Themes: Christianity and Morality
Throughout the novel, the titular Jane Eyre is drawn to characters whom she feels embody the true virtues of Christianity and live moral lives. Her relationship with Helen Burns—a deep friendship that parallels her later passion for Rochester, albeit in a different way—stems largely from Jane’s belief that Helen is a godly and morally upright individual. Jane views Helen as entirely beautiful, because here, as elsewhere, she equates physical beauty with morality.
When Jane dismisses her own appearance as “Quakerish” and looking like a “governess,” there is a suggestion that she does not dare to identify any physical beauty in herself because she cannot believe she is morally worthy of displaying such beauty. On the contrary, Janes believes that her primary outward quality is that she looks like a governess—that is, she has learned. This may partly explain why Jane, unconvinced of her own moral worth, places so great an emphasis on learning and education: she views them as a means of attainable self-improvement.
Helen Burns’s moral goodness is placed in sharp contrast to the cruel and hypocritical Christianity of Mr. Brocklehurst, who runs Lowood School. He quotes from the Bible but misuses the testaments to convince his employees to neglect the girls under their care—all in the name of avoiding the sin of overindulgence. He argues that there can be no Christianity without punishment of the “vile bodies” of his human charges, as if this harsh treatment will help them to achieve a state of moral purity. However, the young Jane rightfully identifies that he is not truly a Christian at all.
When Jane abandons Mr. Rochester, she does so largely because she believes him to be immoral, having discovered that he sought to marry Jane even though his wife, Bertha Mason, is still alive. Jane is unconvinced by Mr. Rochester’s irreligious moral argument that his marriage to Bertha, who suffers from insanity, is no longer a true marriage and that he should no longer be expected to live as if it were.
Though Jane pities Mr. Rochester’s situation, she refuses to compromise her own Christian integrity and leaves Thornfield instead. After fleeing Mr. Rochester, Jane finds herself in the home of St. John, a highly religious, moral, and disciplined man who functions as a foil to Mr. Rochester. While Jane deeply admires and likes St. John, she cannot marry him as he asks. She realizes that St. John’s morality and Christian goodness alone are insufficient for Jane to live on, for she does not love him nor feel passion for him.
Ultimately, Jane finds that her own spiritual path lies somewhere between St. John’s uncompromising and cold Christianity and Mr. Rochester’s passionate irreverence.
Expert Q&A
What does Helen's quote mean in Jane Eyre: "If all the world hated you, while your own conscience approved you, and absolved you from guilt, you would not be without friends."
Helen's quote in Jane Eyre means that self-approval is more important than external validation. She reassures Jane that if her conscience is clear, she will always find inner peace and contentment, regardless of others' opinions. Helen emphasizes that true happiness comes from within and that one should not rely on others for approval or friendship.
Why does Jane Eyre end with St John and the penultimate words of the Bible?
Jane Eyre ends with St. John and the penultimate words of the Bible to emphasize the novel's central theme of Christian integrity and self-denial. Charlotte Bronte wants readers to understand that Jane's true fulfillment comes from living according to her Christian values, much like St. John. This ending underscores the importance of faith and renunciation, suggesting that true peace and happiness are found through self-sacrifice and devotion to Christ.
In Jane Eyre, what is Helen Burns' religious attitude?
Helen Burns' religious attitude in Jane Eyre is one of devout faith and patient endurance of suffering. She believes in enduring hardship without seeking revenge, following the example of Jesus Christ and teachings of the Bible. Helen's faith sustains her through all difficulties, and she remains gentle and humble, contrasting with Jane's more passionate nature.
How does Mr. Brocklehurst's attitude towards goodness differ from Helen Burns' in Jane Eyre?
Mr. Brocklehurst's attitude towards goodness in Jane Eyre is hypocritical and legalistic; he preaches austerity and obedience to rules while living in luxury himself. He lacks charity and compassion, seeing goodness as mere rule-following. In contrast, Helen Burns embodies true Christian virtues, bearing suffering with faith and kindness, valuing charity over strict adherence to rules. Unlike Brocklehurst, Helen's goodness is genuine and compassionate, emphasizing inner faith over outward compliance.
In Jane Eyre, how does Miss Temple's affirmation of Jane's honesty influence her willingness to work?
Miss Temple's affirmation of Jane's honesty in "Jane Eyre" profoundly impacts Jane's willingness to work. After being publicly exonerated of the false accusations against her, Jane feels reborn and motivated to excel at Lowood School. She works diligently, improves her skills, and is promoted to higher classes. This newfound validation and acceptance allow Jane to thrive academically and socially, making her content with her life at Lowood, unlike her previous experiences at Gateshead.
What quotes show the conflict between Jane's love and her duty to God in Jane Eyre?
In Jane Eyre, why does Miss Temple positively impact the girls, unlike Mr. Brocklehurst?
Miss Temple positively impacts the girls through her genuine care and empathy, contrasting sharply with Mr. Brocklehurst's hypocrisy and cruelty. While Brocklehurst humiliates and starves the girls under the guise of teaching humility, Miss Temple offers kindness, support, and practical help, like providing food when meals are inadequate. Her compassion and fairness earn the girls' respect and love, making her a lasting positive influence in their lives.
What is Mr. Brocklehurst's theory about dealing with the poor and what is hypocritical about his teachings?
Mr. Brocklehurst advocates that poor girls in the orphanage must endure deprivation to build character and spiritual fortitude. However, his teachings are hypocritical as he and his family live in luxury, contradicting his call for austerity. This hypocrisy is highlighted when he condemns an orphan's natural curls for vanity while his own daughters are lavishly dressed and styled. His actions reveal a stark contrast between his preachings and personal lifestyle.
Rochester's role, morality, and portrayal as a loving person in Jane Eyre
In Jane Eyre, Rochester is a complex character who grapples with morality. His role as Jane's love interest is complicated by his deceit and moral ambiguities, particularly regarding his hidden marriage. Despite his flaws, Rochester is portrayed as capable of deep love and redemption, ultimately finding moral clarity and genuine affection for Jane by the novel's end.
Religion in Jane Eyre
In Jane Eyre, religion is a multifaceted theme, reflecting both genuine faith and hypocrisy. Characters like Mr. Brocklehurst represent religious hypocrisy, using faith to justify cruelty at Lowood School, while Helen Burns embodies true Christian virtues of forgiveness and kindness. St. John Rivers, though sincere in his missionary zeal, is emotionally cold, contrasting with Jane's warm, moral Christianity. Jane's personal faith guides her actions, as seen when she leaves Mr. Rochester to uphold her moral principles, highlighting the novel's critique of religious hypocrisy and the value of true faith.
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