost like Helen,' thought Jane.

Then another thought occurred to Jane: Mary, in all likelihood, worked for the hotel; she most likely knew its ins and its outs, and possibly knew of the answer to a question that had been worming its way through Jane's mind for some time. Oh, but how to bring it up?

"It truly is a lovely hotel," she started, "but I recently had no plans to be traveling to London. I was actually preparing to wed, when a letter inviting my fiancée and I to the Grand Aster arrived. He- my fiancée, that is- will be arriving soon, but the point is, the letter was from someone referring to themselves as "your gracious host." Might you know who that is?"

[nobird-justjane-blog]

Midnight Walk-Open

[nobird-justjane-blog]

For a moment, Jane waited in the shadows outside the kitchen as a flurry of feathered ensembles strolled by, returning to their rooms. Once they were gone, Jane turned towards the kitchen’s double doors- and smack into a young woman walking in the same direction.

  “Pardon me,” Jane managed to say, so unprepared was she at the moment to make proper conversation. Still, this woman, most likely the hotel’s maid, could help her navigate the manor much better than she could on her own, for Jane had quite some trouble finding her way from room 207 to the kitchen below. “I was wondering,” Jane continued, “if I could please have a glass of water?”

[mary-reilly]

Mary was surprised by the simplicity of the request, but then she nodded and opened the doors for the girl to go into the kitchen ahead of her. It wasn’t a place she was used to seeing ladies, but she knew she had been on her way inside as it was, and it felt rude to go in ahead of her. “Of course, miss.” 

The kitchen was still bright and a bit untidy from its rushed, continued use. She quietly took one of the glasses from a lower shelf and filled it with cool water. Mary then brought it back to the unfamiliar guest and offered it to her with a kind smile. “Were you at the masquerade, miss?” By the way the girl was dressed, she imagined not - but it surprised her that someone would choose to avoid the event.

[nobird-justjane-blog]

"Thank you," said Jane as the young woman opened the kitchen door for her. It was only as she walked in did she realize how strange this must seem; kitchens were for servants, and Jane was a guest. She was used to the servant's way of life, however, and in many ways preferred it to the life of an aristocratic lady: no one judged you, if only because no one expected anything of you.

In response to the woman's question, Jane said, "I wasn't. I'd just arrived this morning, you see, and was very tired and had nothing to wear. I don't quite care for lavish parties anyway...or any parties, really. They don't frighten me, but they don't have much appeal either. Did you attend?"

Jane took the glass gratefully, thanked the woman, and took a much-needed sip. "My name is Jane, by the way," she added, "what's yours?"

[nobird-justjane-blog]

A Literary Meeting- Jane & Louis

From the moment she picked up her first book-not that she could remember what that book was, thoug most likely it was the Bible- Jane looked for solace in the written word in times of need. Luckily, the Grand Aster had a library on the second floor, the very floor on which Jane was staying. What with her sudden departure from Thornfield, her discomfort in this strange, eerie hotel, and her longing for a bit of familiarity, Jane made her way to the library the morning after she arrived at the Aster.

Upon entering, Jane took note of two details; one, the library was as huge as the hallway outside was narrow, which was to say very much so; and two, she was not alone in the room. Sitting in the center of the library, with his back turned toward Jane, stood a gentleman with long, chocolate brown hair upon his head and a book in his hands.

To ignore him would be easy, but Jane never took the easy way out. Besides, the man looked harmless, and so, with silent footsteps that were not purposefully so, Jane approached the gentleman and, upon reaching him, asked, “What are you reading, sir?”

[the-mortal-vampire-blog]

Louis normally would have taken the book that captured his interest back to his own room to read; however, both Lestat and Claudia were present, and the tension was too much for him to bear. He never thought he would long for the old days with a ridiculous nostalgia that often plagued him at unexpected times. Claudia unnerved him and Lestat…still frustrated him endlessly, although it was something that he had long grown accustomed to. Watching him interact with Claudia made him feel strangely wary, as if there was something lingering just beyond their loving father/daughter facade. It was one reason why he didn’t enjoy being around mortals. The playacting disgusted him. 

Unfortunately, there weren’t any chairs or tables hidden in the back of the library, which was where he would have preferred to sit under these circumstances. Louis told himself that it was late in the evening and the likelihood of running into another guest was unlikely. 

He heard the girl approach before she even opened the door. It was one curse (Lestat would call it a gift) of his preternatural state: elevated senses. Even though he had a feeling Lestat’s were much more keen than his own, he still hated the power behind it and rarely employed it purposefully. Claudia always heard things before he did. 

Despite realizing that the girl was approaching him, he made a point not to look up until she asked him a question. Louis disliked speaking to mortals as a rule; he hated when he accidentally mesmerized them or drew unwanted attention. Staying at a hotel made avoiding this this much more difficult. “Lord Tennyson,” he replied in a soft, yet purposeful tone. 

[nobird-justjane-blog]

Jane could take a hint, and this man was giving off many. He simply didn’t want to have a conversation, and she could respect that, having a strong need of privacy herself. This being the case, Jane simply nodded at the man’s quiet, direct response and went on her way.

Although finding a new book always promised the beginning of a marvelous adventure, Jane was in need of something already dear to her heart, as everything else dear was out of arm’s reach now. Today, Jane would need her favorite novel: “Ivanhoe,” by Sir Walter Scott.

Although after about ten minutes she had looked high and low, Jane simply couldn’t find the work beloved by her. She had no choice now, and so she approached the man in the chair once more with a new question: “Sir, would you happen to know where I might find a copy of “Ivanhoe?”

[the-mortal-vampire-blog]

Louis considered leaving after the girl had disappeared into the rows of books, but he decided against it since her presence was hardly offensive. She didn’t launch into a tirade of questions that he had to creatively avoid giving answers to, which was a ploy he  never liked to initiate. The less someone knew about him the better…or so it would seem. 

When she’d circled back around to him, he realized just by her purposeless movements that she was looking for something in particular. He looked up again, frowning thoughtfully, but instead of giving an answer he straightened in the overly plush armchair. With one hand he reached over to slide the top book off the small pile stacked on the table. Underneath it was (apparently the only copy of) Ivanhoe. “Have you read it before?” 

[nobird-justjane-blog]

"Thank you," said Jane as she was passed the book. As bad as she felt for interrupting the man's desired silence, was se truly doing anything wrong? She wanted a book; she couldn't find a book; she asked for a book. It was as simple as that, and so Jane decided that she was officially doing no harm.

"I've read it many a time," she responded to the man's question, "first when I was eight. I fell in love with it, and now it's my favorite novel."  There didn't seem to be anything else to say to him, and she had successfully found the book she so desired, so Jane gave the man a brisk yet warm, "Good-bye," then turned to leave.

Yet she couldn't move. For some unnamed, likely unearthly reason, Jane found herself drawn back to her spot in front of the man in the chair. It wasn't like he was different from any other man Jane had ever met in her life, though he was, admittedly, quite handsome. Still, it seemed that some strange, otherworldly force wanted Jane to continue speaking to the man. So she did.

"Jane," she blurted out, in a struggle to find something relatively not-stupid to say, "My name is Jane Eyre. I suppose you're staying here; I am as well, therefore we might as well introduce each other. What's your name?"

[nobird-justjane-blog]

A Literary Meeting- Jane & Louis

From the moment she picked up her first book-not that she could remember what that book was, thoug most likely it was the Bible- Jane looked for solace in the written word in times of need. Luckily, the Grand Aster had a library on the second floor, the very floor on which Jane was staying. What with her sudden departure from Thornfield, her discomfort in this strange, eerie hotel, and her longing for a bit of familiarity, Jane made her way to the library the morning after she arrived at the Aster.

Upon entering, Jane took note of two details; one, the library was as huge as the hallway outside was narrow, which was to say very much so; and two, she was not alone in the room. Sitting in the center of the library, with his back turned toward Jane, stood a gentleman with long, chocolate brown hair upon his head and a book in his hands.

To ignore him would be easy, but Jane never took the easy way out. Besides, the man looked harmless, and so, with silent footsteps that were not purposefully so, Jane approached the gentleman and, upon reaching him, asked, “What are you reading, sir?”

[the-mortal-vampire-blog]

Louis normally would have taken the book that captured his interest back to his own room to read; however, both Lestat and Claudia were present, and the tension was too much for him to bear. He never thought he would long for the old days with a ridiculous nostalgia that often plagued him at unexpected times. Claudia unnerved him and Lestat…still frustrated him endlessly, although it was something that he had long grown accustomed to. Watching him interact with Claudia made him feel strangely wary, as if there was something lingering just beyond their loving father/daughter facade. It was one reason why he didn’t enjoy being around mortals. The playacting disgusted him. 

Unfortunately, there weren’t any chairs or tables hidden in the back of the library, which was where he would have preferred to sit under these circumstances. Louis told himself that it was late in the evening and the likelihood of running into another guest was unlikely. 

He heard the girl approach before she even opened the door. It was one curse (Lestat would call it a gift) of his preternatural state: elevated senses. Even though he had a feeling Lestat’s were much more keen than his own, he still hated the power behind it and rarely employed it purposefully. Claudia always heard things before he did. 

Despite realizing that the girl was approaching him, he made a point not to look up until she asked him a question. Louis disliked speaking to mortals as a rule; he hated when he accidentally mesmerized them or drew unwanted attention. Staying at a hotel made avoiding this this much more difficult. “Lord Tennyson,” he replied in a soft, yet purposeful tone. 

[nobird-justjane-blog]

Jane could take a hint, and this man was giving off many. He simply didn't want to have a conversation, and she could respect that, having a strong need of privacy herself. This being the case, Jane simply nodded at the man's quiet, direct response and went on her way.

Although finding a new book always promised the beginning of a marvelous adventure, Jane was in need of something already dear to her heart, as everything else dear was out of arm's reach now. Today, Jane would need her favorite novel: "Ivanhoe," by Sir Walter Scott.

Although after about ten minutes she had looked high and low, Jane simply couldn't find the work beloved by her. She had no choice now, and so she approached the man in the chair once more with a new question: "Sir, would you happen to know where I might find a copy of "Ivanhoe?"

[nobird-justjane-blog]

A Literary Meeting- Jane & Louis

From the moment she picked up her first book-not that she could remember what that book was, thoug most likely it was the Bible- Jane looked for solace in the written word in times of need. Luckily, the Grand Aster had a library on the second floor, the very floor on which Jane was staying. What with her sudden departure from Thornfield, her discomfort in this strange, eerie hotel, and her longing for a bit of familiarity, Jane made her way to the library the morning after she arrived at the Aster.

Upon entering, Jane took note of two details; one, the library was as huge as the hallway outside was narrow, which was to say very much so; and two, she was not alone in the room. Sitting in the center of the library, with his back turned toward Jane, stood a gentleman with long, chocolate brown hair upon his head and a book in his hands.

To ignore him would be easy, but Jane never took the easy way out. Besides, the man looked harmless, and so, with silent footsteps that were not purposefully so, Jane approached the gentleman and, upon reaching him, asked, "What are you reading, sir?"

[nobird-justjane-blog]

Troubled- Jane & Lestat

Jane had grown up without practically an ounce of love since the age of two, the year her dear Uncle Reed died, and so she had developed quite the knack for masking her pain. This, though, may have pushed her over the edge.

  And why shouldn't it have? Life for Jane had finally been falling into place: she was to have a loving husband in Rochester, a home to call her own in Thornfield Hall...why, she was even to become Adèle's mother. To think, Jane Eyre, the dictionary definition of "motherless," was to have a child herself! But that child was far away from her now, as well as that home and loving almost-husband, and oh, how Jane wished they could all be near.

But then, if it had not been for Rochester himself, Jane wouldn't be here at all, would she? Had the letter arrived to her whilst she was living alone, she would have declined. So that begged the question: why did Rochester want Jane to go to the Grand Aster so badly? He knew how badly Jane wanted to see the world, yes, but surely he also knew this wasn't what she meant.

  'Or maybe,' thought Jane, 'I haven't seen enough to know what I want to see...'

All these grim, confusing thoughts caused Jane to walk with her head done, which in turn caused her to nearly collide with a tall, blonde man walking down the same hallway. "Beg your pardon, sir," said Jane, before starting off on her way once more.

[nobird-justjane-blog]

Midnight Walk-Open

‘Thanks be to God,’ thought Jane, ‘it must be over.’

Introverted, socially awkward Jane had, as if by a wicked chance of fate, arrived at the Grand Aster on the same date as there was to be a masquerade ball. Luckily, she was able to claim lack of both rest and a proper costume as reasons to stay confined in her new room for the night. This meant, however, Jane would suffer from not just the lack of company she so craved from her beloved Rochester, but also lack of food and water. Her stomach grumbled. Her pallet dried. Sooner or later, Jane would have to leave her room.

Eventually, the elegant yet awfully loud music from downstairs stopped, as well as the chitter and chatter of gossip and small talk. The masquerade was over, Jane decided, and she was free to leave her room.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The clock struck thrice as Jane hesitantly made her way into the dim, narrow hallway. ‘Surely it cannot be three in the morning already?’ she thought. And it wasn’t.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

It was midnight.

Jane then dashed, quietly as she could, down to where she had seen the kitchen upon arrival. Surely, she could find some refreshments there.

[mary-reilly]

While the rest of the maids stayed behind to see off the guests and begin to tedious task of tidying up the largest room she had ever seen, Mary went ahead to the kitchens to prepare for the never-ending cycle of dishes, silver cutlery and champagne flutes. The party had been exciting and she’d enjoyed watching the people and their bright fans and colorful feathers. Some of the masks had been beautiful, some frightening - but they had all been different, and none quite like what she’d gotten her Master. Without realizing what she’d been doing, she’d kept an eye on him. It was as if her gaze had intentions of its own, tracking the movements of her employer on pure instinct despite how she was technically on the hotel’s payroll. He had been generous to allow her to go. 

She had just reached the double doors of the kitchens when she nearly collided with a young lady she hadn’t even heard coming. “Oh! Excuse me, Miss,” she said quickly. It was by pure luck that Mary didn’t have anything in her hands. In her haste to get the kitchen prepared for what would be hours of washing, she hadn’t bothered to grab anything on her way out. “Is there something I can help you with?” She offered politely, even though she was still finding her own way around the hotel. 

[nobird-justjane-blog]

For a moment, Jane waited in the shadows outside the kitchen as a flurry of feathered ensembles strolled by, returning to their rooms. Once they were gone, Jane turned towards the kitchen's double doors- and smack into a young woman walking in the same direction.

  "Pardon me," Jane managed to say, so unprepared was she at the moment to make proper conversation. Still, this woman, most likely the hotel's maid, could help her navigate the manor much better than she could on her own, for Jane had quite some trouble finding her way from room 207 to the kitchen below. "I was wondering," Jane continued, "if I could please have a glass of water?"

[the-library-and-step-on-it]

The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad - as I am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth - so I have always believed, and if I cannot believe it now, it is because I am insane - quite insane: with my veins running fire, and my heart beating faster than I can count its throbs. Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by: there I plant my foot.

Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë. (via the-library-and-step-on-it)

[the-grand-aster]

❝I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.❞

Name: Jane Eyre Age: 20 Occupation: Soon-to-be mistress of Thornfield Hall

History

Life was never easy on Jane, and because of this she decided not to go easy on it. Physically abused by her cousin, John Reed, and emotionally by his sisters and mother, Eliza, Georgiana, and Mrs. Reed, young Jane decided she could take no more one day, giving her aunt one final piece of her mind before being sent to Lowood Institute, a “charity school” for young girls, run by the cruel, hypocritical Mr. Brocklehurst. Sadly, Jane was not able to find much comfort here, either, save for the care and tutelage provided by Miss Temple, the headmistress, and the love and wisdom provided by Helen Burns. The latter died early on in life, but Jane still considers Helen her best, and only, friend.

Years passed by, and as Jane studied at Lowood, and later became a teacher at the institution, she decided she wanted to see more of the world. The part of the world she was given to see was Thornfield Hall, a manor on the moors owned by the mysterious Mr. Edward Rochester. Jane was to be the governess of his former mistress’s daughter, Adèle. Though his teasing of her and flirtation with the glamorous Blanche Ingram hurt Jane, she found it in her heart to forgive him when he professed his love to her, for Jane felt the same way towards him.

Now Jane is soon to be Mrs. Rochester and the mistress of Thornfield. Wedding preparations were being quickly made until a mysterious letter arrived, inviting Rochester to an estate known as the Grand Aster. Although Jane asked many a time, Rochester refused to answer on the matter of if he knew anything about this place or its denizens, Roderick and Madeline Usher. He did, however, insist that Jane travel to the estate alone, and that he would meet her there soon after. There was last-minute business to be taken care of, he said. This would act as her formal introduction to high society, he said.  Jane isn’t sure what to believe, but she sincerely hopes her fiancée isn’t spending his alone time with a mistress from the continent…or worse, cleaning skeletons out of his closet…

Strengths

Jane’s greatest strength would most likely be her strength of character. She is phenomenally resilient, and is able to get through just about anything life throws at her.

Jane’s mind is wondrous, both in its keen intellect and vast imagination. This has made Jane equal parts practical and soulful.

Thanks to the wisdom imparted upon her by one Helen Burns, Jane knows how to forgive those who have hurt her. This was best shown when Jane left Thornfield Hall to return to Gateshead, the home of Mrs. Reed, to attend to the old, dying woman who abused her so.

Jane may appear quiet and soft-spoken, but don’t underestimate her. She has a passionate heart, and will willingly stand up for what she believes in.

Weaknesses

Jane is plain. This has been made clear to her since she was small, when her frillier cousins compared their own fluffy curls and rosy cheeks to Jane’s limp locks and near-sickly complexion.

Thanks to a life of mistreatment by many of them, Jane doesn’t always know what to do around people; that is to say, she doesn’t really have the most graceful social skills.

Jane has a strong desire to feel desired, and although she has found true love with Mr. Rochester, she still feels awfully lonely at times…many times, in fact. She worries that this trip alone to the Grand Aster will make these feelings worse.

Why, Jane bears an uncanny resemblance to Carey Mulligan! She is currently unavailable.

[a-sacrifice-i-am-willing-to-make]

I do not think, sir, you have any right to command me, merely because you are older than I, or because you have seen more of the world than I have; your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience

Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre (via a-sacrifice-i-am-willing-to-make)

[nobird-justjane-blog]

Midnight Walk-Open

'Thanks be to God,' thought Jane, 'it must be over.' Introverted, socially awkward Jane had, as if by a wicked chance of fate, arrived at the Grand Aster on the same date as there was to be a masquerade ball. Luckily, she was able to claim lack of both rest and a proper costume as reasons to stay confined in her new room for the night. This meant, however, Jane would suffer from not just the lack of company she so craved from her beloved Rochester, but also lack of food and water. Her stomach grumbled. Her pallet dried. Sooner or later, Jane would have to leave her room. Eventually, the elegant yet awfully loud music from downstairs stopped, as well as the chitter and chatter of gossip and small talk. The masquerade was over, Jane decided, and she was free to leave her room. Clang! Clang! Clang! The clock struck thrice as Jane hesitantly made her way into the dim, narrow hallway. 'Surely it cannot be three in the morning already?' she thought. And it wasn't. Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! It was midnight. Jane then dashed, quietly as she could, down to where she had seen the kitchen upon arrival. Surely, she could find some refreshments there.