Introduction
Jane Eyre, governess to little Adèle at Thornfield Hall, has been away at the side of her dying aunt, Mrs Reed. Her employer, Edward Rochester, has also been away, in London, buying a new carriage ahead of what Jane is sure will be his engagement to the lovely Blanche Ingram. Walking the last few miles to the Hall, Jane runs across Mr Rochester, blocking a stile, and he immediately sets about teasing her.
“YOU must see the carriage, Jane, and tell me if you don’t think it will suit Mrs Rochester exactly;* and whether she won’t look like Queen Boadicea,* leaning back against those purple cushions. I wish, Jane, I were a trifle better adapted to match with her externally. Tell me now, fairy as you are — can’t you give me a charm, or a philtre, or something of that sort, to make me a handsome man?”
“It would be past the power of magic, sir;” and, in thought, I added, “A loving eye is all the charm needed: to such you are handsome enough; or rather your sternness has a power beyond beauty.”
Mr Rochester had sometimes read my unspoken thoughts with an acumen to me incomprehensible: in the present instance he took no notice of my abrupt vocal response; but he smiled at me with a certain smile he had of his own, and which he used but on rare occasions. He seemed to think it too good for common purposes: it was the real sunshine of feeling — he shed it over me now.
* The Reader will appreciate that Mr Rochester delights impishly in having this conversation at cross-purposes: when speaking of the future Mrs Rochester, Jane may be thinking of Blanche Ingram but Edward isn’t.
* The Victorian name (not used by modern historians) for Boudic(c)a, Queen of the Iceni in Norfolk. The Iceni accepted the status of a Roman client kingdom in 43, but grew increasingly angry at their treatment at the hands of their masters. In 61, Boudica led a bloody, desperate and ultimately fruitless revolt, and one of the enduring images of the campaign was Boudica and her daughters (who had suffered rape and beatings) driving a war chariot, the striking beautiful queen standing tall and strong with her waist-length red hair falling about her as she exacted a terrible revenge.
Précis
Jane Eyre returns to Thornfield Hall after visiting her aunt, and finds Mr Rochester waiting by a stile. He teasingly invites her to inspect his new carriage, knowing Jane will imagine he intends it for Miss Ingram; then by wishing himself more handsome he draws a brusque retort which he interprets as a compliment, and rewards with a melting smile. (60 / 60 words)
Jane Eyre returns to Thornfield Hall after visiting her aunt, and finds Mr Rochester waiting by a stile. He teasingly invites her to inspect his new carriage, knowing Jane will imagine he intends it for Miss Ingram; then by wishing himself more handsome he draws a brusque retort which he interprets as a compliment, and rewards with a melting smile.
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Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, besides, just, may, must, otherwise, unless, whereas.
Word Games
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Jane went to visit her sick aunt. She treated Jane badly as a child. Her aunt died.
Variation: Try rewriting your sentence so that it uses one or more of these words: 1. During 2. Happy 3. Who