You shall see what sort of a being I was cheated into espousing, and judge whether or not I had a right to break the compact, and seek sympathy with something at least human.
– Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre, Chapter 26. After being outed as already married at his wedding ceremony to Jane, Rochester pities himself. Claiming he was forced into marriage by his father, he tells Jane that his wife Bertha Mason is mad and comes from a family of idiots and maniacs going back three generations. He demonizes Bertha, suggesting she is less than human, and invites Jane to come to the house and see the patient for herself.