Read the following passage from Chapter 23 of Charlotte Brontë's novel *Jane Eyre* (1847).
(1) "I tell you I must go!" I retorted, roused to something like passion.
(2) "Do you think I can stay to become nothing to you? Do you think
(3) I am an automaton?—a machine without feelings? and can bear
(4) to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of
(5) living water spilt from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor,
(6) obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think
(7) wrong!—I have as much soul as you,—and full as much heart! And
(8) if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should
(9) have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to
(10) leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom,
(11) conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh;—it is my spirit that
(12) addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave,
(13) and we stood at God's feet, equal,—as we are!"
(14) "As we are!" repeated Mr. Rochester—"so," he added, enclosing me
(15) in his arms. "So, Jane!"
(16) "Yes, so, sir," I rejoined: "and yet not so; for you are a married
(17) man—or as good as a married man, and wed to one unlike you—
(18) to one with whom you have no sympathy—whom I do not believe you
(19) truly love; for I have seen and heard her; and I will not be your
(20) compeer in her place. Let me go."
(21) "Where, Jane? To Ireland?"
(22) "Yes, to Ireland. I have found a situation, and I must go."
(23) "Jane, be still; don't struggle so, like a wild, frantic bird that is
(24) rending its own plumage in its desperation."
(25) "I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human
(26) being with an independent will, which I now exert to leave you."
(27) Another effort subsided in my getting free, and I stood erect
(28) before him.
(29) "And your will shall decide your destiny," he said: "I offer you
(30) my hand, my heart, and a share of all my possessions."
(31) "You play a farce, which I merely laugh at."
(32) "I ask you to pass through life at my side—to be my second self,
(33) and best earthly companion."
Which of the following best describes the internal conflict revealed by Jane's assertions in lines 25–26 ("I am no bird... leave you")?
- Her deep love for Mr. Rochester vs. her absolute insistence on maintaining her moral autonomy and personal independenceAnswer
- BHer resentment of Mr. Rochester's wealth vs. a simple desire to assert social superiority over him
- CHer duty to fulfill her employment contract in Ireland vs. her literal desire to remain at Thornfield Hall
- DHer literal fear of physical imprisonment by Mr. Rochester vs. her plan to escape Thornfield
- EHer status as a direct mouthpiece for the author's feminist views vs. her actual romantic feelings