Listen, then, Jane Eyre, to your sentence: to-morrow, place the glass before you, and draw in chalk your own picture, faithfully, without softening one defect; omit no harsh line, smooth away no displeasing irregularity; write under it, “Portrait of a Governess, disconnected, poor, and plain.”
Afterwards, take a piece of smooth ivory – you have one prepared in your drawing-box: take your palette, mix your freshest, finest, clearest tints; choose your most delicate camel-hair pencils; delineate carefully the loveliest face you can imagine; paint it in your softest shades and sweetest lines, according to the description given by Mrs. Fairfax of Blanche Ingram; remember the raven ringlets, the oriental eye; – What! you revert to Mr. Rochester as a model! Order! No snivel! – no sentiment! – no regret! I will endure only sense and resolution. Recall the august yet harmonious lineaments, the Grecian neck and bust; let the round and dazzling arm be visible, and the delicate hand; omit neither diamond ring nor gold bracelet; portray faithfully the attire, aërial lace and glistening satin, graceful scarf and golden rose; call it “Blanche, an accomplished lady of rank.”
– Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre, Chapter 16. Jane realizes that she is falling in love with Rochester, so she gives herself a reality check. She compares herself to the attractive and high-class Blanche Ingram, whom Rochester is due to meet at a party of aristocrats. In the contest for Rochester’s love, Jane decides that Blanche is the clear winner. She goes on to paint imaginary portraits of herself and Miss Ingram. In her self-portrait in chalk, she depicts herself as “plain” Jane the governess, omitting none of her defects. But Blanche’s portrait, on the other hand, is in color and on ivory and depicts her as a beautiful and accomplished woman of rank.
