To Be

“I learned the first two tenses of the verb Etre...” (pg. 88)

The French verb etre is translated as “to be” in English. In most cases, when learning French, this verb is the first to be taught. When conjugated, the tenses are: je suis (I am), tu as (you are), etc. It seems most fitting that Jane would learn this simplistic verb form because she is learning to be someone different; she is becoming a more refined and sophisticated individual. Bronte chose this verb for Jane to learn in order to illustrate her growth.