Jane's Independence

"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will..." -Jane to Mr. Rochester 


This quote is from chapter 23, when Mr. Rochester proposes to Jane and she denies him. She keeps insisting that it is not the right thing to do since he says he's already engaged to Blanche to make her jealous, although he keeps pushing that he will give her his hand, his heart, and share all of his possessions. She wants to leave to Ireland, but he holds her tight while she is still struggling to escape from his clutches. Through her jerky movements trying to get away from him, he says, "Jane, be still; don't struggle so, like a wild frantic bird that is rending its own plumage in its desperation." This is when she clearly explains to him that she is NOT a bird, caught and trapped in some net. Basically, she is saying she doesn't want to be caught up in his problems and the things that he wants. She then explains to him how she is a free human being with an independent will, meaning that she should be able to do anything that she feels without anyone interfering with her decisions. This can relate to anybody, how they should not be forced into anything that they don't want to do and that they should have free will to do anything that they please. Should she marry him?