Gaskell's Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre

Gaskell's Jane Eyre depicts English life in a similar way to ideas associated with English History at the time. Nineteen-century religion in England was typically characterized by the Anglican Church (Church of England) and the ongoing issue of whether to accept or simply ignore other forms of religion. Early on in the novel Gaskell examines how religion is very prevalent on the minds of the characters in the book. Margaret's father informs Margaret and her mother of his feelings of uncertainty in his faith and how he has to leave the church and their cozy life behind. This would seem to be the typical response by an adult (especially a school master) to a child displaying disrespect to the bible. Even today this would be an unacceptable attitude in many families if their child felt this way, but back then religion was held in the highest esteem. If someone was not interested or did not believe in the stories of the bible their moral character was judged to be distasteful or even wicked.

Lowood shows the harsh realities of what charity-school life was probably like during the time. Bronte paints a picture of the school being unsettling and unbearable much of the time. The school day begins before dawn, the students eat meager rations of burnt and unappetizing food, and the grounds surrounding the school are dark and depressing. Bronte is making a point by trying to give us an idea of how hard and bleak the conditions likely were at the time. Brocklehurst insists that the girls eat a starvation-level diet so that they don't become accustomed to "habits of luxury and indulgence." Brocklehurst justifies this extreme lifestyle by referring to Christian doctrines. Like the primitive Christians and tormented martyrs, the girls should revel in their suffering and accept Jesus' consolations. Brocklehurst shows how hypocritical he is when his own wife and daughters enter the classroom. As Brocklehurst lectures Miss Temple on the need to cut off the girls' long hairÐ'--it's a sign of vanityÐ'--his wife and daughters walk into the room, dressed in velvet, silk, and furs. Jane notes that his daughters' hair is "elaborately curled" and that his wife wears fake French curls. Bronte is obviously a staunch supporter for women's rights in the novel she is advocating for women at the time much like Mary Shelley. She shows how women need active pursuits, just as men do; they, too, need to stretch their intellectual limits. Indeed, Jane believes men are "narrow-minded" to suggest women should satisfy themselves with domestic pursuits. Arguing that a silent rebellion is probably brewing in many women's minds at the time of the novel but most do not speak their mind like Jane does.

There is very little to any reference of politics during the course of the book. Mr. Rochester a wealthy landowner who has received most of his fortune from family inheritance would be a likely influence on politics for the time, considering how large landowners had at least one vote in the House of Commons. Social class is very noticeable in the novel. Jane does not seem to really have a class after she becomes a governess. Jane seems to represent how English women may have been at the time. French women were thought to be more superficial and materialistic and English women more spiritual and sensitive. Conversation between Jane and Rochester in much of the story seems to be abnormal behavior for the master of the house and his governess. A wealthy landowner and one of his servants