Vocabulary and Review Questions
Chapter 1
Vocabulary
antipathy– having a strong dislike
bilious– bad tempered
bleared– blurred
borne– taken along
cavilers– to criticize, object
diffidence– shyness, insecurity
fervently– earnestly
gallows– a structure made for hanging people
impudence– boldness, rudeness, nerve
lamentable– mooring, wailing
lineaments– facial features
melancholy– depressed, sad
moreen– a heavy woolen cloth
predominated– controlled
pungent– a strong taste or smell
sprightly– lively, nimble
subjoined– to add to the ends
sweetmeats– candy; candied fruit
thence– from there
torpid– inactive, sluggish
tottered– stumbled, faltered
tyrant– a cruel authoritarian figure
vignettes– small designs on pages of a book
visage– an appearance, face
Review Questions
- Why does Jane enjoy looking at the pictures in the book History of British Birds?
- Support the following statement: John Reed is mean and spoiled.
- Why does John feel justified in picking on Jane? How does he get away with tormenting her?
- What two things does Jane do to defend herself? After the fight how does she hear herself described?
- Define physiognomy.
Chapter 2
Vocabulary
abhor– despise, disgust
acrid– biting, bitter, harsh
artifice– scheme, trick
captious– critical; fault-finding
disposed– likely to
divers– various
duplicity-– deception
heterogeneous– coming from inside
ignominy– humiliation; disgrace
imp– a small evil spirit, devil
incredulous– disbelieving
influx– flowing in
insolent– insulting
instigated– urged into
ire– anger, wrath
opprobrium– disgrace, shame
peremptorily– with finality
precocious– developed early
preternatural– abnormal, unusual
propensities– talents, abilities
retrospective– thinking of past times
sanguine– cheerful, hopeful
trifle– a small amount
tumult– disorder, turmoil, commotion
turbid– cloudy, murky
uncongenial– not melted or thawed
vassalage– allegiance; dependence
virulent– lethal; poisonous; hateful
Review Questions
- Who is Bessie? What does she say about the importance of money in Victorian times?
- How is Jane hurt? What is the extent of her injury?
- Describe the red room. Why is it seldom entered?
- Briefly describe the personalities of Eliza, Georgiana, and John.
- Why does Mrs. Reed permit Jane to live in Gateshead Hall?
- What makes Jane think Mr. Reed’s spirit might rise before her in the chamber?
- What does Jane see that scares her? What does she do?
- Does Jane see a ghost, which is not unusual in a Gothic novel, or is it only her own active imagination?
- What does Jane do when Mrs. Reed refuses to release her from the red room?
Chapter 3
Vocabulary
apothecary– a pharmacist
bunglingly– inefficiently
cadence– rhythm
caste– social class
civility– politeness, refines
convolvuli– a type of funnel-shaped flower
curacy– the office of a minister (curate)
debasing– lowering
degradation– a demotion, mortification
diminutive– small
emboldened– encouraged
emulation– an ambitious rivalry
enounced– declared
fervent– passionate
interposed– introduced
malevolent– wishing evil, spiteful
propensities– abilities
reverberation– an effect, repercussion
typhus– an infectious disease
Review Questions
- Who is Mr. Lloyd? Why is a physician not called?
- The novel is written in first-person narration. How does the narration change in the following passage? “No severe or prolonged bodily illness followed this incident of the red-room; it only gave my nerves a shock, of which I feel the reverberation to this day. Yes, Mrs. Reed, to you I owe some fearful pangs of mental suffering.” (Pg. 24)
- State a theme for this novel, using the following quotation: “Vain favor! coming, like most other favors long deferred and often wished for, too late!” (Pg. 25)
- Find an example of an allusion on page 25. Why does Jane think the elves are all gone out of England?
- List the reasons Bessie thinks Jane is crying. Why do you think Mr. Lloyd asks Bessie to leave him alone with Jane.
- Why does Jane not want to go live with her Eyre relations?
- What does Jane learn about her parents from Mrs. Abbott?
- When Mr. Lloyd mentions Jane going to school, what is Jane’s image of school?
Chapter 4
Vocabulary
audacious– shameless
capricious– changeable, fickle
congealed– thickened
contrived– created, invented
execrations– things cursed or detested
exult– to rejoice
fain– willing, eager
fiendish– cruel, wicked
habituated– customary, routine
irksome– annoying, harassing
judicious– prudent, sensible
mandate– an instruction
parterre– an arrangement of flower beds
piety– religiousness
poltroon– a coward
recompense– a reward, compensation
ruth– compassion
tenantry– inhabitants, occupants
transitory– brief, fleeting
usurious– lending money at high interest rates
vehement– passionate
venturesome– adventurous
Review Questions
- What does Jane say to Mrs. Reed that causes her to box Jane’s ears?
- State a theme for this story based on Jane’s loneliness described on pages 32-33.
- Why does Jane like Bessie?
- Briefly describe Mr. Brocklehurst. Why is he at Gateshead?
- Define deceit. Why does Jane think Mrs. Reed is “sowing aversion and unkindness” toward her in Mr. Brocklehurst’s mind? (Pg. 37)
- How does Mrs. Reed want Jane trained at Lowood?
- What do you think is the cruelest part of Jane’s life at Gateshead?
- Why does Jane feel a sense of freedom after telling off Mrs. Reed?
- Afterwards, what doubts about herself and her own nature does Jane have?
Chapter 5
Vocabulary
abominable– hateful, loathsome
benevolent– kind, charitable
benignant– showing a good feeling
buxom– plump, healthy
cessation– an ending
conjecture– a conclusion, theory
conning– studying; examining
countenance– a facial expression
deal– wood (usually pine or fir)
draught– a swallow, drink
frieze– a thick wool cloth
gait– a manner of walking
hardihood– boldness
ignominious– disgrace
inanition– the state of being exhausted from lack of food or water
inclement– severe, cruel
indefatigable– tireless, constant
manifestation– evidence, sign
morose– surly, gloomy
mullioned– vertical
pelisses– a long robe
pervading– filling every part
preternatural– unnatural, abnormal
quelled– overcame, stopped
redolent– strong scented
regaled– entertained
relinquished– gave up, abandoned
ruddy– having a reddish color
throng– a mass, horde
traversed– crossed, passed through
trifling– trivial
veneration– worshipful or reverential respect
Review Questions
- What is unusual about Jane’s trip to Lowood?
- Briefly describe Miss Miller.
- Define the word “Collect” as it is used in the following quotation: “Business now began: the day’s Collect was repeated, then certain texts of Scripture were said…” (Pg. 47)
- Briefly describe Miss Temple. Why does she order a lunch for the students?
- What does Jane notice about the garden? Why is Lowood called an institution?
- What subjects do Miss Smith, Miss Scatcherd, and Madame Pierrot teach?
- What is strange about the way the girl Jane meets in the garden handles her punishment during history class?
- What seems to be the author’s attitude about charity in this chapter?
Chapter 6
Vocabulary
abhor– loathe, disgust
animadversions– criticisms
assiduity– carefulness, diligence
chastiser– a punisher; one who disciplines
cumbrous– heavy, burdensome
disconsolate– unhappy, restless
ewers– water pitchers
expostulations– protestations
forbearance– restraint
impalpable– imaginary
meed– a reward
prerogatives– privileges
reverie– a daydream
seraph– highest rank of angels
skein– a small bunch of yarn
slatternly– not neat, untidy
truculent– harsh, cruel
Review Questions
- Why is Helen Burns punished when she knows the answers to Miss Scatcherd’s questions about Charles I? How is she punished? Why do you suppose the teacher picks on Helen?
- What explanation does Helen give for enduring her punishment from Miss Scatcherd without complaining.
- In what modern sense is Helen a perfect victim?
- State a theme for this story based on the following passage: “A great deal: you are good to those who are good to you. It is all I ever desire to be. If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust, the wicked people would have it all their own way: they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse.” (Pg. 59)
- What is your reaction to Helen’s response? She says, “Would you not be happier if you tried to forget her severity, together with the passionate emotions it excited? Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs.” (Pg. 60)
- Define “seraph” and “cumbrous.” What evidence is there that the author believes in a happy afterlife?
Chapter 7
Vocabulary
bounteous– generous, plentiful
chidden– blamed, scolded
chilblains– a condition that affects the skin, similar to frostbite
deferentially– respectfully
edification– improvement
effluence– an outpouring
en masse– all together
evince– to show
ermine– a type of weasel (fur)
excrescence– unwanted growth
exigency– urgency
fortitude– bravery, strength
hebdomadal– weekly
interloper– an intruder
knell– a solemn bell toll (usually for a funeral)
lineaments– facial features
moiety– half
obtrusive– noticeable
obviating– preventing
palsy– muscle paralysis
pathos– feeling sympathy, pity
penurios– stingy
perfidious– treacherous
pious– sacred, holy
plumage– feathers
privation– deprivation
remonstrate– to object, protest
repast– a meal
Rubicon– the point of no return
solace– comfort
stalwart– strong, sturdy
sturtout– [surtout] an overcoat
tresses– locks of hair
triviality– unimportance
tuckers– a piece of fabric worn by women around the neck and shoulders
Review Questions
- How does the narration change in the following passage? Why do you think the author changes the way the story is told? “Sometimes their feet failed them, and they sank together in a heap; they were then propped up with the monitors’ high stools. I have not yet alluded to the visits of Mr. Brocklehurst; and indeed that gentleman was from home during the greater part of the first month after my arrival…” (Pg. 64)
- What is the weather like in January, February, and March? Why are Sundays “dreary days”? (Pg. 63)
- What does Mr. Brocklehurst find fault with when he returns to the school Why is Miss Temple amused?
- After his return, how does Mr. Brocklehurst humiliate Jane? Why does he do this?
- What does Helen do to help Jane?
- State a theme for this story based on the following passage expressing Jane’s opinion of Helen. “What a smile! I remember it now, and I know that it was the effluence of fine intellect, of true courage: it lit up her marked lineaments, her thin face, her sunken gray eye, like a reflection from the aspect of an angel. Yet at that moment Helen Burns wore on her arm ‘the untidy badge’; scarcely an hour ago I had heard her condemned by Miss Scatcherd….Such is the imperfect nature of man! such spots are there on the disc of the clearest planet; and eyes like Miss Scatcherd’s can only see those minute defects, and are blind to the full brightness of the orb.” (Pgs. 69-70)
- Find an example of a metaphor in the quotation in Question 6.
Chapter 8
Vocabulary
approbation– approval
ardently– eagerly, passionately
construe– to translate; explain
corroborate– to support
eloquence– skilful speech, powerful communication skills
fervid– passionate
imputation– a charge of wrongdoing
mien– manner
pasteboard– stiff cardboard
pensive– thoughtful, contemplative
phylactery– an object worn or kept because it is believed to have magical powers
prostrate– lying face down
slattern– a derogatory term for an untidy or dirty woman
smote– struck
sovereign– supreme
supplication– a request
tenacious– able to retain
veneration– love
Review Questions
- Why does Helen think many of the girls at the school pity Jane?
- In the following quotation, what friends will Jane have even if the whole world hates her? “If all the world hated you, and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved you, and absolved you from guilt, you would not be without friends.” (Pg. 72)
- Why does Jane’s description of her childhood at Gateshead sound credible to Miss Temple?
- What is Miss Temple’s plan to clear Jane?
- Why do you think Miss Temple breathes a “sad sigh” when she says good night to Helen? (Pg. 76)
- Find a metaphor on page 77 defining why Jane prefers Lowood to Gateshead.
Chapter 9
Vocabulary
ameliorated– improved
asunder– apart
beck– a creek
contagion– an infection
dell– a wooded valley
eddies– small whirlpools
effluvia– a slight or invisible exhalation or vapor, esp. one that is disagreeable or noxious
evinced– showed clearly
genial– cheerful
gulf– a deep cut in the ground
holm– a small island in a river
implicitly– absolutely
indisposed– reluctant, unwilling
malady– a disease, sickness
mast– forest nuts
pastil– [pastille] a type of medication
pervaded– penetrated
pestilence– a sickness that spreads quickly
repose– calmness, tranquility; rest
throes– spasm; difficult struggle
tresses– [archaic] braids
typhus– a highly contagious disease
verdure– lush vegetation, greenness
Review Questions
- Find an example of local color in Chapter 9. What relationship is there between the condition of the plants and Jane’s happiness?
- How does Brontë tie nature in with the sickness which infests the hospital?
- Who is Mary Ann Wilson? Why does Jane not play with Helen?
- Why does Helen say her death is “nothing to grieve about”? (Pg. 84)
- Find a quotation in this chapter that appears to show that Charlotte Brontë believed in a loving God.
- What is Jane’s view about God at this point?
Chapter 10
Vocabulary
barrister– a lawyer
brackish– salty, tainted
burgh– a town, city
conveyance– transportation
debarrassed– relieved
dissipated– lost
effusion– an outpouring of liquid
environs– environments, places
exultingly– triumphantly
ferret– to hunt, find
fetid– bad-smelling
gentry– people in high social standing
imbibed– ingested
indignation– anger
latterly– lately
mediatrix– a female mediator
ostensible– pretended, feigned
per annum– annually, yearly
post-chaise– a covered, horse-drawn carriage
rapturously– very joyously
scourge– an outbreak of sickness
scrape– a fight
servitude– bondage
sidling– sliding
soliloquized– spoken aloud to oneself
soporific– sleepy; causing one to be sleepy
sublunary– under the moon, earthly
surmount– climb over, overcome
virulence– harmfulness, deadliness
zeal– passion, eagerness
Review Questions
- What changes for the better happen at Lowood as a result of the typhus epidemic?
- Support the following statement with a quotation: Jane would not have left Lowood if Miss Temple had not married.
- What does Jane do to get a new place of employment?
- Who does Jane need to consult before she is free to accept her new position?
- How are the Reed children doing? Why do you think Bessie names her daughter Jane?
- Support the following statement: Jane’s best subject in school is art.
- What relative of Jane’s visited Gateshead?
Chapter 11
Vocabulary
affable– gentle
alighted– exited a vehicle; dismounted
amiable– pleasant, warm
antiquity– ancient times
apparition– a spirit
azure– blue
battlements– an architectural element usually built around the tops of castles for defense purposes
boudoir– a woman’s private sitting or dressing room
cachinnation– loud laughter
canzonette– a type of song
ceiled– covered with a ceiling
cherubs– angels
chintz– a bright-colored fabric
clamorous– loud
condescension– the act of treating a person as if he or she is inferior; patronization
craggy– having an uneven or rocky surface
cuirass– a piece of armor that protects the chest and back
demurely– modestly, shyly
docile– teachable
dun– a dull brownish-gray
ebon– black, dark
effaced– erased
effigies– images
etymology– the history of a word
garret– an attic
glean– to gather, collect
hamlet– a small village
hoary– light-colored with age
implore– to ask, plead
incumbent– specific to
injudicious– a lack of good judgment, unfair judgment
inured– to become accustomed to something that is undesirable
mirthless– without joy
pallid– pale
perfidy– disloyalty, infidelity
perusal– an examination
propitious– promising
proprietor– an owner
rookery– the place where rooks (birds) nest
salient– apparent
sere– dry
spar– a nonmetallic, transparent material
swathed– wrapped up
unimpeachable– free of guilt
venerable– ancient
warbled– sang
ward– a minor placed under the care of a guardian
Review Questions
- Why does Jane think Mrs. Fairfax will be comfortable to live with?What is her role at Thornfield?
- Why can Mrs. Fairfax not converse equally with Leah, John, and his wife?
- What is Jane’s room like? Why does Mrs. Fairfax select a small room for the governess?
- Describe the exterior of the mansion? How did it get its name?
- Who is Miss Adéle, and what is her relationship to Mr. Rochester? What does the school-room look like?
- Why does Mrs. Fairfax keep the dining room clean even when Mr. Rochester is not in the house? How can your answer to this question be an example of foreshadowing?
- How does Mrs. Fairfax explain the lack of a ghost at Thornfield? What unexpected noise does Jane hear while exploring the third story?
- Who is Grace Poole?
Chapter 12
Vocabulary
accorded– granted
antipathetic– detestable
ardor– passion, enthusiasm
belfry– a bell tower
belied– disproved, proved to be false
boles– tree trunks
covet– to desire
dales– valleys
deuce– [slang] devil
din– noise
ferment– to become excited or agitated
gallantry– bravery, courage
hoary– white in color
homage– honor, respect
incarnate– bodily
injudicious– unwise, lack of judgment
ireful– full of anger
mantle– a cloak, covering
merino– a type of wool
officious– offering advice, helpful
pliability– flexibility, suppleness
pollard– a tree purposely cut back to produce thick growth
prattle– to talk of unimportant or mundane subjects
prostrate– lying flat
raiment– clothes, garments
reverence– honor, respect
ruddy– reddish; rosy
russet– brown in color
scrutiny– a close examination
sequestered– isolated
sough– a soft murmuring sound
stagnation– staleness
stile– steps used to cross over a fence or wall
tenanted– occupied
thwarted– frustrated; defeated
vale– a valley
vapid– dull
vocation– a desire, inclination
zenith– the highest point in the sky
Review Questions
- Although Jane is happy at Thornfield, what is lacking in her life?
- State a generalization from this novel based on the last full paragraph on page 112. What does the author say about women’s rights in Victorian society?
- Why does Jane walk to Hay? Why is she apprehensive when she hears a horse approaching?
- Briefly describe Pilot and the fallen rider. What about his appearance makes Jane bold enough to offer assistance to the rider?
- How does Jane discover the fallen rider is Mr. Rochester?
- What is your opinion of Mr. Rochester and his behavior?
Chapter 13
Vocabulary
requisition– demand
discerned– detected
rill– a small brook
shrewdly– knowingly, wisely
prenomens– first names
cessation– a conclusion, ending
mosaic– a collection of pictures or designs that overlap to form one piece of art
jetty– black in color
decisive– authoritative; firm
denoting– indicating
choler– irritability, annoyance
divested– stripped, rid
physiognomy– facial features that show qualities of mind of character
accost– to attack
disembarrassed– relieved
caprice– the act of changing one’s mind quickly
quiescence– stillness, quietness
eccentricity– peculiarity, quirkiness
piquant– interesting
amiable– friendly
trite– dully, in a tired way
condoled– expressed sorrow
perseverance– persistence
rejoinder– a reply
assiduous– diligent
celerity– quick movements
propitious– appropriate, favorable
cadeaux– [French] gifts
irate– angry, enraged
clamorously– noisily
meed– a reward
consoles– tables
chiffonnieres– tall chests of drawers
tenacious– tough; obstinate, headstrong
eulogiums– praises
religieuses– nuns
blasphemous– sacrilegious
inditing– writing
assented– agreed
eclipse– clouds, overcast
cormorant– a large type of sea bird
palette– an artist’s board (usually with a thumbhole) used for holding different colors
lineaments– facial features
suffusion– overspreading
travail– a hardship
pinnacle– a peak
muster– a gathering
serried– together
sable– black or dark in color
lurid– colorful
diademed– crowned
quells– suppresses
brook– to tolerate
fortnight– approximately two weeks
evasive– vague
averred– declared
Review Questions
- Why does Jane like Thornfi eld better after Mr. Rochester arrives?
- How does Mr. Rochester behave when Jane and Mrs. Fairfax join him for tea? Why does his attitude put Jane at ease?
- What compliment does Mr. Rochester give Jane?
- Support the following statement: Mr. Rochester is teasing Jane and enjoying their conversation.
- Why does Jane paint? What does Mr. Rochester think of her work?
- What family problems did Mr. Edward Rochester have before becoming master of Thornfield?
- How does Mr. Rochester’s mood change?
Chapter 14
Vocabulary
adventitious– accidental
affability– friendliness
affectation– artificial behavior used to impress
alternation– a change, rotation
arrogate– to assume
ascertained– determined
atone– to make up for
auditress– a female listener, hearer
austere– harsh, severe
bane– ruin, harm, hurt
benevolent– kind
bent– instinct
blunder– a mistake
bonny– handsome, pretty, fine
breadth– distance, width
brusque– abrupt, curt
cankering– decaying, rotting
charnel– a place to be buried
chasséed– quick, gliding steps, a move in ballet
chink– a crack
complacent– eager to please
conspicuous– obvious
damask– thoroughly patterned fabric
degenerated– declined
deigned– descended to a level lower than one’s dignity; stooped
deity– a god, divinity
deliberated– considered, thought
disemboweling– tearing something apart (usually referring to removing innards from)
dissipations– foolish pleasures
dross– wasted material, rubbish
ebb– to decline; fall back
enigmatical– riddled, puzzling
entrails– intestines and organs
expiating– amending, fixing
fallible– able to make a mistake
festal– a festival, holiday
flint– a mineral used to spark a fire
galled– annoyed, disturbed
generalities– the majority
gregarious– outgoing, sociable
hackneyed– commonplace; used often
hector– to annoy, tease
impediment– an obstacle
importunes– annoys
impromptu– an unrehearsed exclamation, improvisation
inclement– nasty, stormy
insolence– rudeness
insolent– rude
interlocutrice– a person to talk with (usually a woman)
intrinsic– innate, natural
irrevocably– irreversibly
limpid– clear
malevolent– evil
mercenary– one who works for pay
moor– open grassy land
neophyte– an amateur, novice, apprentice
ore– a mineral that bears metallic properties: aluminum, iron, tin, copper, etc.
palliate– make to seem less severe
paltry– trivial
pervious– approachable
philanthropist– a person who loves mankind and devotes time and money to help others
piqued– annoyed
placidity– calmness, tranquility
prominences– distinctions
rejoinder– an answer
renconter– [rencounter] an unplanned meeting
repartee– a funny reply
repletion– fullness
ribaldry– indecency; mocking manner
sage– a wise person
salubrious– healthy
self-indulgent– indulging in one’s own desires, passions, whims, etc., especially without restraint
sententious– energetic
subordinates– people paid to be under another’s authority or control
subsequent– following
unobtrusive– unnoticeable
unsanctioned– unusual, unconventional
venture– to gamble, speculate, guess
verily– confidently
vernal– spring
wot– [archaic] singular present tense of wit; to learn
Review Questions
- What does Jane answer when Rochester asks her if she thinks he is handsome? How does he react?
- In what ways does Mr. Rochester think he is superior to Jane? Why does she not agree?
- Why does Jane agree to receive his orders without being upset by the tone of his command?
- How does Mr. Rochester excuse his sins?
- Find an example of a metaphor for Jane near the end of the chapter.
- What does Adéle say that makes Rochester wince?
- What does Mr. Rochester say about Adéle that shocks Jane?
Chapter 15
Vocabulary
abridge– to shorten, cut short
anathemas– curses
aperture– an opening, hole, slot
assuage– to calm, satisfy
battledore– a badminton racket
casement– a window that opens like a door
cavalier– a gentleman
comfits– desserts made with fruits, nuts, and sugar
congenial– agreeable
countenance– an appearance, face
deluged– soaked
demoniac– devilish
dentelles– lace
destitute– poor
digression– a detour
diverged– departed
doleful– sad
dupe– a fool, sucker
ensued– followed
equipages– carriages
etiolated– pale, colorless
ewer– a pitcher
exigencies– situations which demand attention
expedient– a quick, believable excuse to get out of a current situation
façade– a false appearance, front
filette– a little girl
fulminating– violently exploding
gravely– seriously
habergeon– a shield
hauteur– arrogance
imperious– authoritative, commanding
inamorata– a sweetheart, someone you love (usually a female)
intimated– suggested
ire– anger
lugubrious– miserable, depressing
malignant– hateful, evil
morose– sorrowful
noxious– injurious, harmful
paramount– of chief importance
paroxysm– a sudden attack
pastille– a tablet with aromatic qualities
peril– a risk
rebuking– reprimanding, scolding
relish– enthusiasm, zeal
repose– to trust in something (someone)
sanctity– holiness
sardonic– cold, mocking
shuttlecock– the “birdie” used in badminton
spoony– overly sentimental
undulating– rolling, wavy
unmolested– unbothered, undisturbed
unshod– without shoes
vicomte– a gentleman who works for a nobleman
welkin– the sky
Review Questions
- How does the following passage, in first person like the rest of the novel, differ from the narration in the other chapters? “It was moonlight and gas-light besides, and very still and serene. The balcony was furnished with a chair or two; I sat down, took out a cigar.” (Pg. 144)
- Why does Mr. Rochester feel comfortable confiding in Jane? What does he reveal about Helen’s mother?
- In what way can Celine be called Jane’s foil?
- Why does Mr. Rochester suggest Jane may want another position after hearing his story? What is her response?
- What evidence is there that Jane is falling in love with Mr. Rochester?
- What do you make of Rochester’s attitude about Thornfield?
- Why does Jane have trouble sleeping? What frightening noise does she hear?
- How does Jane save Mr. Rochester’s life? Why do you suppose he does not want her to mention it any more?
- Why do you think he leaves Jane in the wet bedroom and goes to the third story?
- Support the following statement: When Mr. Rochester thanks Jane for saving his life, he also communicates his love to her.
Chapter 16
Vocabulary
aerial– sheer
bleared– cloudy, unclear
brazen– shameless; bold
confabulation– a conversation
conflagration– a large fire
conjecture– a theory
contrived– forced
enigmatical– like a riddle; without a solution
extrication– the act of becoming untangled, freed
folly– ignorance, stupidity
harangue– to harshly lecture
impenetrability– incomprehensibility
indelibly– permanently
indigent– poor
indignation– anger
inscrutable– mysterious
matronly– elderly
miry– swampy, muddy
phlegmatic– indifferent, cool
plebeian– a commoner
propriety– appropriateness, correctness, respectability
providential– fortunate
provocation– an annoyance, irritation
prudence– discretion, caution
sago– a food used to make pudding, a starch
staid– serious
supposition– an opinion, theory
surfeited– overindulged
taciturn– silent
unvarnished– simple, plain, bare
vexing– discussing at length; puzzling
Review Questions
- Why does Jane want to put Mrs. Poole to a test? How does she try to test her?
- Why do you think Mrs. Poole tries to persuade Jane to lock her bedroom door at night?
- What upsets Jane about Mr. Rochester’s journey? Why do you think he leaves so suddenly?
- Describe Blanche Ingram. Why is Jane especially interested in Mrs. Fairfax’s description of Blanche?
- What punishment does Jane give herself for secretly loving Mr. Rochester?
- Find an example of foreshadowing of future troubling situations.
Chapter 17
Vocabulary
Abigail– a lady’s personal maid
akin– connected
amplitude– greatness
anathematized– denounced, detested
anon– presently
apathetic– indifferent, unresponsive
appendage– land, property, or money
array– a display
assimilates– understands, grasps, matches
audible– able to be heard
auditors– listeners
balustrade– railing supports
behest– a request
bolsters– long, firm cylinder-shaped pillows
botany– the study of plants
caper– to frolic, hop
caste– a social group
cavalcade– a procession of carriages
cavaliers– gentlemen (soldiers or knights)
chastisement– a punishment
chimeras– wild or crazy ideas
clement– pleasant, merciful
confabulate– chat, talk
contumacy– resistance, disobedience
crucibles– melting pots
dictum– a comment, opinion
dogmatical– overbearing, opinionated
Dowager– an elderly woman belonging to the upper class
elicited– given
ensconced– settled
enumeration– a count, tally, list
exonerated– excused
extant– not destroyed, saved
extirpate– to remove totally
fender– the screen placed in front of a fireplace that keeps coals and embers from escaping
festooned– decorated
fettered– chained
foil– one that accentuates another’s specific characteristics
forage– food
furbish– to polish, restore
gallant– majestic
heralds– messengers
incubi– nightmares; burdens
induced– persuaded
ineffable– unspeakable
insipid– dull, colorless
irids– referring to the iris
lachrymose– in tears
languid– not forceful, unenergetic
larder– a pantry, cellar
liaisons– middle parties
magistrate– a judge
martyrdom– extreme suffering
mutiny– a rebellion
onus– a burden, responsibility
pith– strength, energy
poplars– types of trees
portents– warnings, omens
prating– chattering
protracted– prolonged
puppet– [British] a term used when addressing small, impressionable children
resplendent– brilliant
riveted– fascinated
sanctum– a sanctuary, holy place
satirical– sarcastic
saturnine– unhappy, gloomy
sentiments– feelings
slavish– subservient
solace– comfort
solicitous– anxious
sonorous– deep, rich
sovereign– independent
steely– hard
sundry– assorted
trepidation– fears
truss– to secure with string (usually referring to meat)
unfurrowed– unmarked, clear
vanquishing– defeating
vernacularly– referring to dialect; idiomatically spoken
victualage– food
whey– milky colored, pale
Review Questions
- What new information does Jane learn when she overhears a conversation between Leah and another maid?
- What do Adéle and Jane do while Mr. Rochester entertains his guests that first night? How does Jane feel about being invited to the party?
- Why do Adéle and Jane go into the drawing room early? How are they treated by the ladies when they enter from the dining room?
- What negative characteristics does Jane observe about Miss Blanche Ingram?
- What are the two main topics of Miss Ingram’s conversation? How do they hurt Jane?
- Speculate on what Mr. Rochester is about to say, but does not, in the following passage: “ ‘Now go, and send Sophie for Adéle. Good-night, my ––’ He stopped, bit his lip, and abruptly left me.” (Pg. 177)
Chapter 18
Vocabulary
acquitted– conducted
acrimony– a bitter temper
allure– to attract, entice
antipathy– hostility, hatred, animosity
attainments– achievements, accomplishments
beguile– to entertain, amuse
beldame– an old woman
brocaded– heavy fabric with ornate and thick embroidery
casket– a small box for valuables
condemnatory– negative
consort– associate
contumelious– insulting, abusive
countenance– to support
deference– courteousness, obedience
deferred– postponed, delayed
engender– to cause, produce
epithet– an expression
equitable– unprejudiced, fair, objective
girandoles– candleholders
halcyon– calm, peaceful
hem– an intentional cough used to get someone’s attention
highwayman– a person who robs from travelers
imperious– authoritative, dictatorial
importunity– urgency, insistence
incredulity– doubt, not trusting
infatuatedly– foolishly passionate
languidly– listlessly, spiritlessly
lenient– gentle, merciful
meretricious– insincere; tastelessly flashy or showy
multitudinous– many, large in numbers
palmistry– the act of reading palms
palsied– shaking, trembling
pantomime– the act of communicating with only gestures and expressions
paradox– a contradictory statement
parleying– negotiating
placid– pale
pungent– spicy (usually referring to taste or smell)
rebuff– giving the “cold-shoulder,” snub
sagacity– keen judgment, wisdom
sallow– sickly
sardonic– sarcastic
self-complacency– self-satisfaction
sibyl– a female prophet or fortuneteller
sordid– depressing
supercilious– arrogant, superior
tableau– a clear description
taciturnity– silent, quiet
tinkler– a meddler, wanderer
titter– a giggle
unremittingly– persistently, constantly
vagabond– a wanderer, a person with no permanent home
van– the first in a group
vivaciously– spiritedly
Review Questions
- What three characters does Mr. Rochester play in charades? Which character do you think Jane likes the least?
- How does Jane explain her lack of jealousy toward Miss Ingram?
- What is Jane’s opinion of Mr. Rochester’s apparent decision to marry for position?
- Who arrives while Mr. Rochester is away from the party on business? What does he look like?
- Who is “old Mother Bunches”? (Pg. 187) What demands does she make on the ladies at the party?
- What happens when the gypsy tells the fortunes of Mary, Amy, Louisa, and Blanche?
Chapter 19
Vocabulary
automaton– like a robot, mechanically
blackaviced– dark, complicated
brine– salt water
censure– to publicly shun
chagrin– embarrassment, disappointment
chasms– opinions, interests
desist– to stop
diablerie– witchcraft, devilry
doffed– taken off, removed
enigmas– puzzling or inexplicable things (referring to people or riddles)
feigned– pretended, invented
interlocutor– a person to talk with
lassitude– weak, weary
meted– limited, measured
ministrant– comforting
propitious– favorable
quibble– a pun, a play on words
superlatively– highly, excessively
Review Questions
- Why does the gypsy say Jane is cold, sick, and silly?
- What do you think the gypsy is trying to get Jane to admit?
- What information does the gypsy woman give Blanche Ingram to make her unhappy?
- List the observations the gypsy makes about Jane’s character by examining her eyes, mouth, and forehead.
- Why does Jane congratulate herself after her interview with the gypsy?
- How does Mr. Rochester react to the news that Mr. Mason is waiting to see him? What does he ask Jane to do to help him?
- In what way is the final conversation in the chapter between Jane and Mr. Rochester an example of foreshadowing?
Chapter 20
Vocabulary
alacrity– liveliness, eagerness
amenable– responsible
buxom– healthy; lively
cannily– carefully
carrion– a dead animal, rotting flesh
charlatan– a fraud, phony
cordial– a stimulant; liquor
crimson– the color red
culpable– guilty
eyrie– a nest (usually built by a bird of prey)
gilding– a thin coating of gold
grappled– wrestled
immutable– unalterable
impetuous– hasty, impulsive
inarticulate– unable to be determined; unclear
inertness– having the inability to move
inextricable– unable to be solved
mien– actions; appearance
parable– a story with a moral
penchant– having a strong liking
peril– a risk
phial– a small bottle, vial
propounded– proposed
recommence– to begin again
repository– a place where items are kept for safe keeping
sequestered– secluded
shod– past tense of shoe
strapper– a robust, strong person
sullied– dirty
trice– an instant
twain– two
vigils– periods of observation
viz.– [Latin] videlicet; that is
wane– to fade away
wax– to become intense; to become large in size or strength
wicket– a gate
Review Questions
- Why does Jane remain dressed after Mr. Rochester explains that the screams are from a servant’s nightmare?
- What does Jane do to help Mr. Mason? What special instructions does Mr. Rochester give Jane and Mr. Mason? What could be the reason for such instructions?
- Why does someone bite Mr. Mason? Who or what do you think bites him?
- What four errands does Jane perform for Mr. Rochester?
- What is behind the tapestry in the room where Jane nurses Mr. Mason?
- How can Mr. Mason hurt Mr. Rochester?
- Why do you think the author has Mr. Rochester take Jane into the garden to talk instead of the mansion?
- What answer does Jane give to the following question? “Is the wandering and sinful, but now rest-seeking and repentant man justified in daring the world’s opinion, in order to attach to him for ever this gently, gracious, genial stranger; thereby securing his own peace of mind and regeneration of life?” (Pg. 212)
- Support the following statement: Mr. Rochester is not serious about wanting to marry Miss Ingram.
Chapter 21
Vocabulary
acrid– bitter
affliction– a burden
amity– goodwill, affection
apoplectic– having the appearance of verging on stroke or heart attack
ascetic– severe
assiduously– busily, diligently
aught– all
augmented– magnified, enlarged
crape– a piece of fabric
cumber– a burden; clutter
dandled– bounced
deglutition– swallowing
despotic– authoritative, tyrannical
dissipations– pleasures, amusements
emphatically– forcefully, assertively
entreated– begged, pleaded
equivocal– unclear, obscure
eradicated– removed, uprooted, exterminated
forbearance– patience, tolerance
formalist– a person who pays strict attention to worship
hoard– an inventory, stock
indissoluble– perpetually binding or obligatory
inexorable– rigid, inflexible
iteration– repetition
knaves– dishonest scoundrels
languish– to deteriorate, fade
lethargy– stupor, laziness
naiads– a type of mythological nymph or fairy that usually lived in springs or fountains
niggard– a cheapskate, penny pincher
outlawry– an illegal act
pecuniary– money related
peremptory– final, absolute
precursor– the beginning
presentiments– premonitions
puritanical– like a puritan; one who lives a strict religious life
purloined– stolen
remittent– less, not as much
reprobation– blame, disapproval
resounded– echoed
ruth– compassion
scantiness– meagerness
sharpers– crooks, cheaters
sovereign– a British gold coin
sublime– majestic
superciliousness– the act of being arrogant, haughtiness
quells– suppresses, quiets
“quiz”– a joke
tempestuously– ferociously
tenement– a lease, rental
thrice– three times
vignettes– paintings, usually very descriptive
visage– a face
water-flags– types of irises with yellow flowers
Review Questions
- How does Jane define presentiments, sympathies, and signs?
- What does Jane dream?
- Who is Robert? What news does he bring about the Reed family?
- What matter of business does Jane want to discuss with Mr. Rochester before leaving for Gateshead?
- How have Eliza and Georgiana changed?
- Why does Jane think Mrs. Reed must always think she is a bad person?
- Why does Mrs. Reed wish Jane had died at Lowood during the typhus epidemic?
- State a theme for this novel, using the following quotation describing the reason Georgiana and Eliza are despicable human beings: “True, generous feeling is made small account of by some: but here were two natures rendered, the one intolerably acrid, the other despicably savorless for the want of it. Feeling without judgment is a washy draught indeed; but judgment untempered by feeling is too bitter and husky a morsel for human deglutition.” (Pg. 229)
- What two ways has Mrs. Reed wronged Jane?
- What do we learn of the Reed sisters?
- Why does Jane forgive Mrs. Reed?
Chapter 22
Vocabulary
acumen– cleverness, intelligence
advantageous– beneficial
amicable– friendly
ardent– passionate
balm– quiet, calm
bourne– a destination
cognizant– aware, conscious
colloquize– to converse, to talk
compliant– obedient
cynosure– guidance, direction
dogmas– sets of guidelines, doctrines
dubious– doubtful
gloaming– twilight
interment– a funeral ceremony
lamentations– mourning, grievances
novitiate– the trial period of a person attempting to join a religious order
ostler– [hostler] the person in charge of tending to the horses
philter– a love potion
surmised– guessed
transitory– brief, fleeting
truant– a person who skips work or school
vicinage– an area, vicinity
vocation– an occupation
Review Questions
- How is the following statement ambiguous? “I have been with my aunt, sir, who is dead.” (Pg. 236)
- What does Mr. Rochester want to show Jane?
- What is Jane’s idea of home?
- Why does Jane think Mr. Rochester’s marriage to Blanche may have been canceled?
Chapter 23
Vocabulary
acuteness– sharpness
atone– [archaic] to agree
constancy– loyalty
conventionalities– specific customs and expected social behavior
expiate– to fix
exultation– triumph, extreme joy
incivility– rudeness, impoliteness
parterres– arrangements; specifically arranged garden paths
peal– a sudden burst of noise
prostrate– to overpower or crush with intense emotion
prudence– thriftiness, frugality; discretion
resolves– decisions
sanction– consent, permission
subjoined– said at the end, added
Review Questions
- How does Mr. Rochester get Jane to admit her true feelings for him?
- Why does Jane reveal her love for Rochester?
- What is Jane’s reaction to Rochester’s proposal?
- After Jane accepts his proposal, why does Rochester say: “God pardon me!…and man meddle not with me: I have her and will hold her.” (Pg. 246)
- Considering the author’s use of nature to mirror the events in Jane’s life, what is the significance of the lightning splitting the chestnut tree at the bottom of the orchard?
Chapter 24
Vocabulary
accession– an increase, addition
alabaster– light in color, ivory, pale
alight– to get down
asperity– harshness
averred– declared
badinage– to tease, banter
bairn– a child
bashaw– an honorific title of a Turkish military officer
bathos– an insincere expression of sentimentality
blither– nonsense
capricious– unpredictable, impulsive
circlet– a small round piece of jewelry
coercion– force, strength
colloquy– a conversation
concession– an allowance
coquetry– flirtation
cudgel– a club
deferential– dutiful, respectful
deprecation– the act of expressing a strong opinion
despot– a tyrant
dint– a force
dudgeon– a feeling of resentment
effervesce– to boil up
enmity– hatred
expediency– giving in to self-serving means
fagged– exhausted
fastidious– careful, finicky
flinty– stern
fractious– hard to manage
fruition– fulfillment, attainment
gossamer– a type of light, sheer fabric
harlequin– a type of clown
hied– rushed, raced
imbecility– great stupidity
insolvency– bankruptcy
legatee– someone who inherits a legacy
manna– food created by divine means
monitress– a female monitor
nettled– irritated
pagan– a person who does not regard any religion as their own
peremptory– authoritative
pertinaciously– stubbornly
pinion– a bird’s wing
piqued– aroused, provoked
pished– a sound of impatience
pliancy– flexibility
quailed– cowered
remand– to send back
remonstrance– challenge
repast– a meal
rescind– to void
salamander– a sprit that lives in fire
seraglio– a sultan’s palace or harem (a place reserved for only women)
sojourn– a visit, vacation
sultan– a Muslim ruler
suttee– a widow who is burned alive
swaths– large areas of land
sylph– a slender, graceful girl
talisman– a charm believed to have magical powers
tyne– to lose
unction– earnestness, seriousness
usurped– to seize with power
vouchsafed– guaranteed, assured
Review Questions
- Why is Mrs. Fairfax uncomfortable with Jane at breakfast?
- Why does Jane not want the Rochester heirlooms?
- What does she want from him instead of dresses and jewels? What is his answer?
- Why is Mrs. Fairfax worried about Jane’s marriage to Mr. Rochester?
- What evidence is there that Jane listens to Mrs. Fairfax’s warning?
- Why does Jane want to send a letter to Mr. John Eyre?
- What is your opinion of Jane’s refusal to become dependent on Rochester?
Chapter 25
Vocabulary
appertained– concerned
aristocratic– referring to the upper class, nobles
ascertain– to discover
audacity– boldness, forwardness
augment– to increase
cloven– cut, severed, split
cornice– a decorative molding or frame used to hide curtain rods
coronet– a crown
disquietude– uneasiness, anxiety
embowered– hidden by branches with leaves
enfeebled– weak
environed– surrounded
extort– to obtain
fissure– crevice
gale– a fierce wind
idyls– short poems
impetuous– impulsive
incensed– enraged
indissolubly– permanently
insuperable– impossible
lurid– gruesome
obscurity– darkness
peeress– a female peer
pendent– hanging
plebeian– common
portmanteau– a travel bag, it opens up like a book; a briefcase
precincts– borders
puerile– foolish, childish
rent– ripped, torn
requisite– required
riven– split
scathed– injured by fire
unsundered– connected, together
visitant– a visitor, guest
wraith-like– ghost-like
Review Questions
- Why is Jane anxious before her wedding?
- Briefly describe her first dream. How does Mr. Rochester respond after hearing about this dream?
- Briefly describe her second dream.
- What does Jane see when she awakens from the second dream?
- Why does Jane insist the incident with the lady and the veil is not a dream?
- How does Mr. Rochester explain the woman in Jane’s room? Does Jane believe his explanation?
- Where does Jane sleep the night before her wedding day?
- Do you find it difficult to believe that Jane agrees to wait a year and a day for an explanation?
Chapter 26
Vocabulary
adduced– presented, cited
admonition– a warning, caution
balked– missed
bigamy– having more than one wife
chancel– the space surrounding the altar in a church
conjugal– marital, wedded
controvert– to deny, contradict
corpulent– extremely overweight
espousing– marrying
gambols– frolicking, romping
hob– a shelf or mantle beside or above a fireplace
imbruted– brutal
impediment– an obstruction, obstacle
lorn– deserted; lonely
marshal– to usher, guide
pinioned– winged
quarried– excavated
ragout– vegetable stew
rallied– assembled
reproof– to blame
riveted– fastened
surplice– the long white robe worn by priest
tarry– to delay, drag, procrastinate
tawny– having a light brown color
vestry– the area in a church where the clergy kept their robes and other sacred items
virile– manly, masculine
Review Questions
- Who is Mr. Woods? What does Jane see in the graveyard of the church?
- How is Jane’s marriage ceremony interrupted?
- What does Mr. Rochester do when he realizes he cannot go through with his marriage to Jane?
- How does Bertha behave? What does Mr. Rochester do to control her?
- What does Jane’s uncle have to do with stopping her marriage?
- Support the following statement with a quotation from page 285: The child in Jane’s dream is a symbol for her love for Rochester.
Chapter 27
Vocabulary
slough– discouragement
upbraided– scolded
vehemence– eagerness, enthusiasm
reproach– disapproval
ewe– a female lamb
rued– regretted, felt sorrow for
appropriated– assigned, designated
profligate– extravagant
revile– to scold
expostulate– to reason with
curtail– to shorten
scruple– a doubt, reservation
paroxysms– fits, convulsions
vexation– irritation
impetus– an incentive
nominally– literally, referring to bearing a name
sophistical– invalid
infernal– accursed
avaricious– greedy
besotted– blinded
prurience– a desire
allured– attracted
vile– offensive
trite– common
perverse– obstinate
eschewed– escaped
pigmy– of very small size or capacity
propensities– tendencies
intemperate– having no self control
indigence– poverty
noxious– deadly
callous– unfeeling
natal– native
advent– arrival
repudiated– denied
faugh– an expression of shock
odious– displeasing, despicable
infirm– weak
harlot– a female prostitute
refulgent– brilliant
unalloyed– alone, not mixed, potent
sullied– tainted
clime– climate
apprise– to inform
lucid– clear, rational
vigilance– alertness
interminable– continual
roved– wandered, roamed
antipodes– the opposite
incongruous– incompatible
dissipation– wasteful consumption
liaison– communication
rake– an immoral person
desecrated– violated
pollard– a type of tree
presentiment– a feeling that something is about to happen
linnet– a type of bird, like a finch
surly– moody
bilious– irritable pain from indigestion
shrewd– clever
diffident– shy
conspicuous– obvious
plied– controlled
solecism– a mistake in etiquette
epicure– gourmet, connoisseur
despondent– desperate
furtively– secretly
fervent– fiery, flaming
magnanimity– generosity
sully– to soil
perversity– stubbornness
inviolate– uninjured, unbroken
stringent– rigorously binding or exacting; strict; severe
indomitable– invincible
syncope– a loss of consciousness
sable– the color black
azure– a shade of blue
fount– a fountain
scaffold– a platform where criminals stand while they await execution
disseverment– separation
goaded– moved
drear– dreary
copse– a brush, thicket
Review Questions
- Find an example of personification in the chapter.
- Why does Jane forgive Rochester in her heart?
- What reason does Rochester give for keeping his sick wife at Thornfield instead of hiding her in a remote Manor?
- How does Rochester plan to be with Jane even though they cannot marry?
- Why did Mr. Rochester marry Bertha?
- What did Mr. Rochester do after he brought Bertha to Thornfield and hired Mrs. Poole to watch her? Why do you suppose he does not divorce Bertha?
- How does Mr. Rochester feel about living with a mistress? Why does this opinion worry Jane?
- Why does Rochester not tell Jane about his wife before the marriage ceremony?
- What advice does Jane give Rochester after she refuses to stay with him?
- State a theme for this novel using the following passage: “Mr. Rochester, I no more assign this fate to you than I grasp at it for myself. We were born to strive and endure – you as well as I: do so. You will forget me before I forget you.” (Pg. 303)
- What does Jane take with her when she leaves Thornfield?
- How much does Jane pay the driver for her ride? Why is it too much?
Chapter 28
Vocabulary
acceded– consented
allay– to relieve
avidity– a craving
bombazine– a type of fabric
drover– a herdsman
fagging– working hard, drudging
foundry– a factory where metal is melted down and molded
fustian– a type of coarse fabric
hamlet– a small town
importune– to beg
inducement– an invitation
lea– a meadow
lexicon– a dictionary
lozenged– shaped like a diamond
mendicant– a beggar
omnipotence– the state of being all-powerful, all-knowing
omnipresence– the ability to be everywhere at once
palisades– a type of fence
parsonage– an official home provided by the church for the parson to live
plover– a bird
propitious– favorable
prostration– exhaustion, a collapse
scrupulously– meticulously
sodden– soaked, saturated
spire– the top of a steeple
throe– a severe pain
tresses– ringlets of hair
vagrant– a wanderer
verge– a border
yew– a poisonous evergreen bush
Review Questions
- How can the reader infer from the descriptions of nature that Jane has made the correct decision to leave Thornfield?
- Why does Jane try to find the clergyman? Why is he unavailable?
- How does Jane get food the first night in the village?
- What does Jane try to trade for food? Is she successful?
- How does Jane keep going until she reaches the house in the woods? Some readers see this light as similar to the star of Bethlehem. What is your opinion?
- Briefly describe the inhabitants of the house in the woods.
- Why does Hannah refuse to let Jane speak to Diana and Mary? What does the woman give her instead?
- Why do you think Jane tells Mr. St. John her last name is Elliott? What does Jane want him to do for her?
Chapter 29
Vocabulary
acumen– sharpness
aversion– hatred
bemired– muddy
benefactors– providers
brevity– conciseness
clad– clothed
delineation– a description
direful– terrible, dreadful
emaciated– extremely thin
imperturbably– calmly and serene in manner
incumbent– a duty
indicative– indicating
latterly– later
pallid– pale colored
relent– to weaken, yield
satiety– full
solus– alone
threaped– scolded
torpid– insensible, unresponsive
torpor– stupor, listlessness
undemonstrative– unmarked, unemotional
Review Questions
- State the point of this passage: “Prejudices, it is well known, are most difficult to eradicate from the heart whose soil has never been loosened or fertilized by education: they grow there firm as weeds among stones.” (Pg. 325)
- What does Jane think of Hannah?
- Who is Mr. Oliver?
- What does Jane think about St. John’s physical appearance?
- How much of Jane’s past does she reveal to St. John and his sisters? What does she say to explain why she left her last job?
- What mistake does she make? How does she explain herself?
- Why does St. John agree to help her find work?
Chapter 30
Vocabulary
alloy– something that is added to decrease the value
bracken– a large, fern-like plant
broached– brought up
ciphering– calculating (referring to arithmetic)
consecration– commitment
contravened– contradicted; denied
coruscating– twinkling, glistening
disdainful– hateful
dovetailed– agreed
dregs– the lowest level
elysium– a paradise, a place of happiness
grange– a farm or residence for a farmer
guineas– a type of currency
hewers– people employed to cut down (brush, trees, etc.)
ignoble– lowly, degrading
inexpedient– not very practicable
insatiate – dissatisfied
morass– a soggy area
pensive– thoughtful
recrimination– accusations
reverenced– adored, worshipped
sequestered– secluded
supervened– followed
tenor– having a tendency
zealous– enthusiastic
Review Questions
- How is St. John’s character different from his sisters?
- What does Jane think of his sermon?
- How much does St. John have left after all of his father’s debts are paid?
- Why does Jane accept the position of mistress of the Morton school? Why does St. John not think she will stay in the position for long?
- Who is the Rivers' uncle? Why are they disappointed when he dies?
Chapter 31
Vocabulary
austerity– sternness
commodious– spacious
delf– pottery
despondent– hopeless
hiatus– a break
inanition– exhaustion
inducements– incentives, impulses
intractable– stubborn
ken– the view
orator– a person who gives speeches
reft– deprived
repine– to fret, complain
scions– descendants
sensualist– a sensual person who gives in to desires and tends to overindulge
stinted– limited
vacillating– wavering
Review Questions
- Support the following statement with a quotation from this chapter: Charlotte Brontë thinks lower-class children have the same potential as those of the upper classes.
- What advice does Mr. St. John give to Jane to help her avoid the temptation of returning to Mr. Rochester?
- Who is the source of St. John’s “season of darkness and struggling”? (Pg. 344) How has he overcome temptation?
- Support the following statement: Despite Miss Oliver’s beauty, and St. John’s attraction to her, she is not a suitable mate for him.
Chapter 32
Vocabulary
asp– a venomous snake
aspirant– one who has great ambition
carmine– red in color
catechizing– teaching religion systematically
dexterously– skillfully
eminence– superior positions
emulous– jealous
enervate– to weaken
inundation– flood waters
nectarous– relating to nectar
petulance– irritability
rover– a wanderer
stoic– calm, indifferent
stoicism– the belief that people should not show specific emotions (joy, grief, etc.)
transient– fleeting, passing quickly
turret– a tower
Review Questions
- How does Jane repay the kindness of the students’ families?
- What does Miss Oliver think of Jane? How does she arrange a meeting between Jane and Mr. Oliver?
- How does St. John react when he looks at Jane’s drawing of Miss Oliver? Why does Jane think he has this reaction?
- Why does Jane boldly suggest to St. John that he should be with Miss Oliver? What is his answer?
- Why does St. John tremble around Miss Oliver? How does he describe himself?
- What does St. John admire about Jane? What does he do to a piece of Jane’s drawing paper? Why does he do this?
Chapter 33
Vocabulary
affluence– wealth, abundance
afresh– again
analogous– similar
arbitration– the process of presenting a dispute to an outside party to come to an agreement
consternation– paralyzing fear
curate– a pastor’s assistant
donjon– a castle’s main tower
insinuation– a suggestion
opiate– a drug derived from opium, that quiets and calms
salutary– helpful, profitable
vermilion– red in color
yoke– a crossbar used to link oxen together
Review Questions
- What is Jane’s first reaction when she realizes St. John knows about her connection to Thornfield?
- How does Jane feel about inheriting twenty thousand pounds?
- What information about the inheritance does St. John try to keep from Jane?
- What does Jane want to do with her wealth? Do you think St. John agrees with her decision?
- Why does Jane think she will never marry even though the money will increase her prospects?
- How is the question over Jane’s decision to divide the inheritance finally settled?
- Which events in this chapter may deal with improbable coincidences?
Chapter 34
Vocabulary
acquisition– an accomplishment, acquirement
antagonistic– opposing; opposite
ascendancy– domination
battalion– a large number
berth– a place on a ship
besotted– intellectually ignorant
brood– to contemplate
bulwark– a support, safeguard
coadjutor– an assistant
cordiality– sincere kindness
crest-fallen– depressed
currants– seedless berries
daunt– to discourage
ebullition– an outpouring
ecclesiastical– religious
effigy– an image, representation
firmament– the sky
garrulous– talkative, chatty
helpmeet– a helper
hewn– cut
hierophant– a religious official
ineradicable– impossible to get rid of
lucre– money, wealth
oblation– an offering
piquancy- agreeably stimulating, interesting, or attractive
poignantly– sharply, impressively
rush– a plant with small flowers
sinews– tendons
solicitude– concern
stead– place
thrall– servitude
tractability– obedience
tropes– words and phrases
unblighted– not destroyed, ruined, or frustrated
wrest– to twist, turn
Review Questions
- What is St. John’s objection to Jane devoting herself to Moor House and his sisters?
- Why does Jane think St. John will make a terrible husband?
- How does St. John demonstrate to Jane that for him “fortitude pleased him; the reverse was a special annoyance”? (Pg. 378)
- Why does St. John ask Jane to learn Hindostanee? What other motivation may he have?
- Why does St. John kiss Jane? What does she think of his kiss?
- What is wrong with St. John’s proposal to Jane?
- List the qualities St. John sees in Jane that he thinks make her qualified to become a missionary’s wife.
- How does Jane view her future if she agrees to marry St. John?
Chapter 35
Vocabulary
boon– a favor
conciliate– to win over, appease
conjured– influenced
impropriety– an improper act
perdition– damnation, hell
procure– to obtain
propitiate– to ease, soften
scintillated– sparkled, twinkled
superfluity– not needed, excessive
tangible– substantial, evident
whetted– stimulated
zealots– fanatics
Review Questions
- Why, at first, is Diana delighted to hear St. John has proposed marriage to Jane? What changes her mind?
- While under St. John’s spell, what does Jane hear? What does she answer? Use the following passage to answer the next two questions. “I broke from St. John; who had followed, and would have detained me. It was my time to assume ascendancy. My powers were in play, and in force. I told him to forbear question or remark; I desired him to leave me: I must, and would be alone. He obeyed at once. Where there is energy to command well enough, obedience never fails. I mounted to my chamber; locked myself in; fell on my knees; and prayed in my way.… I seemed to penetrate very near a Mighty Spirit, and my soul rushed out in gratitude at His feet. I rose from the thanksgiving, took a resolve, and lay down, unscared, enlightened – eager but for the daylight.” (Pg. 397)
- Why do you think Jane is eager for the daylight?
- Speculate on why Jane’s “soul rushed out in gratitude at His feet.” (Pg. 397)
Chapter 36
Vocabulary
annuity– a salary, yearly allowance
auspices– protection
epistles– letters
gilt– gold in color
mortar– a cement-like mixture
Review Questions
- How does Mrs. Rochester die?
- Where is Mr. Rochester? What is the extent of his injuries?
Chapter 37
Vocabulary
avowal– a confession, acknowledgement
brownie– a small, helpful, and hardworking fairy
chastisements– punishments
cicatrized– scarred
corporeal– physical
cravat– a scarf
dispensation– a distribution
fillip– of little importance
insalubrious– unhealthy
lachrymose– tearful
lamenter– one who expresses sorrow or regret
priggish– Displaying or demanding of others pointlessly precise conformity, fussiness about trivialities, or exaggerated propriety, especially in a self-righteous or irritating manner
prowess– ability, strength
purveyor– a provider (usually referring to food)
redd– cleaned
remuneration– a fee, payment
scrag– a collar
subjugation– a conquest
sylvan– rustic
wended– gone
Review Questions
- What is the weather like when Jane fi rst arrives at Ferndean?
- How much vision does Rochester retain?
- Support the following statement with a quotation from this chapter: Jane is not staying with Mr. Rochester out of pity or obligation.
- Support the following statement: The weather improves because Jane is happy helping Rochester.
- How does Jane convince Rochester that she loves him more now than before his accident?
- Why does Rochester think it is God’s will that he is blind? Why is he grateful?
- Why does Jane not tell Rochester that she heard him call her name when she was trying to decide if God wanted her to be a missionary?
Chapter 38
Vocabulary
eminent– distinguished, prominent
forelock– the hair over the forehead
oculist– an eye doctor
Review Questions
- What do you think of the ending?
- Why is Jane’s heart filled with joy even though she knows St. John is dying?
- Some readers see this theme in this last chapter: “If one leads a pure life, he or she will find happiness on earth and eternal happiness with the Lord.” Refer to the text to support or refute this assertion.