Original Text(~250 words)
Presentiments are strange things! and so are sympathies; and so are signs; and the three combined make one mystery to which humanity has not yet found the key. I never laughed at presentiments in my life, because I have had strange ones of my own. Sympathies, I believe, exist (for instance, between far-distant, long-absent, wholly estranged relatives asserting, notwithstanding their alienation, the unity of the source to which each traces his origin) whose workings baffle mortal comprehension. A Jane reflects on the mysterious nature of presentiments, sympathies, and signs, particularly focusing on her recent recurring dreams of infants. She recalls Bessie's superstition that dreaming of children foretells trouble, which proved true when Bessie's sister died. For seven consecutive nights, Jane has dreamed of babies in various states and situations, creating an ominous atmosphere that makes her nervous. The chapter's central event occurs when Robert Leaven, the Reeds' coachman whom Jane remembers from Gateshead, arrives with devastating news. John Reed, Jane's cruel cousin, has died under scandalous circumstances after years of debauchery, gambling, and self-destruction. His death appears to be suicide, and the shock has caused his mother, Mrs. Reed, to suffer a stroke. In her weakened state, Mrs. Reed has been calling for Jane, asking to see her before she dies. Jane must request leave from Mr. Rochester to visit her dying aunt. This scene reveals the social dynamics at Thornfield, as Jane interrupts Rochester's billiards game with Blanche Ingram and the fashionable guests. Blanche's haughty dismissal of Jane as...
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Summary
Jane reflects on the mysterious nature of presentiments, sympathies, and signs, particularly focusing on her recent recurring dreams of infants. She recalls Bessie's superstition that dreaming of children foretells trouble, which proved true when Bessie's sister died. For seven consecutive nights, Jane has dreamed of babies in various states and situations, creating an ominous atmosphere that makes her nervous. The chapter's central event occurs when Robert Leaven, the Reeds' coachman whom Jane remembers from Gateshead, arrives with devastating news. John Reed, Jane's cruel cousin, has died under scandalous circumstances after years of debauchery, gambling, and self-destruction. His death appears to be suicide, and the shock has caused his mother, Mrs. Reed, to suffer a stroke. In her weakened state, Mrs. Reed has been calling for Jane, asking to see her before she dies. Jane must request leave from Mr. Rochester to visit her dying aunt. This scene reveals the social dynamics at Thornfield, as Jane interrupts Rochester's billiards game with Blanche Ingram and the fashionable guests. Blanche's haughty dismissal of Jane as 'that person' and 'the creeping creature' demonstrates the class prejudice Jane faces daily. Rochester's conversation with Jane reveals new information about her family background, as he learns for the first time about her connection to the Reed family. The chapter establishes Jane's moral obligation to visit Mrs. Reed despite their troubled past, showing her capacity for forgiveness and duty. It also foreshadows significant developments, as Jane's departure from Thornfield will interrupt her growing relationship with Rochester and potentially change the trajectory of her life. The supernatural elements and omens suggest that this journey will bring more than just a deathbed reconciliation.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Presentiment
A feeling or intuition about what will happen in the future, especially concerning something bad
Crape
A thin, crinkled fabric typically worn as a sign of mourning; also refers to black mourning bands
Chambers
Private rooms or lodgings, often referring to a gentleman's private apartments in London
Missis
Dialectal form of 'mistress,' used by servants to refer to the lady of the house
Characters in This Chapter
Robert Leaven
Messenger from the past
Former coachman at Gateshead, married to Bessie, who brings news of the Reed family tragedy
John Reed
Jane's deceased cousin
Jane's cruel childhood tormentor who died by apparent suicide after a life of debauchery and financial ruin
Mrs. Reed
Jane's dying aunt
Jane's aunt who cast her off as a child, now suffering from a stroke and calling for Jane on her deathbed
Blanche Ingram
Social superior and rival
Elegant, haughty woman who demonstrates class prejudice by dismissing Jane as 'that person'
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
Literary Insight
Brontë explores the complex psychology of family obligation and forgiveness, showing how we can maintain moral integrity even toward those who have wronged us.
Today's Relevance
The chapter addresses timeless questions about duty to family, the impact of class prejudice, and how we respond to those who have rejected us, issues that remain relevant in contemporary discussions of family dynamics and social justice.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Presentiments are strange things! and so are sympathies; and so are signs; and the three combined make one mystery to which humanity has not yet found the key."
Context: Opening reflection on supernatural phenomena and mysterious connections between people
"Does that person want you?"
Context: Dismissive reference to Jane, demonstrating class prejudice and social hierarchy at Thornfield
"None that would own me, sir. Mr. Reed is dead, and his wife cast me off."
Context: Jane explains her family situation to Rochester, revealing her history of rejection and abandonment
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
Thematic Threads
Social Class
In This Chapter
Development
In Your Life:
When have you felt judged or excluded based on your background, income, or social status? How did you navigate situations where you felt you didn't quite 'fit in' with a particular group?
Independence
In This Chapter
Development
In Your Life:
What's the hardest choice you've had to make between financial security and personal freedom? When have you had to choose between what's practical and what feels true to who you are?
Family and Belonging
In This Chapter
Development
In Your Life:
How do you handle the tension between loyalty to family and pursuing your own path when they conflict? What does 'home' mean to you when your family relationships are complicated or distant?
Modern Adaptation
The Nanny's Family Crisis
Following Jane's story...
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
How do Jane's prophetic dreams function as both literary device and psychological insight into her emotional state?
- 2
What does Blanche Ingram's treatment of Jane reveal about Victorian class attitudes, and how do similar prejudices manifest today?
- 3
Should Jane feel obligated to visit Mrs. Reed given their history, and what does her decision reveal about her character?
Critical Thinking Exercise
Analyze how Brontë uses the supernatural elements (dreams, presentiments, omens) in this chapter to advance both plot and character development. Consider how these Gothic elements serve the novel's broader themes of connection, isolation, and moral choice.
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 22: Return to Thornfield
The coming pages reveal jane's experiences at gateshead have strengthened her sense of independence and self-worth, and teach us the contrasting paths chosen by eliza and georgiana after their mother's death. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.