Jane Eyre
Literature ENG – 1100C
19 September 2014
What was Miss Temple’s influence on Jane? The story of “Jane Eyre” takes place in a period where women were repressed and restricted compared to men. This period was known as the Victorian era. Women had few options for jobs; one of the few respectable jobs to choose from was to become a governess. A governess is a woman who is employed to teach children in a private household. “Jane Eyre” is not only a novel discussing a women’s journey, but is used to express the social injustices of the Victorian Era, such as sexism and poverty. Jane’s status as an independent girl is portrayed in the beginning of the novel when we are introduced to her family members. Her treatment in the house shows how she is shunned and forced to be independent. This helps shape Jane into the women we see throughout the novel. Another major factor in Jane’s personality is her experience at the school of Lowood. The school of Lowood is described as a school of charity that takes in orphans and gives them an education. Mr.Brocklehurst was in charge of the Lowood School and had made the conditions the girls lived in excruciating. He served them small portions of food and gave them inappropriate clothing in severe weather conditions. Miss Temple had been the savior of Jane’s pain at Lowood.
While reading the book, one could already tell that Jane would find peace in Miss Temple by their first encounter in the school. At their first encounter Jane is “impressed”… “by her voice, look, and air”. (Chapter V, pg. 36) Miss Temple is described by Helen as “above the rest, because she knows far more than they do.” (Chapter V, pg. 43) Helen is very established for her age and had already been at Lowood before Jane, making her opinion on Miss Temple more significant. Throughout the novel, there are many examples portraying Miss Temple’s kindness and consideration for others. For example, in the early stages of Jane’s stay at Lowood, the kitchen had burnt
19 September 2014
What was Miss Temple’s influence on Jane? The story of “Jane Eyre” takes place in a period where women were repressed and restricted compared to men. This period was known as the Victorian era. Women had few options for jobs; one of the few respectable jobs to choose from was to become a governess. A governess is a woman who is employed to teach children in a private household. “Jane Eyre” is not only a novel discussing a women’s journey, but is used to express the social injustices of the Victorian Era, such as sexism and poverty. Jane’s status as an independent girl is portrayed in the beginning of the novel when we are introduced to her family members. Her treatment in the house shows how she is shunned and forced to be independent. This helps shape Jane into the women we see throughout the novel. Another major factor in Jane’s personality is her experience at the school of Lowood. The school of Lowood is described as a school of charity that takes in orphans and gives them an education. Mr.Brocklehurst was in charge of the Lowood School and had made the conditions the girls lived in excruciating. He served them small portions of food and gave them inappropriate clothing in severe weather conditions. Miss Temple had been the savior of Jane’s pain at Lowood.
While reading the book, one could already tell that Jane would find peace in Miss Temple by their first encounter in the school. At their first encounter Jane is “impressed”… “by her voice, look, and air”. (Chapter V, pg. 36) Miss Temple is described by Helen as “above the rest, because she knows far more than they do.” (Chapter V, pg. 43) Helen is very established for her age and had already been at Lowood before Jane, making her opinion on Miss Temple more significant. Throughout the novel, there are many examples portraying Miss Temple’s kindness and consideration for others. For example, in the early stages of Jane’s stay at Lowood, the kitchen had burnt