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Anxious Quote by Charlotte Brontë

“At that time, I well remember whatever could excite - certain accidents of the weather, for instance, were almost dreaded by me, because they woke the being I was always lulling, and stirred up a craving cry I could not satisfy. One night a thunder-storm broke; a sort of hurricane shook us in our…” quote by Charlotte Brontë
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““At that time, I well remember whatever could excite - certain accidents of the weather, for instance, were almost dreaded by me, because they woke the being I was always lulling, and stirred up a craving cry I could not satisfy. One night a thunder-storm broke; a sort of hurricane shook us in our beds: the Catholics rose in panic and prayed to their saints. As for me, the tempest took hold of me with tyranny: I was roughly roused and obliged to live. I got up and dressed myself, and creeping outside the basement close by my bed, sat on its ledge, with my feet on the roof of a lower adjoining building. It was wet, it was wild, it was pitch dark. Within the dormitory they gathered round the night-lamp in consternation, praying loud. I could not go in: too resistless was the delight of staying with the wild hour, black and full of thunder, pealing out such an ode as language never delivered to man - too terribly glorious, the spectacle of clouds, split and pierced by white and blinding bolts.””

Charlotte Brontë

About This Quote

Source Novel: Jane Eyre, 1847

The narrator feels an irresistible, almost ecstatic pull toward the storm, preferring its raw, untamed power over the safety of the dormitory and the prayers of others.

In simple terms: She is drawn to the wild storm, finding it more alive than the calm.

Key Takeaway

Embrace moments that awaken your senses.

Themes

nature wildness longing solitude

Mood

intense reflective

Type

literary descriptive

When to use this quote

  • storm watching
  • nighttime reflection
  • creative writing
  • seeking inspiration

Key Concepts

romanticism existential awe sensory immersion

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does the storm symbolize for you?
  • How do you balance awe with duty?
A Different Perspective

The storm’s allure may be fleeting and can distract from responsibilities.

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