I am not deceitful: if I were, I should say I loved you; but I declare I do not love you: I dislike you the worst of anybody in the world except John Reed; and this book about the liar, you may give it to your girl, Georgiana, for it is she who tells lies, and not I.
– Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre, Chapter 4. An angry and hurt Jane asserts herself in this chapter and retaliates. Resentful of her aunt’s false accusations about her character, she defiantly walks up to her and asserts that she is no liar. Telling Mrs. Reed that she doesn’t love her, she declares that the only person she dislikes more is her son John. She suggests that Mrs. Reed give Mr. Brocklehurst’s book to her lying daughter Georgiana. The book, entitled the Child’s Guide, tells of the sudden death of “a naughty child addicted to falsehood and deceit.” It was was given to Jane by Brocklehurst.