"Rochester: "I am no better than the old lightning-struck chestnut-tree in Thornfield orchard…And what right would that ruin have to bid a budding wo… - Charlotte Brontë

Engraved portrait of Charlotte Brontë, facing right

"Rochester: "I am no better than the old lightning-struck chestnut-tree in Thornfield orchard…And what right would that ruin have to bid a budding woodbine cover its decay with freshness?"

Jane: "You are no ruin sir - no lighting-struck tree: you are green and vigorous. Plants will grow about your roots, whether you ask them or not, because they take delight in your bountiful shadow; and as they grow they will lean towards you, and wind round you, because your strength offers them so safe a prop.

English
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About Charlotte Brontë

Charlotte Brontë (21 April 1816 – 31 March 1855) was an English novelist, the eldest of the three Brontë sisters, who first published her work under the pseudonym Currer Bell.

Biography information from Wikiquote · Portrait adapted from Wikimedia Commons, George Richmond (Public domain / CC0)

Also Known As

Alternative Names: Tree Florian Wellesley Lord Charles Albert Captain Tree Charles Wellesley Charlotte Bronte Currer Bell Karlotta Bronte Douro Mrs. A. B. Nicholls Charlotte Nicholls Sharlotta Bronte Mrs. Arthur Bell NichollsMrs. Arthur Bell Nicholls

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Shorter versions of this quote

You are no ruin sir — no lighting-struck tree: you are green and vigorous. Plants will grow about your roots, whether you ask them or not, because they take delight in your bountiful shadow; and as they grow they will lean towards you, and wind round you, because your strength offers them so safe a prop.

Additional quotes by Charlotte Brontë

"Jane: "St John dresses well. He is a handsome man: tall, fair, with blue eyes and a Grecian profile."

Rochester:(Aside) "Damn him!" (To me) "Did you like him, Jane?

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