Religious themes in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Gods’ existence is highly debated and somewhat questionable, but seems to be a main theme in Jane Eyre. Jane Eyre is a realistic fiction for young adults set in the early 1800’s told by Jane herself in an autobiographical style. Throughout the story, Jane tries to find the right balance between the obligation to her religious duties and her quest for true love. Many religious symbols are present throughout the book including many different variations of Christianity. Each of the most prominent forms are represented as people.
The first prominent religious symbol is Mr. Brocklehurst, the founder of Lowood Academy (Jane’s childhood boarding school); whom illustrates the nineteenth-century Evangelical movement. This is obvious because when he claims to be purging his students of pride, but does this by depriving and humiliating his students. A good example is when he said having curly hair is “Entirely Un-Christian” (chapter 8), he also gives a two page long speech to the entirety of Lowood just to say “this girl is – a LIAR”(Jane) (same chapter) which in itself, is a lie ,proving that he represents the hypocritical over-the-top Evangelical movement. …show more content…
Helen represents the ‘love your enemies, for you shall be rewarded’ motif. This is visible through the fact that even though she is constantly beaten and harassed by Miss Scatcherd, a teacher at Lowood, she never rebels against it. She even quotes the
Gods’ existence is highly debated and somewhat questionable, but seems to be a main theme in Jane Eyre. Jane Eyre is a realistic fiction for young adults set in the early 1800’s told by Jane herself in an autobiographical style. Throughout the story, Jane tries to find the right balance between the obligation to her religious duties and her quest for true love. Many religious symbols are present throughout the book including many different variations of Christianity. Each of the most prominent forms are represented as people.
The first prominent religious symbol is Mr. Brocklehurst, the founder of Lowood Academy (Jane’s childhood boarding school); whom illustrates the nineteenth-century Evangelical movement. This is obvious because when he claims to be purging his students of pride, but does this by depriving and humiliating his students. A good example is when he said having curly hair is “Entirely Un-Christian” (chapter 8), he also gives a two page long speech to the entirety of Lowood just to say “this girl is – a LIAR”(Jane) (same chapter) which in itself, is a lie ,proving that he represents the hypocritical over-the-top Evangelical movement. …show more content…
Helen represents the ‘love your enemies, for you shall be rewarded’ motif. This is visible through the fact that even though she is constantly beaten and harassed by Miss Scatcherd, a teacher at Lowood, she never rebels against it. She even quotes the