“It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it. Millions are doomed to a stiller doom than mine, and millions are in silent revolt against their lot.”
Brontë, page 178
Jane Eyre has recently arrived at Thornfield, finding it surprisingly comfortable. She has been on the receiving end of harsh punishment her entire life. Both her family and school teachers have treated her in unkind ways- yet she continues to push for what she believes is right and what will show she is not the bad child she is made out to be. From being locked in the red-room to being called a liar in front of the entire school, Jane has been exposed to various forms of punishment both physically and mentally. However the treatment she has received has no doubt made her capable of handling further hardships and will make her capable of handling more in the future. With the combination of previous harsh treatment as well as her Christian values, Jane has been able to able to cope fairly well with her unfortunate situation.
Question: Jane’s upbringing has greatly influenced her strong personality- would her strength still be as strong if she had not had the harsh treatments from her aunt? How do Jane’s Christian ethics play into how she may view and forgive those who have wronged her? How would Jane handle her current situation if she had more of a “tranquil” upbringing?
Hi Calista,
I thought this Q-C-Q was great and your questions did a great job at connecting what we’ve already read and how Jane’s upbringing has influenced her views.