Day 2: Quote 2

So for my second day of quotes I chose from one of my favorite books of all time Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte that I’ve read at least three or four times (or at least it feels that way…perhaps I haven’t).

“I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself.”
― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

Not quite the same profound quality as De Profundis, but it is one of my favorite books, and I have always related to Jane in feeling quite passed over at times. I’ve felt like her in terms of having to make choices where I’ve either had to choose to be nice to someone else or not allow myself to be treated like a doormat. And this year in particular I’ve tried to be better at respecting myself. I’ve tried to remember that I matter too. And in this moment where Jane wonders if she should simply give in because no one cares about her, she realizes how important it is to care about yourself.

So I suppose all that’s left to say is this is important. You must care for yourself. Even if no one else does. Even if other people around you constantly treat you like you don’t matter. You need to know you matter. Self-worth is just so incredibly important. And if a character like Jane who was abandoned by her only family, and abused in school, and made fun of by wealthy ladies can have some sense of self-respect, then so can you.

I’m not saying to be a jerk. I’m saying, like Jane, recognize moments when people are treating you wrong and don’t let them. Recognize when you need to walk away from relationships. Recognize when you deserve an apology and shouldn’t compromise on getting one. Let yourself be bold and brave and unwilling to back down sometimes. There are moments for forgiveness and passive behavior. And there are moments you need to stand up and say no.

For today I tag Natalie at Fluent Historian. She’s a wonderful blogger who writes on history and writing. She makes beautiful observations about the world! Anyhow, the rules are that you post three quotes in three days, tagging one person each day. Obviously, anyone I tag is under no obligation to actually do the challenge, and anyone I don’t tag is free to do it if they wish!

So, short post, but I wanted to put this up. Honestly, I wish I read more books with beautiful, meaningful quotes. But this one is just one of my favorites regardless.

Any favorite quotes to share with me for non-tagged readers? Any thoughts on self-respect? Any thoughts on being bold and balancing that with being kind? Any fellow Jane Eyre lovers want to speak about what you love in this book?

Those Moments we Understand Books the Best

I’ve spent a lazy weekend unwilling to even start studying for finals, but as I wasted time today I re-watched the Masterpiece version of Jane Eyre from 2006.

Now for those who don’t know Jane Eyre is probably one of my all time favorite books. There are few others that can reduce me to such utter happiness when I read, make me smile and laugh and cry all at once. And watching the movie just reminds me so much of the book I fell in love with all those years ago.

Now I think Jane had a special meaning to me this time I watched. I’m leaving to go off to France next semester leaving behind my college to go study abroad. And while I’m certainly excited and looking forward to the whole thing, another part of me is saddened at having to leave behind the place I’ve grown so familiar with over the last two and a half years.

And in finding myself in this situation I’ve constantly found myself sympathizing with literary characters like Jane as they leave their familiar homes behind, the places they’ve come to know and love so well over a significant portion of their lives. I feel like Jane leaving Thornfield, Harry leaving Hogwarts, Lucy leaving Narnia, Oliver Twist being forced from the Brownlow’s.

That’s not to say I don’t want to go to France, it’s merely that I dread leaving the place I’ve become so familiar with. I have a loving home back with my parents to be sure, but something about college has just really clicked for me. I have learned more about myself than I ever dreamed I would, have met wonderful new friends who support me in my growth, and have simply found a place I can only describe as home.

And to be sure I’m embarking out on a grand adventure. But I’m like Samwise Gamgee heading out of the Shire, a little wary to leave the place that has been so safe and good for him all his life.

He looks at Frodo on the first little bit of their walk and says:

“If I take one more step, it’ll be the farthest away from home I’ve ever been.”

The road ahead of me is still so shadowed, unknown. I feel in many ways like I’m setting out without a map, no concept of what might happen of where this journey might lead me. But I know if my books have taught me anything that even if the road will be hard that it will be worth it and that this new stage of my life is going to change and shape me.

So I cling to my books right now in hopes of comforting myself as I set out. It’s moments like these that I feel like I truly understand why literature exists in giving us a sense of shared human experience and understanding for our struggles and fears.

I suppose I should warn you dear readers that I will possibly be taking a break from my blog for a while as I study abroad. I need to focus on learning the language and shouldn’t spend too much time using English. I will probably start a blog about my travels though and will be sure to announce when that’s up.

But regardless I still just wanted to share that brief moment of happiness in recognizing the way I see literature in my own life and the hope I have as I head out for my grand adventure. To all friends from my new “home” at school, just know I will miss you. I feel like Harry leaving Ron and Hermione, or Lucy leaving Mr. Tumnus. I will miss all of you, but I will be back one day for sure. And I look forward to sharing with you the adventures I’ve had in my time away. And since I can’t take you with me I take the hope books have given me about friendships, adventures, and everything else. To my followers, don’t give up on me yet. I’ll try to keep this going as long as I can. 

So, what ways have you seen parts of your favorite book in your own life? What hope do characters give you?