In Jane Eyre, religion is embraced through a series of spiritual explorations. Bronte portrays Jane's character and zest for religion by revealing Jane's transitions from

        Jane's first encounter with religion, outside of her family, was with Helen Burns, her only friend at Lowood. Before her arrival at Lowood, Jane lived uncomfortably with her malevolent Aunt Reed who constantly rebuked and abused her. Jane searched for comfort and security by virtue of her own strong will, without the faith of God. She was left lonely and confused.  Helen welcomed Jane into the strict, religious school of Lowood.  However, Lowood was not the answer to Jane's prayers, but rather an unsuspecting, ill child (Van Den Brouck).  Helen proclaimed God's will and his command to "love your enemies; bless them that curse you" (Bronte 50).  Jane thoughtfully analyzed this command but did not comprehend the meaning intended. Helen explained, "Life appears to me too short to be spent nursing animosity, or registering wrongs." (Bronte 50).   Jane gradually discovers the importance of accepting faults in the world, and rejoices in the knowledge of God. The guidance and assurance that faith always provides enabled Jane to endure the severe times at Lowood School. Although Jane questioned the existence of God's heavenly kingdom, she undoubtedly believed she would be reunited with Helen in God's love after death. Without her faith in God, Jane would not have survived the harsh reality of Helen's death and her life at Lowood. Jane is affected by Lowood Institution. Throughout the rest of the book, she is always keeping with the habits that were taught to her there. Lowood Institution is a place that Jane learns morals and religion in the strictest sense. It is here that she forms many of her habits like rising early, keeping things neat and orderly, wearing the plain dress and strait, braided hair. After she first arrives at Thornfield Hall, and she is ready to go to bed, she "offered up thanks where thanks were due; not forgetting, ere [she] rose, to implore aid on [her] further path, and the power of meriting the kindness which seemed so frankly offered [her] before it was earned" (Bronte 129).  She rises early the next morning, and takes great care to be plain and dress neatly. Before she leaves her room, she checks to make sure that everything is neat and orderly. She is "still by nature solicitous to be neat" (Van Den Brouck).

        Jane realizes she needs to resign her position at Lowood and explore new possibilities of employment. Jane accepts a job as a governess at Thornfield, a manor six miles from Lowood. Immediately, Jane falls into a smooth career of instructing a young girl, Adele. As time passes, however, the growing affection between Mr. Rochester, Thornfield's owner, and Jane swells into a passionate love affair. Unfortunately, at the wedding, Jane was informed that Mr. Rochester is married to a lunatic. After the interruption, Jane prayed to God for solace. Jane was terribly reluctant to leave Thornfield, but strongly objected to Rochester's attempted bigamy and refused to consider living with him while church and state deemed him married to another woman. Jane's every desire and emotion yearned for her beloved Mr. Rochester, but her morals and strong faith lead her away from the manor. "I longed to be his; I panted to return",  but "I knew what I had to do, and I did it mechanically." (Bronte 305). This almost robotic and stoic attitude is due to the impression left on her my Mr. Brocklehurst and his teachings at Lowood (Van Den Brouck).   For days Jane wandered over unknown territory without a cent to her name and without the only love she had ever known. Dismissing true love and a life-long friend, is perhaps the ultimate sacrifice. Nevertheless, Jane stumbled upon Moor House and recovered from the tragic loss.

        Jane encountered St. John Rivers, a priest who lived occasionally at Moor House with his two sisters.  St. John urged Jane to sacrifice her emotional needs for the fulfillment of her moral duty.  Not completely agreeing with St. John, Jane still learns she must always hold God in the highest esteem.  God provided Jane with a sense of security throughout her stay at Moor House.  She learned freedom from sin and immorality is the most important component in a successful Christian life.  Although at times, choosing a godly life is an immense sacrifice.  "Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour, stringent are they; inviolate they shall be...." (Bronte 279).  The reason Bronte places so much emphasis on this is to show the sacrifice that St. John is making.  God sacrificed his only son for the sin of his people and St. John is now sacrificing his happiness for God. St. John believes in his profession and his duty as a clergyman to serve Him.  This is the center of St. John’s universe, his life revolves around it.  He’s willing to leave the love of his life in order to go to India to give his life helping others.  The things that are most important to some are secondary to St. John.  He will not let himself be distracted by someone who could eventually hold him back from the life he has chosen for himself. (Cashwell)

        As we can see, Jane is obviously affected by her experiences at each of these different stages in her life.  At Lowood she learned the strict adherence to the religious and moral values that were taught there.  Even though she may not have agreed with all of them, they molded her views on morality, shown in her experiences with Rochester.  She also learned of sacrifice through St. John, who sacrificed true love for the greater good of his religious calling.  Bronte deals with quite a few religious topics and pretty much finds something wrong with each form of Christianity.  Jane finally finds a personal relationship with God, and even though she may not agree with one of the forms of organized Christianity, she finally fells a spiritual inner peace.