As readers saw in her final conversation with Aunt Reed, Jane firmly believes in retaliation and vengeance. The clergyman, headmaster and treasurer of Lowood School, he commonly mistreats the children in his care. Her intuitive dislike for him is clearly justified in this scene. Another minor detail, which I have included because of its significance, is that fact that Mr Brocklehurst orders Julia Severns curls to be cut off, while his wife is wearing a false front of French curls. At the arrival of this dour man, who looks "longer, narrower, and more rigid than ever," Jane is immediately upset. While her compassion, elegance, and reverence for learning make her a valuable role model for Jane, Miss Temple's failure to confront injustice directly is unacceptable to Jane. Jane Eyre. Mr. Brocklehurst: The manager of Lowood, the school Jane attends. He is mean, vindictive and enjoys making the girls quiver in his presence. Miss Temple is very kind and intelligent. What is hypocritical about Mr. Brocklehurst and his teachings?' his own daughters walked in, in velvet and silk, and wearing furs. He wishes his girls to be "the children of grace", and wants their appearance as plain and simple as can be. Founded by the Swiss theologian John Calvin, a leader in the Protestant Reformation movement, Calvinists follow a strict moral code and believe in the salvation of a select few who have been elected by God's grace. Before, she had been merely a spectator at Lowood, but now Jane will become an actor, participating fully in the events at the school. As Jane sits sewing, she notices once again how unfairly Helen Burns in treated: Miss Scatcherd picks on Helen for inconsequential things, such as poking her chin unpleasantly or not holding her head up. During his visit, Jane accidentally drops her slate. As befits the family of so pious a clergyman, they wear plain woolen gowns and have their hair combed flat against their heads. She also feels all people are required to bear what fate has ordained for them. Reading between the lines, however, his hypocrisy is clearly apparent. His two daughters had greay beaver hats, shaded with ostrich plumes. Again, Jane employs the language of heroism and slavery but while she had been a "rebel slave" at the Reeds, here Helen's heroism passes into Jane so that she can relinquish her victimization. Brocklehurst's hypocrisy becomes most apparent when his own wife and daughters enter the classroom. In contrast, Helen believes she herself suffers from carelessness and poor concentration, spending too much time daydreaming about her home in Deepden, Northumberland. Mr Brocklehurst had a daughter?! Again this shows the difference in treatment of his pupils and his family. Mr. Brocklehurst enters the book in this chapter, ushering in the change that will alter Jane's life. Mr. Brocklehurst embodies the hypocrisy of misguided religion. Jane Eyre / r / (originally published as Jane Eyre: An Autobiography) is a novel by English writer Charlotte Bront, published under the pen name "Currer Bell", on 16 October 1847, by Smith, Elder & Co. of London.The first American edition was published the following year by Harper & Brothers of New York. He enjoys the power he has and enjoys doling out punishments. The novelist Elizabeth Sewell recalls how, at her school in the 1820s, girls who told a lie were made to stand in a black gown with a picture of a liars tongue round their neck. Although Helen accepts all punishment without a tear, the "spectacle" of her friend's suffering causes Jane to quiver with "unavailing and impotent anger." The reader can really tell she loves her job and the girls she gets to take care of. DEATH OF MR. BROCKLEHURST. "The dread judge" Mr Brocklehurst when he punishes Jane for dropping the slate "By dying young I shall escape great suffering." Brocklehurst insists that the girls eat a starvation-level diet so that they don't become accustomed to "habits of luxury and indulgence." Mr. Brocklehurst attempts to embody Christian morals and then treats the students at Lowood with disgust and cruelty. Brocklehurst justifies this extreme lifestyle by referring to Christian doctrines. It is with regret we state that Mr. Thomas Brocklehurst passed away on Sunday at the residence of his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Sutton of Needhams Farm, Kettleshulme. "Her daughter is a mature 15-year-old, she has a bookmarked pages associated with this title. Through Helen's actions, Jane learns that heroism isn't achieved by vengeance, but by dignity, intelligence, and courage. Mr. Brocklehurst is a minor antagonist in Charlotte Bronte's literary classic "Jane Eyre" although he plays a minor role in the book itself, and only makes two appearances (and five mentions) his dramatic characterization leaves both a lasting impact in the characters and the reader.. In Helen's opinion, Jane should even try to forgive her Aunt Reed, because life is too short for "nursing animosity." Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# To continue using this website please confirm that you accept our use of Cookies. The Importance of Miss Temple In the novel Jane Eyre, written by Charlotte Bronte, one reoccurring motif is the idea of Jane, the protagonist, needing a motherly figure to guide her. Helen Burns views life's hardships as something to be endured. The Clergy Daughters' School, "Mr Brocklehurst" and Charlotte Bront. 2020 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. If you're referring to the daughter that he had with Jane Eyre, even though I'm not sure it's female. from your Reading List will also remove any Mr Brocklehurst Dani Simmonds/Shutterstock.com. Helen praises Jane for her virtues, such as the ability to pay careful attention during lessons. While Jane thinks Helen should fight against injustice, Helen tells her to follow Christ's example by loving her enemies. Jane notes that his daughters' hair is "elaborately curled" and that his wife wears fake French curls. When struck without reason, the victim needs to "strike back again very hard," in order to teach the assailant a lesson. She learns more about Helen's philosophy of life and her doctrine of endurance. Privacy Policy. Brocklehurst wants the pupils of Lowood School to be modest and pious and he Mr Brocklehursts splendidly attired daughters are a striking contrast to the poor, underfed and skimpily dressed girls at Lowood. Get a verified expert to help you with Mr. Brocklehurst in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bront. What are the reasons for Helen's endurance? Again Helen's power is spiritual rather than corporeal: Her eyes are inspired by a "strange light" and her smile is angelic. For many years he worked on the railway and was also a Hire verified expert $35.80 for a 2-page paper. While this is going on his own daughters are described as being dressed in fine clothes and wearing their hair according to the latest fashion. Brocklehurst's hypocrisy becomes most apparent when his own wife and daughters enter the classroom. She has come to accept the poor conditions laid down by Mr. Brocklehurst, however has not yet learnt to ignore them and That same year, Bront visited His wife and daughters are dressed in the finest clothes and jewels although he believes that the Helen argues that a true Christian should mimic Jesus by loving, blessing, and benefiting her neighbors. Markham Colliery 1973 disaster. However, Mr Brocklehursts daughters themselves wear clothes trimmed with ermine, a royal material, and false French curls. Bronts apt choice of the word false calls the readers attention to the falsity of Brocklehursts purported belief in modesty for the poor girls of Lowood. In 1823 he established at Cowan Bridge the Clergy Daughters' School for low-cost education of daughters of poorer members of the clergy. Helen offers a view of Christianity that contrasts with the strict, hypocritical religion of Mr. Brocklehurst. Finally, he appears at the school. Mrs. Fairfax: The elderly servant and housekeeper at Thornfield. List of miners killed in the 1973 disaster. Your free preview of York Notes Plus+ 'Jane Eyre (Grades 91) ' has expired. Mr. Brocklehurst gets his kicks in life from going around intimidating little girls, keeping them half-starved and cold, and telling them that theyre going to hell for their sins, all while feeling self-righteous about doing it and thinking that Gods giving him a big thumbs-up. CliffsNotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors, so no matter what you're studying, CliffsNotes can ease your homework headaches and help you score high on exams. Although Jane thinks Helen may have access to some deep spiritual truth, Jane cannot understand Helen's "doctrine of endurance" or her sympathy for her torturer. Jane Eyre. Mr Brocklehurst's daughters reflect the hypocrisy of Mr Brocklehurst. On first seeing this grim man, Jane describes him as "a black pillar! First, she doesn't want to be a burden on her family, causing them grief by misbehaving. The significant differences between Jane's and Helen's philosophies of life become apparent in this chapter. Mr. Brocklehurst again paused--perhaps overcome by his feelings. This is the idea of 'charity' that rules the institution: inequality. When Mrs. Reed (who, by the way, is supposed to be performing the fundamentally Christian act of charity) informs Brocklehurst that Jane is a bad child, he asks her whether she enjoys the Psalms, to which she replies that she finds them uninteresting. Her petulant but loving charge, Adele, and the housekeeper, Mrs Fairfax, are her sole company, while Rochester remains a distant, mysterious and yet imposing presence. With her mind aimed squarely at heaven, Helen urges Jane to remember the eternal spirit that animates her temporary, corruptible body. Mr. Brocklehurst's Family There is only one scene in which we see Mr. Brocklehursts family and that sheds great light on the hypocrisy of his character, he chooses a different kind of life for himself and his family and a different one for the students at Lowood Institution. Jane assumes that Mr Brocklehurst, as the proprietor of the school, is respected and admired by all. Brocklehurst immediately brands her as careless. Unlike Helen, Jane believes in being good to people who are good to her. As Brocklehurst lectures Miss Temple on the need to cut off the girls' long hair it's a sign of vanity his wife and daughters walk into the room, ornately dressed in velvet, silk, and furs. Jane Eyre. Jane Eyre. Brocklehurst stands her on a stool and announces to the entire school that Jane is a liar. Like the primitive Christians and tormented martyrs, the girls should revel in their suffering and accept Jesus' consolations. Jane is worried at his arrival, because she remembers Mrs. Reed's comments to him about Jane's deceitfulness and Mr. Brocklehurst's promise to warn the teachers at the school of Jane's unsavory character. sorry i have not read that book for a very long time. When the girls wake for breakfast on Jane's second morning at Lowood, they discover that the water in the pitchers is frozen. As Brocklehurst lectures Miss Temple on the need to cut off the girls' long hair it's a sign of vanity his wife and daughters walk into the room, ornately dressed in velvet, silk, and furs. Her belief in predestination, the idea that one's life is guided by fate rather than choice, shows her adherence to the philosophy of Calvinism. She has answers for the most difficult questions. He represents the hypocrisy in religion in contrast to Helen and St. John. The school was his idea, and he lived close by so he managed much of what went on there. and any corresponding bookmarks? Although Miss Temple tells her not to be afraid of punishment, Jane is soon made the dunce of the school. At this point, Mr. Brocklehursts wife and daughters enter and interrupt his kind-hearted, sweet-natured, humble instructions. A prime example of this kind of person is Mr. Brocklehurst in Jane Eyre. Mr Brocklehurst had been married for 36 years. Removing #book# The prototype for Mr. Brocklehurst was a Reverend Carus Wilson, who was treasurer of the committee that oversaw the Clergy Daughters school at Cowan Bridge. such, at least, appeared to me, at first sight, the straight, narrow, sable-clad shape standing erect on the rug; the grim face at the top was like a carved mask." Equally, she learns to change her behavior by changing her attitude; Helen's mere smile turns Jane's shame into strength. The fearsome Brocklehurst was "little liked here; he They were attired in velvet, silk, and furs. All rights reserved. Although she is initially humiliated by his punishment, feeling that she is standing on a "pedestal of infamy," Helen offers solace. Brocklehurst's hypocrisy is highlighted in this chapter. Chapter 1: The young Jane is isolated and alone, Chapter 5: Jane journeys to Lowood School, Chapter 6: Jane makes friends with Helen Burns, Chapter 11: Jane arrives at Thornfield Hall, Chapters 12 and 13: Jane meets Mr Rochester, Chapter 14: The developing relationship between Jane and Rochester, Chapter 15: Jane saves Rochester from a fire, Chapter 16: Jane tries to curb her feelings, Chapters 18 and 19: The mysterious fortune-teller, Chapter 21: Jane returns to Gateshead Hall, Chapter 27: Jane decides to leave Thornfield, Chapter 31: Jane becomes a teacher at Morton, Chapter 32: St John and Jane discuss Rosamund Oliver, Chapter 33: Jane receives her inheritance and her family, Chapter 36: Jane returns to Thornfield again, Chapters 37 and 38: Rochester and Jane meet again. While Jane is always ready to fight against her enemies, Helen practices a doctrine of patient endurance. Orphaned Jane emerges from a cold, hostile upbringing at Lowood Institution to take her place as governess at Thornfield, home of Mr Rochester. The Presentation of Mr. Brocklehurst in Bronte's Jane Eyre Chapter seven sees Jane slightly more experienced to the ways of Lowood School. However, a mere few seconds later, his daughters enter with a profusion of light tresses, elaborately curled. Again, she focuses on the harshness of life at Lowood: the severe cold, near starvation, and the long hours spent memorizing the Church Catechism and listening to long sermons. Remember that Mr Brocklehursts daughters were all well dressed and pompous, but the girls in Lowood had no right to beauty, to love and to freedom of thought. Mr. Brocklehurst was 81. Mr Brocklehurst said Nevidomska is a single parent who has been in the UK for five years and works as a clothes sorter in a factory. The school's founder and head, the Rev William Carus-Wilson, was the inspiration for Mr Brocklehurst, Lowood's autocratic head. The fees were very low, subsidised by donations made by Carus Wilson and others. While her compassion for other people is admirable and her rejection of vengeance and retaliation temper Jane's passionate anger, Helen will not offer Jane a completely acceptable model of Christianity because of her refusal to live in the real world. She teaches Jane how to show strength in the face of adversity. Either purchase below, or click on the video below to learn more. The light that shines in Helen's eyes when she walks past Jane's stool sends an "extraordinary sensation" through Jane, as if a "hero" has walked past a "slave or victim, and imparted strength in the transit." Charlotte held Carus Wilson responsible for the deaths of her sisters Maria and Elizabeth, who died of tuberculosis at the school.Therefore Helen Burn's death and Brocklehurst's character has a personal and narrative resonance. Fortunately for Jane, Mr. Brocklehurst, the financial manager of Lowood, is absent during most of this time. and find homework help for other Jane Eyre questions at eNotes he himself lives in luxury with his wife and daughters. Despite Miss Scatcherd's criticisms, Helen appears to be one of the brightest students in the class. Brocklehurst makes Jane stand on a stool in front of the class and orders her classmates to shun her because she is a liar. He leaves a widow, four daughters, a son and seven grand-children. The location of the artwork dedicated to Joseph will be in Zone 2, see the map here. The "madwoman" in the attic in Jane Eyre was inspired by real life. She is too much like the poor orphan in Bessie's song who rejected the real world in her dreams of heaven. Later in the evening, Jane converses once again with Helen. Miss Temple turns to stone rather than confront her boss. Mr Brocklehurst is the supervisor of Lowood School. No one is to speak to Jane for the rest of the day, but Helen silently supports her friend by smiling every time she passes Jane's stool. We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Calling Jane an "interloper and an alien," Brocklehurst attempts to place Jane back into the inferior, outsider position she occupied at Gateshead. Rather than arguing with Brocklehurst, as the headstrong Jane might have, Miss Temple attempts to hide her emotions, but Jane notices that her face appears to become as cold and fixed as marble, "especially her mouth, closed as if it would have required a sculptor's chisel to open it." Jane's first quarter at Lowood passes, and Chapter 7 records Jane's general impressions of her first three months at the school. Further Information.