jane Eyre :: essays research papers

Charlotte Bronte addresses the theme of morality in the novel Jane Eyre using many characters as symbols. Bronte states, "Conventionality is not morality. Self-righteousness is not religion." In Jane Eyre, Bronte supports the theme that customary actions are not always moral through the conventional personalities of Mrs. Reed, Mr. Brocklehurst, and St. John Rivers. The novel begins in Gateshead Hall where due to Jane's lower class standing, Mrs. Reed treats Jane as an outcast. As Bessie and Miss Abbot drag Jane to the "red room† she is told by Miss Abbot: "No; you are less than a servant for you do nothing for your keep.† She must stay in the red room after she retaliates to the attack John Reed makes upon her. She receives no love or approval from her family. The only form of love that she does have is the doll she clings to at night when she sleeps. Mrs. Reed is a conventional woman who believes that her class standing sets her to be superior, and therefore better than a member of her own family. As a result of Jane's tantrums, quick temper, and lack of self-control, society classifies her as an immoral person. Miss Abbot believes: "God will punish her: He might strike her in the midst of her tantrums." Miss Abbot constantly reminds Jane that she is wicked, she needs to repent, and she is especially depend ent on prayer. The Reed children, in contrast, are treated completely opposite. Although John Reed is cruel and vicious to Jane, he receives no type of warning that God will punish him. The novel proceeds to Lowood, Mrs. Reed decides to send Jane there after the doctor, Mr. Lloyd, advises her that Jane should attend school. Mrs. Reed is glad to be rid of Jane and asks Jane not to wake the family the day of her departure. Jane arrives at Lowood and observes the behavior of the students. They are "all with plain locks combed from their faces, not a curl visible; in brown dresses, made high, and surrounded by a narrow tucker about the throat." One day, Miss Temple serves the children cheese in order to compensate for their burnt porridge. Mr. Brocklehurst, the self-righteous leader of Lowood, tells Miss Temple: "You are aware that my plan in bringing up these girls, is not to accustom them to luxury and indulgence, but to render them, hardy, patient, and self-denying.