I found him a very patient, very forbearing, and yet an exacting master; he expected me to do a great deal, and when I fulfilled his expectations he, in his own way, fully testified his approbation. By degrees, he acquired a certain influence over me that took away my liberty of mind…I could no longer talk or laugh freely when he was by…When he said “go,” I went! “come,” I came; “do this,” I did it. But I did not love my servitude: I wished, many a time, he had continued to neglect me.
– Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre, Chapter 34. St. John insists that Jane become his student and learn the Hindostenee language. While she concedes that he is patient, she finds him extremely demanding. Jane goes on to describe a form of mental imprisonment imposed on her. It is done by a man who clearly likes to exert a domineering and controlling influence over a woman. Jane doesn’t like her “servitude” one bit. Her cousin St. John behaves as her “master,” takes away her mental freedom and prevents her from being able to talk or laugh freely. St. John doesn’t see Jane as an independent person with free will and her own personal inclinations.