“Theme of Education in Charlotte Brontes ‘Jane Eyre’”

Set in the nineteenth century, Jane Eyre describes a woman’s continuous journey through life in search of acceptance and inner peace. Each of the physical journeys made by the main character, Jane Eyre, have a significant effect on her emotions and cause her to grow and change into the woman she ultimately becomes. Her experiences at Lowood School, Thornfield Hall, Moor house, and Ferndean ingeniously correspond with each stage of Jane’s inner quest and development from an immature child to an intelligent and sophisticated woman Ten-year-old Jane, orphaned by the death of her parents and uncle, led a discontented life under the care of her aunt, Mrs. Reed. Due to the harsh treatment she was subject to by both her aunt and cousins, Jane†¦show more content†¦When we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure we should-so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again.† Helen Burns believes in the fire and brimstone preachings of Brocklehurst, believing herself to deserve her punishments, even those which were not her fault, casting her as a martyr figure. Like a true martyr, she dies of a sickness caused by the poor health conditions of the school she defended. Even Helen hates Mr. Brocklehurst, he is little liked here; he never took steps to make himself liked (101; ch. 8). While Helen says she deserves her punishments and that they do her good, she also suggests she is being treated badly when she tells Jane what Christ would have her do when treated badly, love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you and despitefully use you (90; ch. 6). While Miss Temple is in charge of the school and everyone working within it, her position does not create inconsistencies between her goodness and the disciplinary methods of the school. Miss Temple shows opposition to Mr. Brocklehurst and his rules when she gives the children lunc h after the burnt porridge, â€Å"Theme of Education in Charlotte Brontes ‘Jane Eyre’† Set in the nineteenth century, Jane Eyre describes a woman’s continuous journey through life in search of acceptance and inner peace. Each of the physical journeys made by the main character, Jane Eyre, have a significant effect on her emotions and cause her to grow and change into the woman she ultimately becomes. Her experiences at Lowood School, Thornfield Hall, Moor house, and Ferndean ingeniously correspond with each stage of Jane’s inner quest and development from an immature child to an intelligent and sophisticated woman Ten-year-old Jane, orphaned by the death of her parents and uncle, led a discontented life under the care of her aunt, Mrs. Reed. Due to the harsh treatment she was subject to by both her aunt and cousins, Jane had†¦show more content†¦At this time education followed the theories of the Swiss educationalist Pestalozzi, who opposed such restricting and damaging practices. Bronte and her contemporary readers would see the methods of Lowood as outdated and wrong. Teaching in the monitorial system mostly involved memorization and verbal instruction. This is shown through Janes narration, At first, being little accustomed to learn by heart, the lessons appeared to me both long and difficult: the frequent change from task to task, too, bewildered me (85; ch. 6). Both Burns and Jane excel only with great effort and by paying close attention. At the time Charlotte Bronte was writing Jane Eyre, Pestalozzis picture of learning was being used, which included kind loving educators teach ing to the childs ability through various sensory experiences. Pestalozzi relied on object lessons to facilitate step-by-step learning of abstract concepts, rather than memorization and repetition (McNergney and Herbert 43-44). Even though the health problems at Lowood were common among charity schools, the outbreak of typhus brought Lowood into the public eye, where the living conditions at Lowood were found unacceptable. When the school was moved and Mr. Brocklehursts power was lessened, discipline was relaxed as well. More compassionate men were in governance of the school and Miss Temple no longer had to follow Mr. Brocklehursts rules. 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