Jane Eyre Discussion #1

1/8/2013

After reading chapters six and seven, address the following:

1. Describe Mr. Brocklehurst's view of religion. Locate evidence from the text to support your description.

2. Describe the sense of faith and religious understanding of Helen Burns. Locate evidence from the text to support this description.

3. Based on her reactions to those two characters, how would you characterize Jane's view of religion?

19 Comments

Kelti Lorence

1/9/2013 07:15:00 am

1. Mr. Brocklehurst seems to believe that God is mainly someone who harshly punishes those who deserve it. However, because he is "such a good person" he has been blessed with a standing in an upper class. He believes he is doing the orphans a favor by not "letting them conform to nature" because showing any unecessary details on oneself such as a topknot shows "strings of hair in which vanity itself is woven." (ch. 7). He calls Jane, a young girl who has worked hard upon arrival to gain everyone's approval "God's own little lamb, now a castaway."(ch.7)

2. Helen is very mature for her age. She believes that she deserves all punishment she receives because she was the one who messed up in the first place to deserve it. She tells Jane, " Read the New Testament and observe what Christ says and how he acts; make His word your rule, and his conduct your example. He says to love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you and despitefully use you." (ch. 6)

3. Though Jane hears both of these, she seems to be caught in between the two extremes. She wants to follow helen's good example, yet she knows not all punishment is deserved; God does punish those who sin, yet Mr. Brocklehurst is rather extreme and cruel in administering the punishments. I see Jane's views on religion as still young and not completely formulated. I believe she is leaning towards opposing it for Christianity up to this point has been roughly thrust upon her, often used as an excuse to hurt her physically and mentally. However, now that she has met Helen and Mrs. Temple, two kind believers, her view may begin to change for the better.

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3/1/2014 01:06:09 am

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Mika

1/9/2013 09:49:04 am

1.Brocklehurst believes that those who have a harsh life or are of poor class is God's method of punishment. When Miss Temple fed the children bred when the porridge was burnt, Brocklehurst said, "You may indeed feed their vile bodies, but think how you starve thier immortal souls!" Those who have a plentiful life and are in a good social position is a reward from God. He thinks that he must keep those who God punishes miserable, as he orders for a girl's curls to be cut off because she is not worthy enough to have them. "My mission is to mortify in these girls the lusts of the flesh; to teach them."
2.Helen believes that she must not fight back against the unfair punishments given to her, but take it silently. She says to Jane, "Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you and despitefully use you."
3. Jane does not agree with Helen or Brocklehurst, but thinks she should fight back unjust punishment. "If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust, the wicked people would have it all their own way: they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse." She also thinks that she should "submit to punishment when [she] feels it deserved," and so disagrees with Brocklehurst's view that they deserve abuse.

Hannah Cox link

1/9/2013 10:47:47 am

1. Mr. Brocklehurst's views on religion are generally aimed at keeping himself comfortable, and anyone lesser than himself he views as condemned. As a result, he is extremely hypocritical, forcing the girls at Lowood to live in a kind of poverty in order to supposedly "save" them, while he himself lives luxuriously as a minister, respected by society. He views God as a judge, and he takes it upon himself to distribute that judgement. This is especially apparent in the text when he reacts to the curled hair of one of the girls, and then declares that the hair of all of the girls in the "first form" must be cut off. He justifies this by saying, "'I have a Master to serve whose kingdom is not of this world: my mission is to mortify in these girls the lust of the flesh; to teach them to clothe themselves with shame-facedness and sobriety, not with braided hair and costly apparel...'" Shortly after he says this, his own children enter "splendidly attired in velvet, silk, and furs" and with "a profusion of light tresses, elaborately curled."

2. Helen Burns' understanding of faith is just the opposite of Mr. Brocklehurst's. In her own words, "'...it is weak and silly to say you cannot bear what it is your fate to be required to bear.'" Jane describes it as a "doctrine of endurance." Helen takes things as they come, viewing what happens as her fate to bear. She has faith that her response to suffering and quiet endurance will be rewarded in the next life. In this way, she has essentially gained the "shame-facedness and sobriety" that Mr. Brocklehurst insists is what is best for the girls.

3. Jane does not agree with either of these ideas. She views Mr. Brocklehurst as oppressive and clearly sees his hypocrisy. Especially after being thoroughly humiliated by him, she could not like him. But she does not agree with Helen's "doctrine of endurance" either. She would rather repay those who hurt her than sit by passively. If a situation does not please her, then she is more inclined to try and change it, as in Gateshead. She does not agree with society's view of how someone in a low social class should act in respect to religion. Her view of religion is somewhere in between the two extremes presented by Mr. Brocklehurst and Helen Burns.

Megan Wall

1/9/2013 12:15:01 pm

1. Chapters six and seven reveal that Mr. Brocklehurst views religion as a means to bless the upper class and chastise the lower. The way he runs the school and converses with his employees and students at Lowood exposes his sanctimonious heart and belief that his social status correlates to his status with God. Upon being introduced to Mr. Brocklehurst, readers are struck with his words to a young Jane, “Deceit, is, indeed, a sad fault in a child…and all liars will have their portion in the lake burning with fire and brimstone…” (Chapter four, page 27). He continuously pelts questions about reading her Bible, praying, her favorite book in the Bible, lying, and how to avoid Hell because, according to him, that is where she is headed. The way in which he harshly talks down to Jane makes it seem as though he thinks he is God, who makes the ultimate decision for human souls.
2. Helen Burns however, contrasts Brocklehurst’s warped perception of God with a gentler, more passive, outlook on faith and religion. Throughout her discourses with Jane her faith seems unshakable. She does what is right, submits to her elders, and forgives their injustice, because that is how she perceives the Bible. For example, in chapter six, “It is far better to endure patiently a smart which nobody feels but yourself, than to commit a hasty action whose evil consequences will extend to all connected with you; and besides the Bible bids us return good for evil.” This is what Helen said to Jane after a teacher beat Helen’s neck with sticks. Her remarks to return good for evil embodies her view of life.
3. After seeing Brocklehurst’s hypocrisy and Helen’s pacifist, submissive, and gentle attitude Jane seems to be confused. In chapter six Jane speaks with Helen and poses questions with, “ How? I don’t understand…What then?” Between her confusion with Helen’s forgiveness and Brocklehurst’s hard heart when she thinks, “I felt that an explanation belonged to them…” when she read the verse on the side of the school with the last name Brocklehurst next to it.

emily

1/9/2013 12:26:07 pm

1. Mr. Brocklehurst's view on religion is that if you were put in a bad position from birth, such as low social class or poverty, that it was your own fault because you are an evil person and that is how God punishes you. He believes that the only way to redeem yourself is to just suffer through your life, without luxuries. He proves that by reprimanding the teacher when she gives them food after their breakfast is ruined. He also thinks that he's the best person ever and that everyone is beneath him.
2. Helen Burns almost has the same belief as Brocklehurst, except she doesn't think she is better than anyone. She also believes that she deserves every punishment that she gets. When Jane says that Miss Scatcherd is cruel, Helen says, "Cruel? Not at all! She is severe; she dislikes my faults.
3. Jane can see that both views on religion have some truths, but she can see that it isn't the best to just submit to punishments and be cruel.

Brady

1/9/2013 02:12:59 pm

1. Mr. Brocklehursts view of religion is one that people had for a long time and that is that some people are born to rule while others were born to serve. He believes that these girls should be martyrs and endure suffering and be "hardy, patient, and self-denying." (pg. 76) He justifies this by comparing them to the "sufferings of the primitive Christians." (pg. 76) He also believes that they should not "conform to the world" (pg. 77) and "not to conform to nature" (pg. 77) but they need to conform to this narrow-minded view of supremacy Mr. Brocklehurst idealizes. The main thing he is though is a hypocrite. Right after chastising the girls for their hair and clothes his daughters come in wearing the same things he is preaching against. This confirms the idea of his supremacy and the girls suffering to be martyrs for the upper class.
2. Helen is the ideal girl in Brocklehurst's eyes because of her reactions and inaction which means that she is the opposite of Brocklehurst himself. While getting flogged for no reason, she does not speak our but takes the punishment and "Not a tear rose to Burns eye." (pg. 66) She says that it is her "fate to be required to bear" (pg. 68) and that "We are, and must be, one and all, burdened with faults in this world." (pg.71) She justifies these views by saying "revenge never worries my heart, degradation never too deeply disgusts me, injustice never crushes me too low. I live in calm, looking to the end." (pg. 71) Her view is to endure this life so that she can be happy in the next.
3. Jane's view is against both Brocklehurst and Helen. She says "When we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard." (pg. 70) Her view is that she shouldn't just sit there and take unjust punishment. She believes that she should treat people as they treat her and says "It is as natural as that I should love those who show me affection, or submit to punishment when I feel it is deserved." (pg. 70) She disagrees with unjust punishment and believes she should be able to fight back.

Tim Shumway

1/9/2013 02:58:10 pm

Great responses so far everyone!

Mary Sine

1/9/2013 03:07:03 pm

1. Mr. Brocklehurst view of religion is of a tyrannical and harsh God, who punishes people for their sins in terrible ways. But this view of a harsh God only applies to people who are of a lower social class than he is, like the orphan girls at Lowood Institution. For instance, when he is reprimanding Miss Temple for feeding the girls after they couldn't eat breakfast he says, "Oh, madam. when you put bread and cheese, instead of burnt porridge, into these children's mouths, you may indeed feed their vile bodies, but you little think how you starve their immortal souls." (Ch. 7 Pg. 63). This makes him both hypocritical and self-righteous. He is hypocritical because, when his wife and daughters enter the room, the reader can see that they are well, even extravagantly, clothed, and probably never missed a meal in their lives, compared to the girls of Lowood. His self-righteous ego shows up especially when he is telling all of the teachers and girls at the school about Jane being a liar. He is preaching to his audience about Jane being a liar, and comparing her to heathens, who “says its prayers to Brahma and kneels befor Juggernaut...” (Ch. 7, Pg. 67). This line also shows that Mr. Brocklehurst is not open to people of cultures or religions different from his own at all.

2.Helen's view on religion and faith, is quite different from Mr. Brocklehurst in some ways. She thinks that forgiveness is a very important part of life, unlike Mr. Brocklehurst, who favors punishment. She urges Jane to forgive Mrs. Reed, "Would you not be happier if you tried to forgive her severity, together with the passionate emotions it excited?" (Ch. 6, Pg. 58). This forgiveness also makes Helen very passive in her religious views, and in her own life. Helen is passive and forgiving when Miss Scatcherd continually singles her out and punishes her. She "suffers in silence" and takes her punishments with out a word. This is because, with her faith, which is very strong, she believes that by accepting punishment in this life, and not make get worked up, or letting them affect her too much. She says to Jane that she holds a creed that Eternity is, "...a mighty home, not a terror and an abyss."(Ch. 6, pg. 59) Which is very different from Mr. Brocklehurst's view on eternity, at least when it pertains to people of a lower class. She goes on to say that this view on the afterlife, allows her to remain passive, it allows her to forgive others for their wrongs against her. She says, "with this creed, revenge never worries my heart, degradation never too deeply disgusts me, injustice never crushes me too low: I live in calm, looking to the end." (Ch.6, pg. 59).

3. Jane's view on religion is different from both Mr. Brocklehurst's and Helen's. She notices Mr. Brocklehurts hypocrisy in his view on religion and probably dislikes him more for it. The reader can also see that Jane doesn't quite understand Helen's passive and accepting view on religion, or her great faith. She doesn't want to forgive everyone for their wrongs against her. She says Helen when Helen tells her to love her enemies, " Then I should love Mrs. Reed, which I cannot do; I should bless her son John, which is impossible." (Ch.6, pg.58). Jane dislikes injustice and unjust punishment, but unlike Helen, she doesn't want to just accept it, she would rather do something about it. She says to Helen, " I must resist those who punish me unjustly. It is as natural as that I should love those who show me affection, or submit to punishment when I feel it is deserved." (Ch.6, pg. 58). In some ways, Jane's own view on religion is a slight mix of Helen's and Mr. Brocklehurst's views on religion, but is still very different from both of their views.

Celeste Yahr

1/9/2013 03:33:55 pm

1. Mr Brocklehurst views religion as an excuse. He thinks that people need to be punished for being in a lower class or for doing something he doesn't like and often he uses scripture or scripture bases quotes to justify himself. We can see this when he talks about the girls needing to cut off their hair because they were "conforming to nature" which he might have been quoting Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." He definitely made it so it fit his situation.
2. Helen's view is to take what is dished out to her and suffer silently. She also thinks that life is too short to be mad and hold grudges against people. We see this when she says "Would you not be happier if you tried to forget her severity, together with the passionate emotions it excited? Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs. We are, and must be, one and all, burdened with faults in this world: but the time will soon come when, I trust, we shall put them off in putting off our corruptible bodies; when debasement and sin will fall from us with this cumbrous frame of flesh, and only the spark of the spirit will remain,--the impalpable principle of light and thought, pure as when it left the Creator"
3. I think that Jane doesn't really know what to think of religion. However she knows that she doesn't like Brocklehurst's view of punishment and self-righteousness. She also doesn't fully understand Helen's view. She can not wrap her head around being unjustly punished and not saying something. We see this when she says "But I feel this, Helen; I must dislike those who, whatever I do to please them, persist in disliking me; I must resist those who punish me unjustly. It is as natural as that I should love those who show me affection, or submit to punishment when I feel it is deserved" We can see that she believes the being punished is okay, but she has to deserve it and she doesn't think she has deserved what has been dealt to her.

Trevor

1/9/2013 03:36:10 pm

Mr. Brocklehurst is proud of his religion simply because it gives him an upper hand in society. He sees it as nothing more than a tool that he can use to climb to the top of the social ladder. He thinks that “consistency… is the first of Christian duties.” (Chapter 4) He is good at consistently torturing the girls at the boarding school to give them character and help them to grow up into the best people that they can be, but when his daughter is introduced in a silk dress and very well fed, it is clear that Mr. Brocklehurst only uses Christianity to make himself seem like a more significant person.
On the other hand, Helen Burns sees Christianity as a way to cope with her harsh living environment. Even though she gets picked on by a teacher, she is able to forgive and love the teacher because that is what takes to spread the word and be a proper Christian. Helen lets her drive to be the best Christian she can consume and preoccupy her even though she is treated very harshly at school.
At this point in the story, Jane is unsure of her Christian values. She respects Helens views, but just can’t be persuaded to humble herself to Helen’s level. She is too feisty and influenced by Mr. Brocklehurst. She sees this monster that calls himself a Christian and wants nothing to do with him. It will be interesting to see if she decides that Mr. Brocklehurst is out of line and becomes a believer or if she is pushed away forever by his influence.

Kendall

1/9/2013 04:41:03 pm

1. Mr. Brocklehurst's view on religion is based off the idea that God is cruel yet fair. Those who were born into a low or poor social class Brocklehurst immediately assumes are evil people because if they were good people God would have blessed them with a more wealthy life. For example he believes since all the orphan girls at Lowood are from a poor class they are sinners therefore need to be punished for it. In his mind this seems just since God has punished them from birth (putting them in low social class). For example when Brocklehurst is lecturing Miss. Temple on why not to feed the children bread and cheese after their porage was burnt, he says " but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God; to his divine consolations, 'If yeh suffer hunger or thirst for My sake, happy are ye'." (Ch.7 pg.58). Here he is explaining that though fasting may be cruel it is necessary to bring these children closer to God.
2. Helen's take on faith and religion is simply to forgive and forget. She may not agree with all the things that go on in her life but she doesn't take them to heart, knowing she needs to chose her battles. Her sense of faith and religion is demonstrated when she asks Jane, " Would you not be happier if you tried to forget her severity?" (Ch.6, pg.54) Again Helen tries to convince Jane not to fight back by quoting the words of God, " Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you and despitefully use you." (Ch. 6, pg. 54). Here we see Helen's forgiveness out look on her faith.
3. I think Jane's view on religion is that of justice. We can see she clearly disagrees with Mr. Brocklehurst's cruel out look, because of his hypocritical attitude towards the girls at Lowood, when talking about how curly hair is a sin, at the same time his daughters walk in with curly hair. I think Jane is not fully comprehending what Helen is saying because is so set on justices but at the same time i believe Jane can see where Helen is coming from, but isn't completely on board with it. Jane has grown up getting blamed for and labeled as things she not so therefore she is out to claim justice. We see this fire in Jane to seek justice when shes says, " When we are struck without reason, we should strike back again very hard." Also when she says, " I must resist those who punish me unjustly." (Ch.6 pg. 53)

Jonathon D.

1/9/2013 11:34:51 pm

1) Mr. Brocklehurst from Jane Eyre has a very peculiar view of how religion should be. He views people that don't follow the rules as being an "Evil Person." In chapter 7 Mr. Brocklehurst comes and visits Lowood school he puts Jane right on the spot by placing her in the middle of the school. He specifically calls Jane "A Liar" and the the "Evil Spirt" has posessed her soul. This shows that people who aren't perfect angels are basically discriminated against.

2)Helen Burns is very faithful in her religion and she obeys the wishes of the teachers. In chapter 6 Helen Burns was getting accused of not cleaning her nails even though it was imposible because all of the water was frozen. Helen didn't argue or anything and just sat their. Later on the teacher Miss Scatcherd told Jane to go grab the whipping stick. Helen obeyed without hesitation and took her punisment without arguing. This proves that Helen is very faithful to her religion.

3) Jane really isn't the kind of person to follow rules so bascically she just ignores the wishes of the people that is in charge of her. Jane doesn't like to follow the wishes and rules of her elders. Jane just wants things to be her own way. This really causes problems for Jane later on. This also affects her religion with god because god wants people to be obedient and follow rules and Jane is not that type.

Ariana

1/10/2013 02:42:43 am

1.Mr. Brocklehurst’s outlook on religion is that God punishes those who do evil by giving them a harsh life or putting them in a poor/low social class. Although people in a high social class, like himself, are “good people” because God placed them in a wealthy family. He uses the scripture to almost torment the girls at Lowood by telling them to cut of their curly hair because they are “conforming to nature”. Since he believes the girls are “evil” because they are in a low social class, he believes that cruelty is okay for these girls to deal with. For example when the porridge burns and he is lecturing Ms. Temple he says, " but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God; to his divine consolations, 'If yeh suffer hunger or thirst for My sake, happy are ye'." (Ch.7 pg.42).
2.Helen’s take on religion is to be like Christ; to forgive even when they might not necessarily deserve that forgiveness. She tells Jane that, “ It is far better to endure patiently a smart which nobody feels but yourself, than to summit a hasty action whose evil consequences will extend to all connected with you; and besides the Bible bids us return for good evil”. ( Ch. 6 pg.37) Helen then quotes the bible, “Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you and despitefully use you.” ( Ch. 6 pg. 38)
3.I think that Jane does not know where she really stands on religion. Jane doesn’t agree with Mr. Brocklehurst because even at ten she sees that he treats the girls at Lowood and those of a different social class differently than his own children. Although she doesn’t agree with him, she doesn’t agree with Helen either. Jane will not except cruel treatment; she states, “And if I were in your place I should dislike her; I should resist her. If she struck me with that rod, I should get it from her hand; I should break it under her nose.” ( Ch. 6 pg. 36)

Carley

1/10/2013 03:25:04 am

1. So far it seems to be that Mr. Brocklehurst believes that God is cruel and that wealthier and more well off you are, the more God will love you. He uses this outlook to scrutinize and mistreat the girls in the school. For instance, when he decides that the girls with curly hair have to have it cut off, his reason why is because it is “his mission to mortify these girls in the lusts of the flesh; to teach them to clothe themselves with the shame-facedness and sobriety, not with braided her and costly apparel;” (Ch 7) However, when his own daughters show up minutes later with a “profusion of light tresses, elaborately curled”, he is totally fine with it and greets them lovingly.
2. Helen, on the other hand, has an outlook completely different than Mr. Brocklehurst. She believes that by being compliant and forgiving, she is doing what God wants of her. As she tells Jane after she (Jane) gets done with her punishment for breaking her slate, “… Why, then, should we ever sink overwhelmed with distress, when life is so soon over, and death is so certain an entrance to happiness—to glory?” Helen feels that it is easier to “love her enemies” because when she gets to Heaven, she knows she won’t have to deal with people mistreating her.
3. So far, Jane seems to be unsure about religion and where she stands because she’s seen both extremes (Jane and Brocklehurst) It seems that Jane is a quite literal person, so maybe having faith in the unseen might be harder for her and she surely doesn’t agree with Mr. Brocklehurst’s ideas, nor does she share the same thoughts lying down and taking it like Helen, she tells Jane this, saying “And if I were in your place I should dislike her; I should resist her. If she struck me with that rod, I should get it from her hand; I should break it under her nose.” (Ch 6) However, I believe that as we progress into the story, Jane’s outlook on religion and faith will become more defined.

Mackenzie

1/10/2013 03:36:37 am

1. I believe that Mr. Brocklehurst's view of religon is very hypocritical. He is always telling the girls of the school what they can and cannot do because it is a "sin" or "God doesn't like it" but then turns around and does the same thing. For instance in chapter seven Mr. Brocklehust enters the classroom and exclaims "Miss Temple, Miss Temple, what- what is that girl with curled hari? Red hair ma'am, curled- curled all over?" When Miss Temple explains to Mr. Brocklehurst that her hair is naturally curly he responds with, "...my mission is to mortify in these girls the lusts of the flesh; to teach them to clothe themselves with shame-facedness and sobriety, not with braided hair and costly apparel;...". Once done preaching to the young girls and Miss Temple, his own daughters and wife enter the room with curled hair and expensive clothing-showing in no way or form modesty or "sobriety". I also believe that Mr. Brocklehusrt believes he is equal with God and it is his job to make sure that everyone is doing the "right thing"; but, really, these right things are what is right in his eyes.
2. Helen Burns on the other hand is the exact opposite of Mr. Brocklehurst. She turns the other cheek and accepts her punishment-always taking responsibility for her "wrong". When Miss Scatcherd was "examining drawers" on page 49, Helen instantly says, "My things were indeed in shameful disorder." Helen Burns is someone who actually lives by the words of the Bible and listens to what God tells her. She is not hypocritcal but instead is more that of a "martyr". This is what Jane refers to her as in chapter seven. She is a "hero" who truly does have a good heart and is repaid with evil because of it.
3. I believe that Jane Eyre doesn't know where she stands as far as religon goes. She truly hates all the things that Mr. Brocklehurst says but wishes that Helen would stick up for herself and not let teachers push her around. After Helen is wacked by Miss Scatcherd Jane says to her, "if I were in your place I should dislike her; I should resist her. If she struck me with that rod, I should get it from her hand; I should break it under her nose." But she also looks up to Helen for being such a good person. Because of all this I believe that Jane is still figuring out where she stands religiously.

Tristan

1/10/2013 02:33:40 pm

1) Mr. Brocklehurst views religion as something that pertains differently to the separate social classes. For higher ups like himself, it is only the good and easy things that apply, but for the lower classes, every rule or statement is magnified well beyond reason and used to make sure that the lower class remains just that: lower. This is evident in the way he treats is own daughters compared to the Lowood students.
2) Helen Burns holds a view on religion more fitting with contemporary Christianity, it does not emphasize the letter of the law per se, but the spirit of the law. She also places great emphasis on the insignificance of life on earth; she rather chooses to focus on the after life in heaven, she can therefor disregard personal slights. "God waits only the separation of spirit from flesh to crown us with a full reward. Why, then, should we ever sink overwhelmed with distress."
3) Jane Eyre as a girl of ten is very susceptible to outside influences, after meeting Helen and Mr. Brocklehurst, she has neatly placed herself into an undecided position on religion, she goes through the required motions but never moves to a personal level such as Helen's. This is due to witnessing how religion gave Mr. Brocklehurst a metaphorical whip to crack over Lowood's heads and also how Helen was able to be such a stolid character thanks to her religion.

Jacob Joens

1/10/2013 04:48:32 pm

1. Mr. Brocklehurst’s view of religion is that he thinks that God is cruel and is a punisher. He also thinks that God punishes people by putting them into a lower social class, and because of that, he believes that God has blessed him because he is in a higher social class. Mr. Brocklehurst is hypocritical and his views only apply to orphan girls, not him or anyone that is in a higher class then the orphans. In chapter 4 Mr. Brocklehurst says, “That proves that you have a wicked heart” just because she does not think that Psalms are interesting.
2. Helen Burns view on religion is the opposite of Brocklehurst. She thinks that she needs to forgive. In chapter 6 Miss Scatcherd says, “You dirty, disagreeable girl! you have never cleaned your nails this morning!” She does not respond because she believes that she should remain silent so she does not cause any problems. She is passive, and she suffers in silence.
3. I think Jane’s view of religion is somewhere between Brocklehurst’s and Helen’s view on religion. I do not think that she thinks that God is cruel and that suffering is good for only poor people. However, I also do not think that she should be completely submissive like Helen is.

Lacayah

1/24/2013 04:16:05 pm

1. Brocklehurst views God as almost a master-drill-sargeant. And, since he views himself as such a righteous person, he believes that he is doing the work of God when he acts as a sargeant himself. This is evident when he says,in chapter seven, "I have a Master to serve [...] my mission is to mortify in these girls the lusts of the flesh, to teach them to clothe themselves with shame-facedness and sobriets." However, he seems to believe that the guidelines and expectations of God differ with class, for Brocklehurst does not practice the same code with his own family.

2.Helen Burns views religion as a set of morals that she must follow regardless of temptations. An example of this is when she tells Jane that "It is far better to endure patiently a smart which nobody feels but yourself, than commit a hasty action whose evil consequences will extend to all connected with you -- and, besides, the Bible bids us return good for evil."

3. Jane is in the middle of these two extremities. She respects Helen's maturity and grace when dealing with negativities, but she knows that she wouldn't be able to remain that patient with the world. However, she knows that she doesn't want to be as strict and hypocritical as Brocklehurst.

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