I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.
Quote Analysis
Even without knowing who said this quote at page 483 of “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte we can easily guess that these words belong to Jane herself. She is so strong-willed and determined to get what she really wants and deserves to that no net, no gilded cage and no hunter will stop her on her way.
But this time Jane isn’t struggling for freedom as she did in her school or in her aunt’s home. She says these words after she discovers that Mr. Rochester who confessed to her and made her a proposal is already married to a mentally ill woman who lives in the basement of his house randomly burning things. She is deeply offended by what she believes is treason of her love and, even though Mr. Rochester promises her to live with her as faithful husband and never keep secrets from her anymore, Jane doesn’t believe him. When he playfully calls her a frantic bird she sharply answers that she isn’t a bird and he has no power to make her stay because she doesn’t believe neither in his love nor in his “net” of sweet words and promises.
Author: Teresa Nelson