Text Text Extract from Jane Eyre 1 Jane

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Text Extract from Jane Eyre 1 “Jane, do you hear that bird singing in the wood? ” 2 In listening, I wept. I could hide my feelings no longer. When I did speak, it was to express a passionate wish that I had never been born, or never come to Thornfield. 3 The violence of my feeling, stirred by grief and love, was gaining control, and demanding a right to conquer, and to speak.

Text 4 “I love Thornfield – I love it because I have lived in it a full and delightful life … for a little while at least. I have not been scorned or badly treated. I have talked, face to face, with what I delight in – with a strong and original mind. I have known you, Mr Rochester, and I find it unbearable that I must be separated from you forever. I see the necessity for leaving, and it is like looking on the necessity of death. ”

Text 5 “Where do you see the necessity? ” 6 “You, sir, have placed it before me, in the form of your bride. ” 7 “My bride! I have no bride!” 8 “But you will have. ” 9 “Yes! I will!” He looked determined.

Text 10 “Then I tell you I must go!” I replied, stirred to something like passion. “Do you think I can stay to become nothing to you? Do you think I am a machine without feelings? Do you think, because I am poor, humble, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! And if God had given me some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now by the standards of custom and the world. It is my spirit that addresses your spirit, as if we stood before God, equal, as we are!” 11 “As we are!” repeated Mr Rochester. “So, ” he added, enclosing me in his arms. “So, Jane!”

Text 12 “Yes, so, sir, ” I replied, “and yet not so, for you are going to marry a person who is unworthy of you – one with whom you have no sympathy – whom I do not believe that you truly love. I would scorn such a union: Therefore I am better than you – let me go!” 13 “Where, Jane? To Ireland? ” 14 “Yes, … to Ireland. I have said what I think, and can go anywhere now. ” 15 “Jane, be still; don’t struggle so, like a wild bird. ” 16 “I am no bird. I am a free human being with an independent will, which I now use to leave you. ”

Text 17 Another effort set me free. 18 “And your will shall decide your fate, ” he said. “I offer you my hand, my heart, and a share of all my possessions. ” 19 I was silent. I thought he was laughing at me. 20 “Do you doubt me, Jane? ” 21 “Entirely. ” 22 “You have no faith in me? ” 23 “Not a bit. ”

Text “Am I a liar in your eyes? ” he asked passionately. “Little doubter, I will make you believe me! What love have I for Miss Ingram? None. What love has she for me? I caused a story to reach her that my fortune was not a third of what was supposed, and when I visited her to see the result, it was coldness from her and her mother. I would not – I could not – marry Miss Ingram. I have only tried to make you jealous. You, I love as myself. You – poor and humble, and small and plain as you are – I beg you to accept me as a husband. ” 24

Text 25 I began – with his earnestness and especially his plain speaking – to believe in his sincerity. 26 “Do you truly love me? Do you really wish me to be your wife? ” 27 “I do. I am willing to swear it. ” 28 “Then I will marry you. ” 29 He drew me to him. “Make my happiness – I will make yours. God pardon me! Let not man interfere with me: I have her and will keep her. ”

Text 30 “There is no one to interfere, sir. I have no relations to interfere. ” 31 “No – that is the best of it, ” he said. If I had loved him less, I might have thought his voice and look of victory wild. “I know that ■ my God approves of what I do. For the world’s judgment, I care nothing. ”

Words & Phrases passionate soulless earnestness stir heartless sincerity grief enclose interfere conquer unworthy delightful fate scorn entirely original liar unbearable doubter necessity jealous humble earnest

Words & Phrases face to face have faith in delight in in sb. ’s eyes be unworthy of interfere with set sb. free Thornfield 桑菲尔德庄园 Rochester �切斯特 （人名） Ireland ���� Ingram 英格拉姆（人名）

Words & Phrases passionate a. showing or expressing powerful emotions or very strong beliefs 感情强烈的；激昂的 e. g. 1. He brought to the job not just considerable experience but passionate enthusiasm. 他不仅给这一 作带来了丰富经验，而且倾注了极大的热 情。 2. It was astonishing that this shy girl could grow so passionate. 真叫人惊奇，这个腼腆的姑娘能够变得这么热情奔放。 Word family: passion n.

Words & Phrases stir 1. vt. to make sb. feel upset or angry 激起，激发（不安或愤 怒） e. g. 1. Your presence at the meeting will stir trouble. 你出席会议要惹起麻烦。 2. Stop trying to stir racial hostility! 停止试图挑起种族仇恨! 2. v. to move food around in a dish or pan using a spoon or other object 搅拌（食物） e. g. Stir the soup for a few seconds. 将汤搅动几秒钟。

Words & Phrases grief n. [U] a strong feeling of sadness, usually because sb. has died 悲痛；悲伤 e. g. 1. She recovered from the grief of her mother’s death. 她已从丧母的悲痛中恢复过来。 2. I can’t go to the cinema with you tonight because I have to comfort my friend in grief. 我今晚不能和你去看电影，因为我得安慰我那极度悲伤的朋 友。 3. She says tears come not only from grief or pain, but also from all sorts of other emotions, including joy and frustration. 她说眼泪不仅来自悲伤或痛苦，也来自其他的情绪，包括 喜悦和沮丧。

Words & Phrases conquer 1. v. to take control of land or people using soldiers 征服； 占领；攻克 e. g. 1. Early in the 11 th century the whole of England was again conquered by the Vikings. 11世纪早期，整个英格兰再次被北欧海盗征服。 2. I come, I see, I conquer. (Julius Caesar) 我来，我看见，我征服。(尤利乌斯·凯撒) 2. vt. (mainly literary) to earn the love, admiration, or respect of sb. 赢得；征服 e. g. His gentle nature had conquered their hearts. 他的绅士风度赢得了他们的青睐。

Words & Phrases 3. to gain control of a situation or emotion by making a great physical or mental effort 克服 e. g. 1. I was certain that love was quite enough to conquer our differences. 我相信爱足以克服我们的种种差异。 2. He has never conquered his addiction to smoking. 他一直未能戒除烟瘾。

Words & Phrases delightful a. very pleasant or attractive 令 人愉快的；漂亮的 e. g. 1. It was the most delightful garden I had ever seen. 这是我所见过的最漂亮的花园。 2. She remembered Lucy as beautiful, charming and absolutely delightful. 她记得的露西漂亮、迷人，而且非常讨人喜欢。 Word family: delight n. & v.

Words & Phrases scorn 1. vt. to treat sb. or sth. as if they do not deserve your approval or respect 轻蔑；鄙视 e. g. 1. Several officers have openly scorned the peace talks. 几位官员公开地对和平谈判表示出不屑。 2. She scorned the view that inflation was already beaten. 她嘲笑那种通货膨胀已被消除的观点。 2. n. [U] a feeling that sb. or sth. is not good enough to deserve your approval or respect 轻蔑；鄙视 e. g. He became the object of ridicule and scorn. 他成了嘲弄和鄙视的对象。

Words & Phrases original a. 1. capable of creating ideas, writing etc. that are new, interesting, and different from anything 有独到见解的； 有独创性的 e. g. 1. The inventor had an original mind. 那个发明家具有创新的头脑。 2. Your designs are highly original. 你的设计很独特。 3. It is one of the most original works of imagination in the language. 这是用该语言写成的最具独创性和想象力的作品之一。

Words & Phrases 2. (only before noun) existing at the beginning of a period or process, before any changes have been made 起初的；原 来的；原先的 e. g. 1. The original plan was to hold an indefinite stoppage. 最初的计划是无限期停 。 2. The new town would have been unrecognizable to the original inhabitants. 原来的居民可能会认不出这个崭新的城镇了。 Word family: origin n. originally ad. e. g. Did you know that the backpacks that so many students carry today were originally designed for the military? (CET 4 - 2001 -06) 你们是否知道如今很多学生们背的双肩包最初是为军人设计的 ？

Words & Phrases unbearable a. so extreme that you cannot deal with the pain, feeling etc. （疼痛、感觉等）难 以忍受的，不能容忍的 e. g. 1. Many people find the idea of any kind of invasive surgery unbearable. 很多人认为任何开刀手术的想法都难以接受。 2. The waiting became almost unbearable. 等待变得几乎让人无法忍受。 Word family: bear v. Antonym: bearable

Words & Phrases necessity n. [U] a process, thing, or action that is needed in a situation 必要；必要性；需要 e. g. 1. Some people have to lead stressful lifestyles out of necessity. 一些人迫于生计不得不过着紧张忙碌的生活。 2. As soon as the necessity for action is over the troops must be withdrawn. 一旦军事行动的必要性不复存在，军队就必须撤出。 Word family: necessary a.

Words & Phrases humble a. 1. from a low social class （社会地位）低下的，卑微的 e. g. 1. He came from a fairly humble, poor background. 他出生在一个地位低下的贫穷家庭。 2. He flew high though he was of humble origin. 他虽出生低微，却胸怀大志。 2. not proud and not thinking you are better than other people 谦逊的；谦虚的 e. g. Andy was a humble, courteous and gentle man. 安迪是个谦逊而且彬彬有礼的绅士。

Words & Phrases soulless a. showing no emotions such as sympathy, happiness, or excitement 无情的；无动于衷的； 无生气的 e. g. 1. A person without work passion is an incomplete person, and a team without a sense of cooperation is a soulless team. 没有 作激情的人是不完整的人，没有合作精神的团队是 毫无生气的团队。 2. He was big and brawny with soulless eyes. 他身材高大，肌肉发达，一双眼睛冷漠无情。 Word family: soul n.

Words & Phrases heartless a. feeling or showing no sympathy or kindness 冷酷的；无情的 e. g. 1. Does a true hero have to be heartless? 难道无情才是真豪杰？ 2. It was heartless of you to leave without saying goodbye. 你不告而别实在太狠心了。 Word family: heart n.

Words & Phrases enclose vt. 1. to surround sb. or sth. 围住 e. g. 1. The surrounding land was enclosed by an eight foot wire fence. 周围的土地围有8英尺高的铁丝栅栏。 2. The wall encloses the hospital. 围墙将那所医院围在里面。 2. to send sth. such as a document with a letter 随函附上 e. g. He enclosed a cheque for 500 dollars. 他在信中附寄了一张 500美元的支票。

Words & Phrases unworthy a. dishonest or morally wrong 不 诚实的；不道德的；卑鄙的 e. g. 1. A person who cheats is an unworthy winner. 使诈之人胜之不武。 2. He was prompted by unworthy motives. 他被卑鄙的动机所驱使。 See also: be unworthy of Antonym: worthy

Words & Phrases fate n. [C] the things that happen to sb. , especially unpleasant things 命运；（尤指）厄运 e. g. 1. The Russian Parliament will hold a special session later this month to decide his fate. 俄罗斯议会本月晚些时候将举行特别会议决定他的命运。 2. They are concerned for the fate of the forest and the Indians who dwell in it. 他们为这片森林及居住于其中的印第安人的命运而担心。

Words & Phrases entirely ad. completely, or in every way 完 全地；完整地；全部地；彻底地 e. g. 1. Their price depended entirely on their scarcity. 它们的价格完全取决于它们的稀有程度。 2. Oh, the whole thing was entirely his fault. 哦，整件事完全是他的错。 Word family: entire a.

Words & Phrases liar n. [C] sb. who tells lies 说谎者 e. g. 1. She was wrongly labelled a liar. 她被错误地扣上说谎者的帽子。 2. She’s the biggest liar I’ve ever known. 她是我所见过的最厉害的说谎大王。 3. The greatest liars talk most of themselves. 最大的说谎者即那些自吹自擂之人。

Words & Phrases doubter n. [C] If you refer to people as doubters, you mean that they have doubts about sth. , especially their religious or political system. 抱怀疑态度的人；不信宗 教的人；怀疑论者 e. g. 1. Some doubters fear this news may not be as good as it appears. 有些持怀疑态度的人担心这条新闻并非像报道那般美好。 2. Climate doubters raise various questions about water vapor, some trivial, some serious. 气候怀疑论者提出了许多关于水蒸气的问题，有些问题微 不足道，有些值得重视。 Word family: doubt v. & n.

Words & Phrases jealous a. 1. angry and upset because sb. you love is giving their attention to another person 妒忌的；嫉妒的 e. g. 1. Steve was a jealous husband. 史蒂夫是位妒忌心重的丈夫。 2. I would be insanely jealous if she left me for another man. 如果她为了别的男人离开我，我会妒忌得发疯的。 2. slightly angry because sb. else has sth. you would like, or can do sth. you would like to do 妒忌的；妒羡的 e. g. She was jealous of his wealth. 她忌妒他的富有。 Word family: jealousy n.

Words & Phrases earnest a. serious, determined, and meaning what you say 认真的；坚决的；郑重的 e. g. 1. The boy’s earnest effort counterbalance his slowness at learning. 这孩子孜孜不倦的努力抵消了他学习的迟钝。 2. The words were earnest but they fell on deaf ears. 言者谆谆，听者藐藐。 3. His expression is as earnest when he smiles as when he is arguing. 他无论是微笑还是争论的时候，表情都一贯的郑重其事。

Words & Phrases in earnest: more seriously, or with more energy and determination than before 认真地；坚决地 e. g. 1. Campaigning will begin in earnest tomorrow. 竞选将于明日郑重开始。 2. The two countries can finally start negotiating in earnest about issues of mutual concern. 两国终于可以开始就双方共同关心的问题进行更为认真的 谈判。 See also: earnestness

Words & Phrases earnestness n. [U] an earnest and sincere feeling or the trait of being serious 认真；诚挚；正经 e. g. 1. How many times have we told ourselves in complete earnestness, “I’m going to be more organized and productive from now on”? 多少次我们曾认真地对自己说“从现在开始我要活得更有 规划，更有成就”？ 2. The old man’s eyes sparkled with wisdom, earnestness and a childish smile. 老人的眼中闪烁着智慧的光芒，眼神笃定，时而还会露出 孩子般灿烂的笑容。 See also: earnest

Words & Phrases sincerity n. [U] an honest way of behaving that shows that you really mean what you say or do 真诚； 诚意；真挚 e. g. 1. Nobody that I spoke to doubted his sincerity as a politician. 和我谈过话的人中没有一个怀疑他身为政治家的诚意。 2. He tried hard to satisfy me of his sincerity. 他竭力让我了解他的诚意。 3. The film is made with sincerity. 这是部有诚意的电影作品。 Word family: sincere a.

Words & Phrases interfere vi. to deliberately become involved in a situation and try to influence the way that it develops, although you have no right to do this 介入；干涉；干预；妨碍 e. g. 1. I wish everyone would stop interfering and just leave me alone. 我希望大家都别再来干涉我，让我一个人静一静。 2. The UN can’t interfere in the internal affairs of any country. 联合国不能干涉任何国家的内政。 Word family: interference n. See also: interfere with

Words & Phrases face to face: 1. in a situation where you are meeting and talking to another person directly 面对面地；直接地 e. g. 1. Surprisingly, the study found children as well as adults preferred to communicate face to face. 令人惊讶的是，研究发现成人和孩子都更喜欢面对面交流。 2. Be sure the conversation can happen face to face in a private setting. 确保谈话是在比较私人的环境下面对面进行的。

Words & Phrases 2. in a situation where you are forced to deal directly with a problem 被迫直接面对 e. g. 1. She has suddenly come face to face with her own mortality. 她突然间陷入了直面死亡的境地。 2. Eventually, he came face to face with discrimination again. 最终，他又一次遭遇歧视。

Words & Phrases delight in: to get a lot of pleasure or enjoyment from sth. 以…为乐 e. g. 1. He delights in music. 他喜爱音乐。 2. Jay seems to delight in making other people suffer. 杰似乎以使他人痛苦为乐。 3. I delight in your company, simple as that. 我喜欢你陪在我身边，就是这么简单。

Words & Phrases be unworthy of: 1. to be less good than the standard you would normally expect 不配…；与…不相称 e. g. 1. He is unworthy of acting as your deputy. 他不配当你的代理人。 2. His accusations are unworthy of a prime minister. 他的指责不符合其首相身份。 3. He felt unworthy of being married to such an attractive woman. 他觉得自己不配娶这么迷人的女人。

Words & Phrases 2. to not deserve sth. 不值得 e. g. 1. We are unworthy of attention because we have no stories. 我们不值得被关注，因为我们身上没有故事。 2. It is unworthy of being mentioned. 这不值得一提。 See also: unworthy Antonym: be worthy of e. g. The hero lives a life worthy of imitation. Those who imitate a genuine hero experience life with new depth, enthusiasm, and meaning. (CET 4 -2003 -01) 英雄的人生值得效仿。以真实英雄为楷模的人所经历的人生会 有新的深度、激情和意义。

Words & Phrases set sb. free: to allow a person or an animal to be free 放走 某人（某动物） e. g. 1. I think all caged birds should be set free. 我认为所有关在笼里的鸟儿都应该放生。 2. The general ordered that the prisoners should be set free. 将军命令释放囚犯。 3. The nation was reunited and slaves were set free. 国家重新统一，奴隶获得了自由。

Words & Phrases have faith in: to have strong belief in or trust of sb. or sth. 信任；信赖 e. g. 1. I have faith in his ability to succeed. 我相信他有成功的能力。 2. There a lot of difficulties in front of us, yet we still have faith in victory. 虽然面临许多困难，我们仍对胜利充满信心。 3. I am set going forward, for me and for those who had faith in me. 我已经准备好勇往直前，为了我自己以及那些信任我的人。

Words & Phrases in sb. ’s eyes: according to what sb. thinks or feels 在某人 的眼里；在某人看来 e. g. 1. Suburb of themselves, would have made a pretty large town, in my eyes. 在我看来，这些郊区本身就是相当大的城镇。 2. In his eyes, the party would have only reminded him of how far he has drifted from some of his friends. 在他眼中，聚会只会提醒他一个事实，那就是他与一些朋 友开始有了距离。

Words & Phrases interfere with: to prevent sth. from happening or developing in the correct way 妨碍；扰乱 e. g. 1. It will seriously interfere with the progress of the work. 它将严重干扰 作的进展。 2. These low feelings affect how we function; they can interfere with our goals, work and family life. 这些低落的情绪影响我们发挥作用；可能会干扰我们的目 标、 作和家庭生活。 See also: interfere

Words & Phrases Ireland 爱尔兰岛（大不列颠岛以 西的一个大岛） Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic. Politically, Ireland is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially named Ireland), which covers five-sixths of the island, and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, in the northeast of the island. In 2011 the population of Ireland was about 6. 4 million, ranking it the second-most populous island in Europe after Great Britain. Just under 4. 6 million live in the Republic of Ireland just over 1. 8 million live in Northern Ireland. Political map of Ireland, showing the Republic of Ireland Northern Ireland

Language Points Extract from Jane Eyre Cultural points • Naming system: Jane Eyre addresses Edward Rochester very formally, calling him “Mr. Rochester” or “sir”, even after she has agreed to marry him. In contrast, Mr. Rochester addresses her by her first name, “Jane”. This is much less formal and reflects the difference in their social positions: Mr. Rochester is wealthy, Jane poor; Mr. Rochester is the employer, Jane the employee. Jane shows respect by using a high level of formality, while Mr. Rochester does not need to show such respect. • When mentioning his social equal Miss Ingram, Mr. Rochester uses a polite form of her name, not only her first name as he does with Jane. In the novel, naming shows status.

Language Points • Social status: In England in the 19 th century, there were large differences between the social classes. While Jane is quite well-educated, she is poor and an orphan, so she is forced to either work for a living or get married. Mr. Rochester is wealthy and owns a large estate, so he is of a much higher social class. He can afford to be more independent than Jane, as shown by his ability to choose between marrying Miss Ingram or Jane is badly treated by her relatives and teachers as a child, and as a governess when she becomes an adult. Her situation was common among poor women at this time.

Language Points Marriage arrangements: At the time that the novel was written, European society expected women to marry and have children. Generally, parents would decide who their children married, and few people married for love. Many people thought that love came after marriage, not before. A match would be based on the families’ social positions, their wealth and their behaviour. In some ways, it was similar to a business transaction. The woman’s family looked for a husband who could afford to support their daughter, and the man’s family looked for a respectable wife, and preferably one with a large dowry. A dowry was money or property that the woman’s family paid to the husband. A rich man like Rochester marrying a poor woman like Jane was extremely rare.

Language Points When I did speak, it was to express a passionate wish that I had never been born, or never come to Thornfield. Note: 助动词did在句中起强调作用。 e. g. I don’t play basketball, but I do love watching basketball games. 我不打篮球，但我确实喜欢看篮球比赛。 翻译：当我终于说出话来的时候，我表达了一个强烈的愿望：但 愿我从未出生过，但愿我从未来过桑菲尔德。

Language Points I have talked, face to face, with what I delight in — with a strong and original mind. I have talked face to face with the person I like — the person who has a strong and original mind. 翻译： 我和我所喜爱的一颗坚强而独特的心——面对面交谈过。

Language Points I am not talking to you now by the standards of custom and the world. 注意本句中的否定转移。not在语义上并不是否定talk，而是 否定by the standards of custom and the world，即I am talking to you now not by the standards …。 e. g. I’m not here to make trouble. I’m here to offer a hand. = I’m here not to make trouble. I’m here to offer a hand. 我来这里不是找麻烦的，而是来帮忙的。 翻译： 我现在并不是按照世俗的标准在跟您说话。

Language Points Make my happiness — I will make yours. Make me happy, and I will make you happy. 翻译： 让我幸福吧——我也会让你幸福的。

Exercises Reading and understanding Dealing with unfamiliar words Reading and interpreting Developing critical thinking

Exercises Reading and understanding 4 Answer the questions. 1 Why did Jane start to cry? 2 Did she feel she was speaking with her heart or head? 3 Why did Rochester say she was “like a wild bird”? 4 What did Rochester offer her? 5 Why did she think he was laughing at her? 6 Why did Miss Ingram no longer love Rochester? 7 Why did he pretend that Ingram still loved him? 8 What did Jane agree to do?

Exercises 1 Why did Jane start to cry? Jane cried because she loved Rochester but believed that she must leave him as he was engaged to Miss Ingram. 2 Did she feel she was speaking with her heart or head? She was speaking with her heart, as her strong emotions were “gaining control” and forcing her to speak. 3 Why did Rochester say she was “like a wild bird”? He said this because she was desperately trying to get out of his embrace, and struggling like a bird that had been caught.

Exercises 4 What did Rochester offer her? He offered her marriage (his hand), love (his heart) and a share of his possessions. 5 Why did she think he was laughing at her? Jane believed that Rochester had deceived her by becoming engaged to Miss Ingram. She couldn’t take his offer of marriage seriously and thought that Rochester was joking at her expense.

Exercises 6 Why did Miss Ingram no longer love Rochester? Miss Ingram never loved him. As shown by Rochester’s trick, Miss Ingram was only interested in his wealth. 7 Why did he pretend that Ingram still loved him? He did this to make Jane jealous and encourage her to marry him. 8 What did Jane agree to do? Jane agreed to marry Rochester after he finally convinced her of his love.

Exercises Dealing with unfamiliar words 5 Replace the underlined words with the correct form of the words below. 6 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words below. 7 Answer the questions about the words and expressions.

Exercises 5 Replace the underlined words with the correct form of the words below. conquer delightful grief humble passionate scorn 1 Jane’s enthusiasm for Rochester is evident when she weeps. passion 2 Her sadness at losing him makes her feelings more violent. grief 3 At first Jane doesn’t realize that she has won Rochester’s heart. conquered

Exercises conquer delightful grief humble passionate scorn 4 Our visit to Brontë Country in Yorkshire last year pleased us enormously. delighted 5 She showed her disapproval at my request to marry her. scorned 6 Jane considers herself as having a lowly status. humble

Exercises 6 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words below. enclose fate interfere jealous necessity original stir 1 The book is a(n) ______ tale of love and passion in stirring 19 th-century England. fate 2 Bertha’s ______ was to die in the second fire at Thornfield Hall. 3 Mr. Rochester was an intelligent man, original full of ______ ideas.

Exercises enclose fate interfere jealous necessity original stir necessary for her to 4 Rochester asks Jane why it’s ______ leave Thornfield. enclosed 5 When I told him I loved him, he ______ me in his arms and kissed me. 6 One of the most dangerous aspects of many relationships jealousy is ______, the feeling that someone you love is attracted to someone else. 7 My friend didn’t approve of her parents’ ______ in interference her affairs of the heart.

Exercises 7 Answer the questions about the words and expressions. 1 If you talk to someone face to face, are you (a) with them, or (b) some distance from them? 2 If something is unbearable, is it (a) easy, or (b) impossible to deal with? 3 If you do something which is unworthy, is it morally (a) wrong, or (b) right? 4 If you set someone free, do you (a) capture, or (b) release them? 5 If you have a share of something, do you have (a) all of it, or (b) some of it? 6 Jane saw that Rochester was earnest and plain-speaking, and she began to believe in his sincerity. Is sincerity (a) an honest, or (b) a dishonest way of behaving?

Exercises Reading and interpreting 8 Work in pairs. Look at the sentences from the passage and answer the questions.

Exercises • I am not talking to you now by the standards of custom and the world. It is my spirit that addresses your spirit, as if we stood before God, equal, as we are! 1 What can we learn about Jane’s character from her words? By saying that she is disregarding the standards of society and talking to Rochester as his equal, we can learn that Jane is unconventional and honest. She likes to speak openly and avoid misunderstandings. 2 Did women enjoy equal rights as men “by the standards of custom and the world”? No, they did not. By revealing her thoughts and emotions in such a forthright way, Jane is going against the social standards of the time, which required women to act more modestly.

Exercises • I caused a story to reach her that my fortune was not a third of what was supposed, and when I visited her to see the result, it was coldness from her and her mother. 3 Why did Miss Ingram and her mother show Rochester coldness during his visit? Mr. Rochester created a false rumour, saying that he was not as wealthy as he actually was. Miss Ingram and her mother believed the rumour. As they wanted Miss Ingram to marry Rochester for his wealth not for love, they no longer wanted the marriage to go ahead and acted coldly towards him. 4 What can we learn about people’s expectations of marriage at that time? At that time, wealth was an important factor when deciding who to marry. People could marry for love, as in Jane’s case, or for money. In addition, there were social rules that might dictate who to marry.

Exercises • “There is no one to interfere, sir. I have no relations to interfere. ” 5 What does Jane mean when she says this? Jane means that she has no family, so there is no one to oppose her marriage to Rochester.

Exercises Developing critical thinking 9 Work in pairs and discuss the questions. 1 How often does love occur as a theme in Chinese literature? 2 What are the dangers of great passion? 3 Is it most important to marry for love or are there other reasons to marry?

Exercises 1 How often does love occur as a theme in Chinese literature? Very often. Love is a major theme in many works of Chinese literature, such as A Dream of Red Mansions (《红 楼梦》 ) and Love in a Fallen City ( 《倾城之恋》).

Exercises 2 What are the dangers of great passion? Great passion cause people to make bad decisions or to act without thinking. It can lead to people neglecting their other needs and becoming obsessive. Literature has many examples of people destroying their lives or causing great unhappiness because they are too emotional to think clearly. Examples include Thorn Birds and Romeo and Juliet.

Exercises 3 Is it most important to marry for love or are there other reasons to marry? This probably depends on the personal, social, cultural and historical context. Nowadays, many people are expected to put love first. At different times and places, however, people may marry according to the social background of their family, their wealth or property, or according to their parents’ advice and arrangements — there are many arranged marriages in the world. In the past, people from royal or noble families generally married for political or economic reasons.