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34 votes
In this excerpt, mrs. fairfax greets jane, who has just arrived at thornfield. "how do you do, my dear? i am afraid you have had a tedious ride; john drives so slowly; you must be cold, come to the fire." "mrs. fairfax, i suppose?" said i. "yes, you are right: do sit down." she conducted me to her own chair, and then began to remove my shawl and untie my bonnet-strings; i begged she would not give herself so much trouble. "oh, it is no trouble; i dare say your own hands are almost numbed with cold. leah, make a little hot negus and cut a sandwich or two: here are the keys of the storeroom." . . . . "she treats me like a visitor," thought i. "i little expected such a reception; i anticipated only coldness and stiffness: this is not like what i have heard of the treatment of governesses; but i must not exult too soon." â€"jane eyre, charlotte brontë how does jane feel about the way mrs. fairfax treats her? jane is excited and concerned by the unexpected conversation. jane is unsettled by the attentive nature of mrs. fairfax. jane is enthused by the idea of a friendship with mrs. fairfax. jane is surprised by the friendliness of the encounter.

User Sam Stoelinga
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2 Answers

11 votes
11 votes

Final answer:

Jane is surprised by Mrs. Fairfax's warmth and friendliness, which was unlike what Jane expected for a governess's reception.

Step-by-step explanation:

Jane is surprised by the friendliness of the encounter with Mrs. Fairfax. Upon her arrival at Thornfield, Jane expected a more formal and distant reception typical of that given to governesses. Instead, she finds a warm welcome where Mrs. Fairfax offers to help her with her shawl and bonnet, suggests getting her something warm to drink, and treats her like a visitor rather than a subordinate. Jane notes this treatment, acknowledging that it's not what she anticipated and cautiously reminds herself not to get too excited too soon, indicating a mix of surprise and a degree of skepticism given the social norms of the time.

User MiseryIndex
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24 votes
24 votes

Answer: she is surprised by the friendliness of the encounter.

Step-by-step explanation:

She is surprised by the friendliness of the encounter.

User TraneHead
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