" 'Yes,' and to the word she gave a sweet, submissive intonation which made it expressive of the respect, regard, and confidence which men find pleasantest when women feel and show it. Unconsciously his face softened, and he looked up at her with a different glance from any he had ever given her before."
This passage records the manipulative ways of Jean Muir. Having understood that passivity and submissiveness were much desired traits in women, she pretends to be docile and obedient towards the Coventry men in order to flatter there masculine vanity, and gain their affections. Such clever design as hers works like a charm, for even Gerald, who is very suspicious of her character at the beginning of their acquaintance, falls a victim to such affected deference and docility.
"She had darkened her skin, painted her eyebrows, disposed some wild black locks over her fair hair, and thrown such an intensity of expression into her eyes that they darkened and dilated till they were as fierce as any southern eyes that ever flashed".
This quote sets before the reader’s eyes the true power of Jean Muir as an actress. Throughout the story, she makes use of her acting skills and talents to hide behind the assumed identity of a governess. The perfection of her art makes the reader take it, along with the performer, for granted. It is only when Jean adds another disguise and mask to her initial one that the reader becomes cognizant of her impressive skills, and the seemingly unlimited stock of her talents.
"Why he checked Jean's name on his lips and substituted another's, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her."
This passage marks Jean’s conquest of Gerald. His initial attitude of suspicion and haughtiness has been completely annihilated at this point under the artful ways of the governess. Having surveyed and understood his character, she worked her way slowly and steadily towards his subjugation. She had ignored him, avoided his company, and made him desirous of her society. Then, she showed him the docile and feminine sides of her personality inflaming him gradually, and pushing him towards the inevitable result such artful seduction would lead to.
“It had been a very warm day, and for the first time she had left off her plain black dress. All in white with no ornament but her fair hair, and a fragrant posy of violets in her belt, she looked a different woman from the meek, nunlike creature one usually saw about the house. Her face was as altered as her dress, for now a soft color glowed in her cheeks, her eyes smiled shyly, and her lips no longer wore the firm look of one who forcibly repressed every emotion. A fresh, gentle, and charming woman she seemed, and Coventry found the dull room suddenly brightened by her presence.”
This scene follows Gerald’s injury at the hands of his younger brother. The conflict arose between the siblings because the governess appealed to the elder son for protection displaying thus the desired frailty and helplessness in her character. Having driven these notions into Gerald’s brain, she now came back to show him her feminine beauty and sexual desirability. Jean’s actions are careful and clever. The beautiful and delicate woman she made when calling on Gerald in his room is a measured step to convince him of her appeal, and entangle him further in her charms.
“‘Take your hand away and treat me with proper respect, or you will be dismissed from this house. Do you know who I am?’ And Jean drew herself up with a haughty air, which impressed the woman more deeply than her words. ‘I am the daughter of Lady Howard and, if I choose it, can be the wife of Mr. Coventry.’”
This quote sums up the nature of relationships and status within the late-Victorian society. As a governess tied to the ranks of lower classes through her humble birth, Jean had no power and no value above that of a servant. Thus, she came up with a convincing story linking her to noble origins by being the daughter of a distinguished Lady. This had made all the difference in her situation, and gave her the respect and power that would have never become hers otherwise.
“‘You have been kind to me,’ she said, with grateful warmth. ‘I thank you for it, and will repay it if I can. To you I will acknowledge that I am not worthy to be this good man’s wife, and to you I will solemnly promise to devote my life to his happiness. For his sake forgive me, and let there be peace between us.’”
These are the final words of Jean Muir to Bella, Edward, and their mother; probably, the first honest utterance of hers in the work too. These words give an insight into her character, and draw it in colors so different from those of deception and deceit which hung about her all along the story. The true nature of Jean is not an evil one. She was driven to extreme measures by her dire circumstances and the great injustice she had suffered on the hands of society. Her last appeal to the family shows the true loving and honest nature of her personality; traits that were marred and disfigured by unjust societal conventions.
