Chapter XXXI

Question 1

What does St. John begin doing that reveals his intense personal interest in Jane?

Answer 1

He starts to teach her Hindostanee (the language for his missionary work in India).

Question 2

What does St. John suddenly notice while Jane is concentrating on her studies?

Answer 2

He sees her real name, “Jane Eyre,” written on a scrap of paper that she used for a drawing.

Question 3

How does St. John react to finding out Jane’s true name?

Answer 3

He is intensely agitated and suspicious, questioning her closely about her background.

Question 4

What is Jane’s immediate fear when St. John discovers her identity?

Answer 4

She fears he will inform Mr. Rochester and send her back to Thornfield.

Question 5

What is the topic of conversation that St. John avoids for several days after learning her name?

Answer 5

He avoids any mention of Jane’s past or why she used a false name (“Elliott”).

Question 6

What document does St. John show Jane to reveal the extraordinary truth about their relationship?

Answer 6

A letter from a solicitor, Mr. Briggs.

Question 7

What is the extraordinary news contained in the letter from Mr. Briggs?

Answer 7

That Jane Eyre’s wealthy Uncle John Eyre has died and left her his entire fortune of £20,000.

Question 8

How are the Rivers siblings related to Jane Eyre?

Answer 8

They are her first cousins on her mother’s side (Jane’s mother and their father were brother and sister to Jane’s mother and father). Correction: Jane’s mother was sister to Mr. Reed. The Rivers are related through a different connection: their uncle, Mr. John Eyre, was Jane’s mother’s brother, making Jane and the Rivers cousins.

Question 9

Why had Mr. Briggs been unable to locate Jane initially?

Answer 9

She had been using the name “Jane Elliott” and was in a remote village.

Question 10

How did Mr. Briggs eventually trace Jane to Moor House?

Answer 10

He sought out the closest living relatives of the deceased Mr. Eyre, which were the Rivers siblings.

Question 11

What does Jane immediately resolve to do with her inheritance?

Answer 11

To divide it equally among herself and her three cousins (Diana, Mary, and St. John).

Question 12

How does St. John react to Jane’s decision to share the £20,000?

Answer 12

He is shocked but eventually expresses deep approval of her moral generosity.

Question 13

What is the final, happy realization for Jane regarding her family?

Answer 13

She is no longer alone in the world; she has kindred and a true home at Moor House.

Question 14

How does the relationship between Jane and the Rivers siblings change after the discovery?

Answer 14

It becomes one of genuine affection and familial equality.

Question 15

What does Jane insist on doing immediately for her cousins?

Answer 15

She insists on writing letters to Diana and Mary, telling them to come home to Moor House.