Mrs. Fairfax Quotes

I am so glad you are come; it will quite pleasant living here now with a companion. To be sure it is pleasant at any time; for Thornfield is a fine old hall, rather neglected of late years perhaps, but still it is a respectable place; yet you know in winter time, one feels dreary quite alone, in the best quarters. I say alone – Leah is a nice girl to be sure, and John and his wife are very decent people; but then you see they are only servants, and one can’t converse with them on terms of equality: one must keep them at due distance, for fear of losing one’s authority.

– Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre, Chapter 11. The kindly Mrs. Fairfax greets Jane warmly when she arrives to Thornfield Hall to take up her new position of governess. But the head housekeeper and household manager confesses that in winter she feels quite alone in Thornfield, as she unable to converse with the servants because of compromising her authority. So Mrs. Fairfax is pleased to have a companion in Jane that she can socialize with.

This affable and kind little widow was no great dame, but a dependent like myself. I did not like her the worse for that; on the contrary, I felt better pleased than ever. The equality between her and me was real; not the mere result of condescension on her part: so much the better – my position was all the freer.

– Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre, Chapter 11. Newly arrived at Thornfield, Jane is surprised by the friendliness and informality of Mrs. Fairfax, whom she at first mistakes for her “employer and superior.” Then Jane learns that she is just the housekeeper and manager of Thornfield, not the owner.

This was all the account I got from Mrs. Fairfax of her employer and mine. There are people who seem to have no notion of sketching a character, or observing and describing salient points, either in persons or things: the good lady evidently belonged to this class; my queries puzzled, but did not draw her out. Mr. Rochester was Mr. Rochester in her eyes; a gentleman, a landed proprietor – nothing more: she inquired and searched no further, and evidently wondered at my wish to gain a more definite notion of his identity.

– Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre, Chapter 11. Jane is curious about her new employer Mr. Rochester and asks Mrs. Fairfax questions about him. But she is left none the wiser by the housekeeper who cannot tell what kind of person he is, except that he is a landowner and gentleman. Jane’s new employer must remain a mystery to her until she can find out for herself what kind of man he is.

I climbed the three staircases, raised the trap-door of the attic, and having reached the leads, looked out afar over sequestered field and hill, and along dim sky-line – that then I longed for a power of vision which might overpass that limit; which might reach the busy world, towns, regions full of life I had heard of but never seen: that I desired more of practical experience than I possessed; more of intercourse with my kind, of acquaintance with variety of character, than was here within my reach. I valued what was good in Mrs. Fairfax, and what was good in Adele; but I believed in the existence of other and more vivid kinds of goodness, and what I believed in I wished to behold. Who blames me? Many, no doubt; and I shall be called discontented. I could not help it: the restlessness was in my nature; it agitated me to pain sometimes.

– Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre, Chapter 12. Jane climbs to the highest point in Thornfield Hall, still feeling the restlessness that drove her to leave her teaching job Lowood School for the position of governess and tutor to Adele. Jane very much values her new life in Thornfield and the goodness of housekeeper Mrs. Fairfax and young pupil Adele. But she is fascinated by the great wide world out there and desires more for herself. She aches for something beyond and above her role of governess, which her social class and gender have condemned her to. Jane continues to struggle towards her goal of complete freedom and independence as a woman.

When these fine, fashionable people get together, they are so surrounded by elegance and gaiety, so well provided with all that can please and entertain, they are in no hurry to separate. Gentlemen especially are often in request on such occasions; and Mr. Rochester is so talented and so lively in society, that I believe he is a general favourite: the ladies are very fond of him; though you would not think his appearance calculated to recommend him particularly in their eyes: but I suppose his acquirements and abilities, perhaps his wealth and good blood, make amends for any little fault of look.

– Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre, Chapter 16. Housekeeper Mrs. Fairfax tells a disappointed Jane that Rochester has left Thornfield to attend a party of aristocratic friends at Mr. Ashton’s house. He will be gone for several days. Jane learns that Rochester is popular with the ladies who will be in attendance at the party.

Tall, fine bust, sloping shoulders; long, graceful neck: olive complexion, dark and clear; noble features; eyes rather like Mr. Rochester’s: large and black, and as brilliant as her jewels. And then she had such a fine head of hair; ravenblack.

– Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre, Chapter 16. Mrs. Fairfax describes to Jane the beautiful Blanche Ingram, said to be greatly admired for her musical accomplishments. Mrs. Fairfax tells how she heard Blanche and Rochester sing a duet together. An apt simile is used to compare the brillance of the wealthy socialite’s eyes to her jewels.
Close