Introduction
Rebellious Jane needed all her fiery spirit to carry her through a loveless childhood, and a shocking discovery at the altar.
JANE EYRE acquired her rebellious spirit at the hands of her vindictive aunt, Mrs Reed, and at Mr Brocklehurst’s spartan boarding school. It gave her the strength not only to survive, but to win an enviable position as governess to Adèle, daughter of Edward Rochester of Thornfield Hall.
Mr Rochester, a bachelor, was by no means handsome, and was moody in a way that neither the unbalanced behaviour of his servant, Grace Poole, nor the obviously unwelcome arrival of a Mr Mason from the West Indies, could justify; but when he asked her to marry him, Jane was as delighted as she was astonished.
Yet even as they exchanged their vows, Mr Mason declared an impediment: Mr Rochester was already married, to his sister. Edward explained that Bertha was violently insane, that Grace Poole was his wife’s nurse and keeper; he begged Jane to flee with him to France.
Jane fled – but alone, without purpose or possessions, until she collapsed from grief and hunger.
Précis
Little Jane Eyre’s childhood battles had made her strong and rebellious, but nothing prepared her for the shock of learning on her wedding day that her bridegroom, Edward Rochester, was already married. Yet despite all his pleading, she had strength enough left to refuse to live as his mistress. (49 / 60 words)
Little Jane Eyre’s childhood battles had made her strong and rebellious, but nothing prepared her for the shock of learning on her wedding day that her bridegroom, Edward Rochester, was already married. Yet despite all his pleading, she had strength enough left to refuse to live as his mistress.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 45 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, besides, not, otherwise, ought, since, whereas, who.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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