Religion In Jane Eyre

Throughout the novel Jane Eyre, the main character, Jane, not only struggles to find herself and her purpose, but also attempts to find her own outlook of religion. On her journey, she meets three drastically different variations of Christian faith. Although she does not accept any religion of those that she encounters, these characters eventually lead her to the discovery of her own outlook on God. The first character she comes across is Mr. Brocklehurst, the owner of Lowood and a harsh and hypocritical Christian. She immediately rejects Mr. Brocklehurst’s religious views as his abuse of power fueled by his beliefs becomes apparent. During her stay at Lowood, Jane meets Helen Burns, a Christ-like character devoted to her faith. Helen’s
Although Helen has no family and lives in poor conditions at the boarding school, she remains optimistic by putting her complete trust in God. Jane has difficulties grasping this outlook because it lacks the understanding she needs as well as the explanation of believing and having faith in a figure that she can neither see nor hear. Throughout their friendship, Jane notices that Helen is continuously victimized by Miss Scatchered for what seemed to be no apparent reason. In response, Helen surprisingly continues to have a patient, loving attitude toward this mistreatment. Jane states, “you say you have faults, Helen: what are they? To me you seem very good”. Helen then responds by explaining, “then learn from me, not to judge by appearances: I am, as Miss Scatcherd said, slatternly; I seldom put, and never keep, things in order; I am careless; I forget rules; I read when I should learn my lessons; I have no method; and sometimes I say, like you, I cannot bear to be subjected to systematic arrangements. This is all very provoking to Miss Scatcherd, who is naturally neat, punctual, and particular” (Jane Eyre 47). Helen never expresses offense toward the way she is treated and instead attempts to see things from Miss Scatcherd’s perspective, ultimately being submissive towards injustice. Even on her deathbed, Helen views dying as an escape from great suffering because she able to go
John after leaving the Moors Residence. She soon finds out that he is actually her cousin and tries to build a relationship with him as her brother. During his sermons, Jane is able to detect his feelings of both bitterness and hardness through “strictly restrained zeal”. Although he builds up this image of a statue with no personality, it becomes obvious that he is in love with the beautiful and rich Rosamond Oliver when he states, "It is strange," pursued he, "that while I love Rosamond Oliver so wildly . . . I experience at the same time a calm, unwarped consciousness that she would not make me a good wife” (330). Although it is obvious that he adores Rosamond, he would rather live a less passionate life with someone who fits the profile of a missionary’s wife. His aspiration removes him from all deep human emotions which leads to his decision to pursue a wife he can "influence efficiently" and "retain absolutely," rather than someone he loves. His proposal to Jane expresses this because he does not like her in any, but rather views her as a favorable missionary wife. His devotion to succeeding in spreading Christianity overtakes his personal goals such as family and love and causes him to make more practical decisions throughout his life and his