Shirley

“As to the sufferers, whose sole inheritance was labour, and who had lost that inheritance—who could not get work, and consequently could not get wages, and consequently could not get bread—they were left to suffer on, perhaps inevitably left. It would not do to stop the progress of invention, to damage science by discouraging its improvements; the war could not be terminated; efficient relief could not be raised. There was no help then; so the unemployed underwent their destiny—ate the bread and drank the waters of affliction.”

Here, the narrator paints a realistic picture of what life was like for working people in Yorkshire during this period in history. The inclusion of this information gives readers a deeper look into issues that are not addressed or are opposed by many of the novel’s characters. The metaphor of inheritance in this quote also can be compared to other, more literal forms of inheritance addressed in the novel.

“Misery generates hate. These sufferers hated the machines which they believed took their bread from them; they hated the buildings which contained those machines; they hated the manufacturers who owned those buildings.”

This quotation again breaks down the double bind that contemporary laborers faced. The repetition of “hated” here also emphasizes how the misery and hate they are experiencing build upon one another, and the intensity of their feelings.

“To those of my own house I am no alien, which I am to these English clowns. I might act the benevolent with them, but acting is not my forte. I find them irrational, perverse; they hinder me when I long to hurry forward. In treating them justly I fulfil my whole duty towards them.”

This statement, delivered by Hortense to Robert, highlights how their foreign upbringing singles them out as outsiders in Yorkshire. Despite her efforts, Hortense can never be seen as “normal,” and this has embittered her to the community. She is a foil to Caroline, who also feels like an outsider, but who seeks out like-minded company and tries to act politely to those she finds frivolous.

“She would wish nature had made her a boy instead of a girl, that she might ask Robert to let her be his clerk, and sit with him in the counting-house, instead of sitting with Hortense in the parlour.”

The narrator gives this insight into Caroline’s thoughts, underscoring the limits contemporary women face because of their gender. This quotation highlights two of Caroline’s main interests: having something to do with her life and being with Robert. Though this thought comes when she thinks of how she wants to spend more time with Robert, it also shows Caroline’s inclination to be active and useful.

“In English country ladies there is this point to be remarked. Whether young or old, pretty or plain, dull or sprightly, they all (or almost all) have a certain expression stamped on their features, which seems to say, ‘I know—I do not boast of it, but I know that I am the standard of what is proper; let every one therefore whom I approach, or who approaches me, keep a sharp lookout, for wherein they differ from me—be the same in dress, manner, opinion, principle, or practice—therein they are wrong.”

This quotation illustrates the fine line contemporary women had to walk in order to be considered “proper.” Several times throughout the novel Caroline and/or Shirley address this standard and how it is almost impossible for women to do right in the eyes of those around them. This habit of “English country ladies” is a message of conformity, making it clear how difficult it is for women to be respectable and have a freedom of thought, expression, and behavior.

“At heart he could not abide sense in women. He liked to see them as silly, as light-headed, as vain, as open to ridicule as possible, because they were then in reality what he held them to be, and wished them to be—inferior, toys to play with, to amuse a vacant hour, and to be thrown away.”

The tone of the narrator in this quote about Helstone points to how his beliefs are entirely unfounded. Helstone upholds the double bind discussed in other quotations, showing that he knows women can be rational but liking them when they don’t challenge him and enable his self-interest in wanting to feel superior to them.

“When a man has been brought up only to make money, and lives to make it, and for nothing else, and scarcely breathes any other air than that of mills and markets, it seems odd to utter his name in a prayer, or to mix his idea with anything divine.”

Robert delivers this quote to Caroline when she tells him he is in her prayers. This quotation shows just how much Robert is unaccustomed to thinking of anything but his business and just how much his narrow views impact the rest of his life. Yet this also shows how this idea has been bred into Robert over time and is not due solely to his financial interests.

“Love can excuse anything except meanness; but meanness kills love, cripples even natural affection; without esteem true love cannot exist.”

There are several examples of love being killed by meanness throughout the novel, particularly in the case of the Helstone brothers. This quotation shows the importance of mutual respect in a marriage and how the younger generation of characters in the novel strive to find this in their relationships.

“How could Moore leave him thus, with the words, ‘I’ll never give in,’ and not a whisper of good-will, or hope, or aid?”

In this quotation, the narrator rebukes Robert for his ill treatment of his workers. After rejecting the pleas of William Farren, she points out just how cold it was to not offer any consolation even if he is unable to make any changes. This is one of many times the narrator brings the plight of the workers to the reader’s attention through her own voice.

“My dear, do not allow that habit of alluding to yourself as a gentleman to be confirmed. It is a strange one. Those who do not know you, hearing you speak thus, would think you affected masculine manners.”

Mrs. Pryor tells this to Shirley in reference to her habit of calling herself “Captain Keeldar.” This highlights Shirley’s unconventional manners for a woman of her time while implying just how much her reputation would suffer if she “affected masculine manners.” This is one of many ways Shirley emphasizes the ways women are limited in all aspects of their life.

“Nothing irks me like the idea of being a burden and a bore—an inevitable burden, a ceaseless bore! Now, when I feel my company superfluous, I can comfortably fold my independence round me like a mantle, and drop my pride like a veil, and withdraw to solitude. If married, that could not be.”

This statement of Shirley’s emphasizes how she has more liberties as an unmarried woman than a married one, especially given her financial situation. She says this to Caroline, who similarly fears being a burden on those around her and not doing anything important with her life. The similes comparing Shirley’s independence and pride to articles of clothing also suggest how these things provide her protection and a barrier from the outside world.

“Why should anybody have told me? Have I not an instinct? Can I not divine by analogy? Moore never talked to me either about Cowper, or Rousseau, or love. The voice we hear in solitude told me all I know on these subjects.”

Caroline says this to Shirley when they are discussing their opinions of poetry, The belief that this quote alludes to shows Caroline’s depth of thought and knowledge, and just before this Shirley asks if it was her opinion or if Caroline learned it from Robert. Caroline’s insistence here that she has her own thoughts and instincts highlights how the insights of women were often treated and also emphasizes Caroline’s intellect and independence.

“Shirley, men and women are so different; they are in such a different position. Women have so few things to think about, men so many. You may have a friendship for a man, while he is almost indifferent to you.”

Caroline says this to Shirley when Shirley asks about Robert’s feelings for Caroline. Although many of Caroline’s views would be considered radical at the time, this one is far more traditional when it comes to upholding established gender norms. It also emphasizes how uncertain Caroline is when it comes to Robert’s affection for her and how much her insecurities about this affect her.

“I cannot forget, either day or night, that these embittered feelings of the poor against the rich have been generated in suffering: they would neither hate nor envy us if they did not deem us so much happier than themselves. To allay this suffering, and thereby lessen this hate, let me, out of my abundance, give abundantly; and that the donation may go farther, let it be made wisely. To that intent, we must introduce some clear, calm, practical sense into our councils.”

Shirley says this to Caroline as she expresses her intentions of establishing a charity. Though a self-proclaimed woman of business, Shirley’s views here differ from those of Robert, showing how her innate kindness but also her distance from the operations of the mill give her a clearer insight into the issues faced by the workers. It also highlights the teamwork many of the women in the novel turn to, as Shirley says this immediately before enlisting the help of Miss Ainley rather than relying only on her own opinions and doing all the work herself.

“If men could see us as we really are, they would be a little amazed; but the cleverest, the acutest men are often under an illusion about women. They do not read them in a true light; they misapprehend them, both for good and evil. Their good woman is a queer thing, half doll, half angel; their bad woman almost always a fiend.”

Here, Shirley addresses the double bind faced by women in that they are only able to be perceived by men as either entirely good or entirely evil. This also relates to the dichotomy popular in 19th-century society and literature which tended to separate women into meek, conformist angels or immoral, dangerous “harpies.” This comment comes after Robert, although Shirley’s business partner as well as the other men, hid the news of the riot from the women because he assumed they would not be able to handle it rationally.

“God surely did not create us and cause us to live with the sole end of wishing always to die. I believe in my heart we were intended to prize life and enjoy it so long as we retain it. Existence never was originally meant to be that useless, blank, pale, slow-trailing thing it often becomes to many, and is becoming to me among the rest.”

Caroline thinks this as she contemplates what she will do for the remainder of her life. She notes that other unmarried women often throw themselves into charity work, thinking more of the rewards they will receive in the afterlife rather than how they are currently living their lives. Caroline’s allusions to God in this and the following quotes would also have been considered fairly radical as it was widely believed that the subjugation of women was something intended by God.

“I believe single women should have more to do—better chances of interesting and profitable occupation than they possess now. And when I speak thus I have no impression that I displease God by my words; that I am either impious or impatient, irreligious or sacrilegious. My consolation is, indeed, that God hears many a groan, and compassionates much grief which man stops his ears against, or frowns on with impotent contempt. I say impotent, for I observe that to such grievances as society cannot readily cure it usually forbids utterance, on pain of its scorn, this scorn being only a sort of tinselled cloak to its deformed weakness. People hate to be reminded of ills they are unable or unwilling to remedy.”

This is one of the most directly expressed radical beliefs Caroline mentions within the novel. Not only is she explicit and detailed as to her beliefs but she also shows how she believes her troubles are not God-given but human-made. Though she does not blame anyone directly, her insinuation that “people hate to be reminded of ills they are [...] unwilling to remedy” shows just how superfluous and unnecessary the suffering of women is.

“‘Is change necessary to happiness?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Is it synonymous with it?’ ‘I don't know; but I feel monotony and death to be almost the same.’”

This exchange between Caroline and Rose Yorke emphasizes the double-sided nature of change and progress. Especially at this moment when Caroline’s life feels monotonous and worthless, Rose points out her belief that anything is better than monotony. Even though she does not know if change and happiness are synonymous, this quote highlights how the lack of opportunity faced by women in this time could often feel comparable to death.

“She asked, was she thus to burn out and perish, her living light doing no good, never seen, never needed—a star in an else starless firmament, which nor shepherd, nor wanderer, nor sage, nor priest tracked as a guide or read as a prophecy? Could this be, she demanded, when the flame of her intelligence burned so vivid; when her life beat so true, and real, and potent; when something within her stirred disquieted, and restlessly asserted a God-given strength, for which it insisted she should find exercise?”

This thought of Caroline’s echoes those in quotations 17 and 18 and highlights her incredulity at the idea she, as an unmarried educated woman, is supposed to do nothing of importance with her life. The metaphors used in this quote are all religious and compare Caroline to a great sage or prophet whose talents are being wasted to the detriment of her and all around her.

“Come near, by all means, reader. Do not be shy. Stoop over his shoulder fearlessly, and read as he scribbles.”

The narrator makes this direct address to the audience as Louis begins to write down his feelings in a notebook. With her use of free indirect discourse, Brontë gives her narrator free reign over the thoughts and emotions of the characters but also the ability to express her own opinions on them. By following the narrator’s request, the readers are granted access to essentially the same position as the omniscient narrator.

“That is to say that you have the worst opinion of me; that you deny me the possession of all I value most. That is to say that I am a traitor to all my sisters; that I have acted as no woman can act without degrading herself and her sex; that I have sought where the incorrupt of my kind naturally scorn and abhor to seek.”

Robert recalls Shirley telling him this after his failed proposal as he tells the story to Yorke. His belief that Shirley is in love with him makes her feel he has tainted both their friendship and her friendship with Caroline by believing she had intentions toward him while knowing of Caroline’s feelings. This quotation emphasizes how much Shirley cares about her friendship with Caroline and how she puts her “sisters” above a traditional marriage.

“Whatever I am, Shirley is a bondswoman. Lioness, she has found her captor. Mistress she may be of all round her, but her own mistress she is not.”

Caroline says this to Robert when she reveals Shirley is in love. This highlights Shirley’s unique view of marriage and how she feels “any man who wishes to live in decent comfort with me as a husband must be able to control me” (525). It also emphasizes Louis’s unique position in relation to Shirley and how he, as someone who fully appreciates her fierceness and passion, is the only one who has gained her heart.

“Die without me if you will; live for me if you dare.”

Louis writes that Shirley told him this after he confessed that he loved her and would die without her. This quotation shows how Shirley is fully aware that she does not need a man in her life and that any who is part of her life will have to love her in spite of her unconventional manners.