5. Jane Eyre: (pg. 125)

5. Jane Eyre: (pg. 125)
"You are afraid of me, because I talk like a Sphynx."

The word sphynx means “strangler”. The Greeks first used this word to describe a “fabulous creature which had the head of a woman, the body of a lion and the wings of a bird.” Bronte uses the word “sphynx” to describe the way Mr. Rochester is speaking to Jane Eyre. Mr. Rochester is very abrupt and bewildering; Bronte is saying that his words are nearly strangling Jane Eyre. He is saying that he is mysterious to Jane. The sphynx would be a truly terrifying create to stumble upon (through appearances). However, Jane replies to this comment by stating “Your language is enigmatical, sir: but though I am bewildered, I am certainly not afraid." Bronte develops Jane’s character as straightforward, strong and independent.

"Sphinx." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 01 Dec. 2009. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Sphinx.

Winston, Allen. “The Great Sphinx of Giza.” Tour Egypt. InterCityOz. Inc. 1999-2003. 27 November 2009. http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/sphinx1.htm