I discerned in the course of the morning that Thornfield Hall was a changed place: no longer silent as a church, it echoed every hour or two to a knock at the door, or a clang of the bell; steps, too, often traversed the hall, and new voices spoke in different keys below; a rill from the outer world was flowing through it; it had a master: for my part, I liked it better.
Chapter 13 · Narrator
Context
Jane narrates her observations on the morning after Mr. Rochester's arrival at Thornfield. Previously quiet and routine, the household now receives visitors, conduct business, and fills with activity.
Analysis
The phrase 'a rill from the outer world was flowing through it' uses water imagery to contrast isolation and connection—the metaphor casts Thornfield's former silence as stagnant, and Rochester's arrival as bringing movement and life. Jane's closing clause, 'for my part, I liked it better,' is surprisingly direct; by stating her preference so plainly she positions herself as an active observer with desires, not merely a passive governess. The phrasing subtly establishes her as someone who craves engagement with the wider social world she has been cut off from.
Essay Tip
Use this to argue that Jane's narrative voice consistently reveals her desire for connection and stimulation, even before she admits it overtly—her approval of the 'changed place' shows she welcomes disruption to her isolated routine.