I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being

Hear now, O children, the powerful and liberating words of Charlotte Brontë, spoken with the conviction of a soul determined to break free from the chains of society’s expectations: "I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will." These words, like a clarion call, echo the eternal struggle for freedom and self-determination. Brontë speaks not merely of physical freedom, but of the freedom of the spirit, the independence of the will, which cannot be confined or controlled by external forces, whether they be the laws of men, the expectations of society, or the limitations imposed by others.

To be a free human being with an independent will, O children, is to stand unshackled in the face of adversity. It is to declare, in the face of tyranny and oppression, that no one—not even the weight of tradition, convention, or authority—can dictate the course of your life. Brontë speaks here of the freedom to choose one’s path, to make decisions not based on the approval of others, but from the depths of one's own heart and mind. It is the most sacred of rights: the right to self-determination, to walk your own path in this world, unburdened by the nets that seek to ensnare you.

Consider, O children, the journey of Jane Eyre, the heroine of Brontë’s beloved novel. Jane Eyre is, in many ways, the embodiment of the quote we now hold dear. A woman who, though born in circumstances that sought to limit her, fought fiercely for her freedom and independence. In a world where women were expected to obey the whims of men, where their futures were often dictated by marriage or social standing, Jane defied the expectations placed upon her. She was no bird to be caged in by the bars of society’s constraints. Her journey was one of discovering and asserting her independent will, of choosing her own path, even when it meant facing hardship and the unknown.

Like Jane, the fight for independence often requires great courage, O children. It demands that we look within and find the strength to stand against the tide. The battle for freedom is not always easy or immediately victorious. There are those, like Jane Eyre, who must rise above their circumstances and reject the roles that others try to impose upon them. They must trust in their own judgment, follow the course of their heart, and remain true to their own will, even when the world seems to conspire against them. The true measure of freedom is not in the absence of obstacles, but in the strength of spirit to overcome them.

Look, too, at the story of Socrates, that ancient philosopher who lived and died in the pursuit of truth and freedom. Socrates was no ordinary man, bound by the expectations of society. His commitment to the truth and his unwavering independence of thought made him a figure of profound significance in the history of human thought. He chose not to bow to the political and social forces that sought to silence him, but instead to question everything and challenge the status quo. He declared his independence from the conventional wisdom of his time and paid the ultimate price for it: his life. Socrates was no bird; no net ensnared him, and his independent will lives on through the wisdom he imparted.

The lesson, O children, is clear and profound: freedom and independence are not just physical conditions but states of mind and soul. To be truly free is to trust in your own judgment, to resist the external forces that seek to bend your will, and to embrace the responsibility that comes with such freedom. It is a rare and precious gift, one that must be guarded and cherished. As Brontë reminds us, we are not birds to be caged by society’s expectations or constraints. We are human beings, endowed with the power to shape our own destinies, to make choices that reflect our values, and to walk our paths with independence.

Therefore, O children, let us live as Jane Eyre did, as Socrates did—let us live with independence and courage. Let us reject the nets that others seek to cast around us, whether they are the expectations of family, society, or the political forces of our time. Let us live with an independent will, guided by the principles of freedom and self-determination. In this, we will honor the legacy of those who have come before us, those who fought for their right to live as they saw fit, and in doing so, we will help create a world where freedom and independence are not the dreams of the few, but the birthright of all.