All 50 Uses of
however
in
Jane Eyre
- There were moments when I was bewildered by the terror he inspired, because I had no appeal whatever against either his menaces or his inflictions; the servants did not like to offend their young master by taking my part against him, and Mrs. Reed was blind and deaf on the subject: she never saw him strike or heard him abuse me, though he did both now and then in her very presence, more frequently, however, behind her back.
p. 12.9however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- Fearful, however, of losing this first and only opportunity of relieving my grief by imparting it, I, after a disturbed pause, contrived to frame a meagre, though, as far as it went, true response.
p. 29.3
- Not a hint, however, did she drop about sending me to school: still I felt an instinctive certainty that she would not long endure me under the same roof with her; for her glance, now more than ever, when turned on me, expressed an insuperable and rooted aversion.
p. 33.5
- Well might I dread, well might I dislike Mrs. Reed; for it was her nature to wound me cruelly; never was I happy in her presence; however carefully I obeyed, however strenuously I strove to please her, my efforts were still repulsed and repaid by such sentences as the above.
p. 41.2however = regardless of how
- Well might I dread, well might I dislike Mrs. Reed; for it was her nature to wound me cruelly; never was I happy in her presence; however carefully I obeyed, however strenuously I strove to please her, my efforts were still repulsed and repaid by such sentences as the above.
p. 41.2
- "Deceit is, indeed, a sad fault in a child," said Mr. Brocklehurst; "it is akin to falsehood, and all liars will have their portion in the lake burning with fire and brimstone; she shall, however, be watched, Mrs. Reed."
p. 41.6however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- When it came to my turn, I drank, for I was thirsty, but did not touch the food, excitement and fatigue rendering me incapable of eating: I now saw, however, that it was a thin oaten cake shaved into fragments.
p. 53.4however = though (used to connect contrasting ideas)
- The refectory was a great, low-ceiled, gloomy room; on two long tables smoked basins of something hot, which, however, to my dismay, sent forth an odour far from inviting.
p. 54.8
- Miss Temple passed her handkerchief over her lips, as if to smooth away the involuntary smile that curled them; she gave the order, however, and when the first class could take in what was required of them, they obeyed.
p. 76.4however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- How fragrant was the steam of the beverage, and the scent of the toast! of which, however, I, to my dismay (for I was beginning to be hungry) discerned only a very small portion: Miss Temple discerned it too.
p. 85.8
- While I tried to devour my tears, a fit of coughing seized Helen; it did not, however, wake the nurse; when it was over, she lay some minutes exhausted; then she whispered — "Jane, your little feet are bare; lie down and cover yourself with my quilt."
p. 96.9
- The succeeding week seemed long: it came to an end at last, however, like all sublunary things, and once more, towards the close of a pleasant autumn day, I found myself afoot on the road to Lowton.
p. 104.3
- Even when we finally retired for the night, the inevitable Miss Gryce was still my companion: we had only a short end of candle in our candlestick, and I dreaded lest she should talk till it was all burnt out; fortunately, however, the heavy supper she had eaten produced a soporific effect: she was already snoring before I had finished undressing.
p. 105.1
- "Will you walk this way, ma'am?" said the girl; and I followed her across a square hall with high doors all round: she ushered me into a room whose double illumination of fire and candle at first dazzled me, contrasting as it did with the darkness to which my eyes had been for two hours inured; when I could see, however, a cosy and agreeable picture presented itself to my view.
p. 113.8
- However, when I had brushed my hair very smooth, and put on my black frock — which, Quakerlike as it was, at least had the merit of fitting to a nicety — and adjusted my clean white tucker, I thought I should do respectably enough to appear before Mrs. Fairfax, and that my new pupil would not at least recoil from me with antipathy.
p. 117.5
- However, the event showed me I was a fool for entertaining a sense even of surprise.
p. 127.3
- It was exactly one form of Bessie's Gytrash — a lion-like creature with long hair and a huge head: it passed me, however, quietly enough; not staying to look up, with strange pretercanine eyes, in my face, as I half expected it would.
p. 132.9
- However, I mentally shake hands with you for your answer, despite its inaccuracy; and as much for the manner in which it was said, as for the substance of the speech; the manner was frank and sincere; one does not often see such a manner: no, on the contrary, affectation, or coldness, or stupid, coarse-minded misapprehension of one's meaning are the usual rewards of candour.
p. 158.2
- However, my tenderest feelings are about to receive a shock: such is my presentiment; stay now, to see whether it will be realised.
p. 163.4
- My Spring is gone, however, but it has left me that French floweret on my hands, which, in some moods, I would fain be rid of.
p. 163.9
- A woman who could betray me for such a rival was not worth contending for; she deserved only scorn; less, however, than I, who had been her dupe.
p. 169.2
- However, to please her, I allowed Sophie to apparel her in one of her short, full muslin frocks.
p. 193.2
- It was not, however, so saturnine a pride! she laughed continually; her laugh was satirical, and so was the habitual expression of her arched and haughty lip.
p. 200.8
- She stirred the fire, so that a ripple of light broke from the disturbed coal: the glare, however, as she sat, only threw her face into deeper shadow: mine, it illumined.
p. 229.5
- Not, however, to go to bed: on the contrary, I began and dressed myself carefully.
p. 240.3
- I must keep to my post, however.†
p. 243.1however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using "though", "in spite of that", "in contrast", "nevertheless", etc.
- Yes, it makes me impatient to hear you: but, however, you have suffered, and are likely to suffer enough for not taking my advice; so I'll say no more.
p. 246.1however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- I, supposing he had done with me, prepared to return to the house; again, however, I heard him call "Jane!"
p. 249.2
- Mr. Rochester took it, leaving room, however, for me: but I stood before him.
p. 251.3
- The west wind whispered in the ivy round me; but no gentle Ariel borrowed its breath as a medium of speech: the birds sang in the tree-tops; but their song, however sweet, was inarticulate.
p. 252.6however = regardless of how
- It was only yesterday morning, however, that Bessie understood she was pronouncing your name; and at last she made out the words, 'Bring Jane — fetch Jane Eyre: I want to speak to her.'
p. 256.5however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- It required some courage to disturb so interesting a party; my errand, however, was one I could not defer, so I approached the master where he stood at Miss Ingram's side.
p. 257.2
- A sneer, however, whether covert or open, had now no longer that power over me it once possessed: as I sat between my cousins, I was surprised to find how easy I felt under the total neglect of the one and the semi-sarcastic attentions of the other — Eliza did not mortify, nor Georgiana ruffle me.
p. 264.2
- She, however, did not die: but I said she did — I wish she had died!
p. 267.2
- One day, however, as she put away her account-book and unfolded her embroidery, she suddenly took her up thus — "Georgiana, a more vain and absurd animal than you was certainly never allowed to cumber the earth."
p. 271.5
- Neglect it — go on as heretofore, craving, whining, and idling — and suffer the results of your idiocy, however bad and insuperable they may be.
p. 272.2 *however = to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
- However, it is not my business, and so it suits you, I don't much care.
p. 279.6however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- I did not cry so as to be heard, however; I avoided sobbing.
p. 290.7 *however = in whatever way
- He pursued his theme, however, without noticing my deprecation.
p. 299.8however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- However, had they been married, they would no doubt by their severity as husbands have made up for their softness as suitors; and so will you, I fear.
p. 301.5
- I sought the orchard, driven to its shelter by the wind, which all day had blown strong and full from the south, without, however, bringing a speck of rain.
p. 318.5
- The cloven halves were not broken from each other, for the firm base and strong roots kept them unsundered below; though community of vitality was destroyed — the sap could flow no more: their great boughs on each side were dead, and next winter's tempests would be sure to fell one or both to earth: as yet, however, they might be said to form one tree — a ruin, but an entire ruin.
p. 318.9
- Wrapped up in a shawl, I still carried the unknown little child: I might not lay it down anywhere, however tired were my arms — however much its weight impeded my progress, I must retain it.
p. 325.9however = regardless of how
- Wrapped up in a shawl, I still carried the unknown little child: I might not lay it down anywhere, however tired were my arms — however much its weight impeded my progress, I must retain it.
p. 325.9
- — I meant, however, to be a bigamist; but fate has outmanoeuvred me, or Providence has checked me, — perhaps the last.
p. 336.6however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- Concealing the mad-woman's neighbourhood from you, however, was something like covering a child with a cloak and laying it down near a upas-tree: that demon's vicinage is poisoned, and always was.
p. 347.2
- Now, however, I considered it well to let them flow as freely and as long as they liked.
p. 349.6
- The look was far worse to resist than the frantic strain: only an idiot, however, would have succumbed now.
p. 366.7
- Finding my apprehensions unfounded, however, and calmed by the deep silence that reigned as evening declined at nightfall, I took confidence.
p. 372.4
- Life, however, was yet in my possession, with all its requirements, and pains, and responsibilities.
p. 374.3 *
Definitions:
-
(1)
(however as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrastand but.) -
(2)
(however as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
-
(3)
(however as in: However you do it, get it done!) in whatever way
-
(4)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Much more rarely (and arguably incorrectly), however can be used to intensify the word how, as when one says "However did you find her?" Grammarians would suggest using two words for that usage: "How ever did you find her?"