Eulogy

Today, we come not to mourn the loss of a person who has died, but to celebrate the love of a soul returning to God. At least, that was what Jane Eyre would want us to say. What an interesting and unusual life she led: after struggling through early years of scorn and sorrow she came to know many later years of happiness and pleasure. For she, as we all know, was truly in love with her husband and family and they filled her life with joy. Her sons and daughters are here, with tears in their eyes, confirming the words I speak. However, I recognize faces that were not quite friendly to this kind-hearted soul.

But what do we really know about her? Who exactly is Jane Eyre? Every single being in this church has a different story to tell or a different thought to share. Her husband might tell of the first moment he saw her or the days they sat and discussed life. Her sons and daughters might tell of the games they played with their mother or when she tucked them into bed. Her relatives might tell of the time she came back for her aunt’s funeral. Other relatives others might tell of the time she arrived unexpectedly at their doorstep. I for one have many stories, but my views could be quite different than yours.

Her wealthy cousins rejected this poor orphan. They hardly noticed that she was a human being, thinking that she resembled more of a rat or pest of some kind. She had done nothing except to be herself, yet these people thought of her as the lowest creature alive. She was sent off to a terrible boarding school. But she was extremely happy, for it meant that she was freed from her malicious extended family. She grew to become an educated young lady with many features that were remarkable. Jane became quite a drawing expert and her piano playing was beautiful. Even her two pampered and well-schooled cousins could not achieve such quality technique as her.

When Mr. Rochester fell in love with Jane and proposed for the first time, he complimented her repeatedly and bought the finest silk dresses for her. Jane had never been used to that kind of flattery. She often had seen how false flattery was, and how it was used by people of the higher classes. She much preferred plain dresses and honest criticism from people that she knew and respected in place of flattering statements from people who seemed insincere.

When Jane found out that Mr. Rochester was already married, she was crushed. But after he explained everything, she told him that she could not stay. She left without saying good-bye so that it would not be harder than it already was and they wouldn’t be remembered by their good-byes. She didn’t take the pearls or any other presents he has given her so she would not be thought of as a thief or a person who was just after his money.

Although she begged and finally was helped by a family of caring souls, she paid them back every cent she owed them and more. Later when she found out she was rich, she split the money equally with her poor cousins that she was staying with, and then she accompanied her cousin, St. John, to teach a school.

After she was well settled on her feet, she decided to go back to Mr. Rochester, because she knew she truly loved him. Sadly, she found Mr. Rochester was fully incapable of taking care of himself because he had been in a fire, and he was now blind with a hand missing. She committed her life to taking care of him, and being at his side for the rest of her life. Later she married him, the love of her life, and grew old with him. Their beautiful children are among you at this very moment.

She is a perfect example of what we should strive to become. Through all her struggles, pain and tears, she emerged, a lady of great stature and enjoyed true happiness and love. How many of you can say the same? How many of you have gone through difficulties to match what Jane had to deal with? If your struggles have matched hers, can you say that you have come out as wonderful as Jane Eyre? I, for one, don’t know anyone who has.