I have heard of good genii: there are grains of truth

[milanforart]

Hi, I am reading Jane Eyre (Chapter 15), and there is a sentence that I would like to clarify.

The context is: After Jane saved Rochester from a terrible fire, Rochester took her hand, expressing his gratitude. Before letting her return to her room, he said:

"“you would do me good in some way, at sometime;—I saw it in your eyes when I first beheld you: their expression and smile did not”—(again he stopped)—“did not” (he proceeded hastily)“strike delight to my very inmost heart so for nothing. People talk of natural sympathies; I have heard of good genii: there are grains of truth in the wildest fable. My cherished preserver, goodnight!”

Does the bold line mean that Rochester referred to Jane as a good spirit who had rescued him? Or does he mean that the fact that he didn't die was a miracle, as if having been assisted by unknown spirits?

 

[PaulQ]

Genii is the plural of genie/jin(n)/djin(n), which is from the Arabic and, in the is context, means "a guardian spirit" - a supernatural being that protects someone.

Rochester is comparing Jane to a supernatural being who has protected him.

 

[milanforart]

Thank you, PaulQ, for the help! 😀

 

[Rover_KE]

Am I wrong when I write genies as the plural of genie?

 

[bearded]

Genii is the plural of genie/jin(n)/djin(n), which is from the Arabic

I rather think that genii is simply the plural of Latin genius (on the other hand, it seems that the Arabic jinn has the same derivation). In an English literary work, I think the Latin derivation is most probable (and it's plausible that an educated character should retain the Latin term), whereas I find that mentioning a direct Arabic derivation is a bit ...far-fetched - no offense meant!
( I know you were thinking of Aladdin and the jinn, but I only refer to English etymology ).

 

[PaulQ]

Yes. I purposely avoided "genius" so as not to confuse the OP with a word that has a far more common meaning. From OED

genie 1. A guardian spirit; = genius n. A.I.1a. Now rare.
Notes: In sense 3* ultimately after Arabic jinnī jinni n. (singular noun corresponding to jinn jinn n.), on account of its phonetic similarity to the French word.

In form genii perhaps influenced by genii, plural of genius n.

*3.a.In Arabian and Muslim stories and legend: a spirit with magical or supernatural powers, and which is typically capable of assuming human or animal form; = jinn n. Now frequently: one depicted as inhabiting or trapped in a bottle, oil lamp, etc., and capable of granting wishes when summoned; cf. Aladdin's lamp n. at Aladdin n. I.1.

 

[Loob]

Am I wrong when I write genies as the plural of genie?

That's how I would write it.

(I would read "genii" in the original context as the plural of "genius".)

 

[Andygc]

whereas I find that mentioning a direct Arabic derivation is a bit ...far-fetched - no offense meant!

From Collins

Etymology: 18th Century: from French génie, from Arabic jinni demon, influenced by Latin genius attendant spirit;

Not so far fetched.