Jane Eyre - Chapters 4-8:
In these chapters, we really begin to see the transition into a new life that Jane realizes from leaving the Reed family and going to school. Bronte first writes of how Jane was completely shut out, not just socially, but also physically from the Reed family, by being banished to the red-room. During that time, however, she grows closer to Bessie, and we see a profound change in their relationship from caretaker and parental figure, to a friend. Jane begins to confide in and truly love Bessie, while Bessie begins to take true pity on and care for Jane. Slowly, Bessie and the doll which Jane has kept her whole life become Jane's only friends. This isolation however does prepare her for life later on at her new school, Lowood, as Jane will be quite alone or without company at first. She tends to cope there better than other girls who have left close-knit, loving families.
The next thing that happens is one of the main turning points of these early chapters, and frankly of the novel itself. A man named Mr. Brocklehurst arrives and is there to examine as to whether Jane is fit to be admitted to a school like Lowood. Jane remarks that she has not been called into any public area, especially the breakfast room, in many months. I found this part to be terribly sad and that although they were no longer "permitted" to physically abuse Jane, the Reed family has found other ways, such as emotionally, to abuse her. It has been found that it is unhealthy and unjust to keep people in solitude with little to no interaction and opportunity to be around others. It amazes me how a child so young as Jane endured such hardship as no friends or family to love her besides Bessie, at such a young age of ten years old. Nevertheless, she is called up to the room to meet with Mr. Brocklehurst. Wearily she goes to meet him and while nervous, she is excited for a moment, until her dreams of a new start are crushed. He begins to thoroughly question her over the Bible, how often and how much she reads, her habits of playing, her carnal desires, etc. After a few of Jane's responses, Mrs. Reed begins to answer for her and describes her as a heathen and a liar, crushing her hopes at a new beginning and the potential for a life of joy and the ability to learn and to interact with others in a healthy way. At this point in the book, I began to laugh, very hard, due to Jane's responses. Mr. Brocklehurst presumes to inquire of Jane how she will ensure that she does not go to Hell, to which she answers, " By staying in good health and not dying." From the very start, I knew she was certainly witty and intelligent. Jane's wit never fails to make me smile or chuckle. Despite the words of Mrs. Reed, Mr. Brocklehurst still decides to take Jane and admit her to Lowood, yet under the condition that she would be heavily watched and essentially labeled a problematic, evil child at the institution. I fail to reason or understand why he decides to admit her despite the fact that he feels so disagreeable toward her. If he planned to simply belittle and monitor Jane, why did he agree to have her at Lowood in the first place? In Mr. Brocklehurst's account at the Reed home, we see the first delve into religion and displeasure with Jane for not being more in tune with what their religious beliefs. Instead of being guided and assisted to understand the importance of God, people appear to be reprimanded and ridiculed for any lack of knowledge, or imperfections they possess. I think Charlotte Bronte was trying to exemplify this aspect of the culture of that time in this part of the book and by using a little child such as Jane, illustrated to her audiences how harsh, judgmental, and unforgiving people can often be, yet they claim it is in keeping with the ways of God. However, Jesus Christ says love and forgive all, does He not?
However, soon after Mr. Brocklehurst leaves, Jane finds a new passion. Not of love or joy, but rather of anger and directs that at Mrs. Reed. She describes how she has not been the liar, the wretch, the evil one as Mrs. Reed described, but rather, it has been her cousins, the Reed children who have been such characters. She informs Mrs. Reed that she will not speak highly of her at Lowood, but rather that she will tell of all the mean things she has done to her. I believe that Jane felt enough courage at this moment to do this because she knew she would be leaving her Aunt in days and that this would have very little severe consequence, if any. The most insincere and unfathomable thing then occurs. Mrs. Reed begins to tell Jane that this is not true and that she truly loves Jane. She advises her to speak highly of her when she goes to school. Yet, as I consider it, this directive issued by Mrs. Reed is not contrary to but rather completely in accordance with her nature. I believe she does this in order that she might attempt to keep her high stature and social status, instead of entertaining the possibility that people might be forced to think ill of her or her family. I think, however, what Mrs. Reed fails to recognize is that this selfish attempt to save her own reputation and status only causes the resentment Jane carries to grow immensely. Jane understands how insincere Mrs. Reed's words are.
A few days later, Jane is picked up by coach, and taken to her new school. Here she describes how plain all the girls' hair, dress, and appearances are and how they genuinely were so obedient reserved and quiet. She specifically points out one girl with whom she gets on very well, Helen Burns. She meets her in a free period of walking that they have while Helen is reading a book. Jane begins to question her on many aspects of the book, Helen's life, the school, etc. to which Helen replies kindly, until at one point, she abruptly and rather matter-of-factly tells Jane that she asked too many questions of her for that day and that she would no longer answer them. I think, although taken aback by this, Jane admired this frankness because Helen reminded her of herself in this way. As the story continues, we learn of a woman named Miss Temple, rightfully so. Miss Temple is the kindest teacher at the school who soon became like another Bessie to Jane. Miss Temple becomes Jane's confidante and friend, beginning at the point where Mr. Brocklehurst arrives at the school with his family who, contrarily, is adorned in silks and fine jewels, unlike what he claims Christian girls should look like. During his visit, he ridicules Jane once more, yet this time in front of all of the girls at Lowood. I consider that the author does this, because she wants to show he reader that people are also often quite selfish and frankly hypocritical; seeking the best for their own and denying others through their own defined "just" cause. In this case, the reason was not just, as it was contradicted openly by the same person who reasoned such a cause. Jane's friend, Helen, throughout Jane's time at Lowood, really begins to develop as a character and the reader, along with Jane, begins to fall in love with the person that Helen Burns is. We also learn to love her influence on Jane Eyre. We begin to see her as intelligent, respectable, insightful, faithful, and she gives Jane a new perspective on Jane's life that she previously never considered: a highly positive one! Helen shows Jane that life is actually quite joyful and there is good to be found in all things, no matter how hard or arduous we may at first believe they are. She opens Jane's mind to understanding the love of Christ, the concept of believing in God, the meaning of true friendship, feeling true happiness and joy, and seeking for things beyond what we are and what we currently possess. Helen becomes Jane's best friend and a motivator at Lowood, along with Miss Temple.
In the eighth chapter, Miss Temple asks Helen "how her cough is doing." Helen proceeds to answer that she "is doing a little better." This short but insightful encounter enlightens the reader that Helen is most-likely sick and presumably not turning for the better, despite Helen's answer to Miss Temple. It leaves you to wonder if Helen is just a fleeting but impactful person in Jane's life, and if so, how much longer will she be around for Jane? Nevertheless, I love the way Jane describes and recounts the way Helen looked that evening with Miss Temple. She states that she did look beautiful, but not in the way the world might consider one to be beautiful, and certainly not because her face or hair were well adorned or glamorously made up. Her beauty was not due to her physical appearance, but rather because of Helen's soul and the light that shone in her eyes as she spoke. Bronte shows the reader that Jane truly looked deep within people to seek their worth and admired them for their inner traits, especially Helen, for the knowledge he imparts and the value of the heart, soul, and mind that she has to offer, instead of looking at people for their social status, wealth, beauty or popularity they may be able to offer to her. The chapter ends by Jane explaining how she has progressed at Lowood, and how she has begun to learn great things, such as Art and French. We see that, although she began there alone and with little hope, she truly did receive a fresh start, a new beginning, and a chance to become more than she ever thought she could be. We see Jane Eyre no longer as the oppressed child of her past, but rather as an exuberant young girl with an exciting future.
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