"Explore some of the ways in which Bronte protests against the prevailing 19th century views on education and religion in the first nine chapters of 'Jane Eyre'."

Authors Avatar

Jane Eyre Essay        Ms. Moore (MR)        08/05/2007

The prevailing 19th century views on education and religion in the first nine chapters of ‘Jane Eyre’

“Explore some of the ways in which Bronte protests against the prevailing 19th century views on education and religion in the first nine chapters of ‘Jane Eyre’.”        

        Imagine a girl growing up around the turn of the nineteenth century. An orphan, she has no family or friends, no wealth or position. Misunderstood and mistreated by the relatives she does have, she is sent away to a school where the cycle of cruelty continues. All alone in the world, she seems doomed to a life of failure. What's a girl to do?

        

I think that Jane's later life is how Charlotte would have liked her own to be. It is like many stories, even those written in the present day, which is the author's fantasy. The fairytale-like ending resembles not just any fairytale, but one in particular, Cinderella.


        'Jane Eyre' is set in the early to mid nineteenth century and we see how different life today is, compared with the time which Jane lived. Immediately we see that Lowood's religious education does not necessarily mean the orphans are treated well. Their food is basically inedible, their lodgings are cramped, and some of the teachers are cruel. Bronte drops a few hints about the suspicious goings-on when Helen reveals that "benevolent-minded ladies and gentlemen" make up the tuition and that Mr. Brocklehurst is the treasurer of the house.


        Today, men and women are treated equally, which was certainly not the case in the nineteenth century. Women, in the nineteenth century were treated as if they were inferior to men. Poor women were expected to work as well as look after their husbands i.e. cook, clean and serve their husband like a slave to his master. Rich women were basically just there to be wives. Still rich women were to please their husband, but not by cooking and cleaning etc., as servants would be employed to do this. The country was definitely male dominated.

Join now!

Charlotte Bronte is attacking the social injustices that were present in the C19th. Bronte successfully does this and vividly portrays what life was like at the time the book is set.

         


        
        Jane wanted to go to school because it would at least get her away from Gateshead Hall.

'If I had anywhere else to go, I should be glad to leave it. ´

Jane's only knowledge of school is life is from John Reed and Bessie. John does not like school and this makes Jane think that she might because John and her ...

This is a preview of the whole essay