Jane Eyre - chapters 5-10

Chapter 5 starts of with Jane preparing to, and leaving Gateshead for Lowood school. She is extremely excited to be leaving her Auntie and cousins behind. On arrival at gateshead she meets Miss Temple and Miss Miller. She is quickly settled in and sent to bed. The next day Jane has her first taste of a day at Lowood. While out on break she meets Helen Burns. The next day Jane witnesses Helen being unfairly punished by Mrs Scratcherd, and beaten with a string of twigs. Later that day Jane talks to Helen about the incident and argues how unjust the punishment was. Helen however accepts her punishment and agreed that it was needed. Helen backs herself up with biblical references such as 'love your enemies'. The next quarter of Lowood drags on for Jane, it is extremely cold and conditions are poor for the children. While in lessons Mr Brocklehurst arrives and begins to talk with Miss Temple. Jane remembers him from Gateshead and does her best to hide herself behind her slate. Mr Brocklehurst picks up on a girl, Julia Stevens, who had curls in her hair and orders a barber to come and cut it off, he is seen to be a hypocrit here as his daughters and wife are both in the room with curled hair, his wifes hair being unnaturally curled. Soon after Jane accidently drops her slate, with a crash on the floor Mr Brocklehurst calls her to him, sets her on a stool and makes and example of her, calling her a liar and evil, with references to the devil. Later that day Helen finds Jane sobbing in the room, Helen comforts Jane. Miss Temple then comes and and invites the two to her room where Jane explains her life at Gateshead to Miss Temple who makes sure that Janes name is cleared of Mr Brocklehursts accusations. Miss Temple keeps watching Helen and sighing and asks her about her health.

Themes

Similar themes run throughout the first of these chapters. The conditions at Lowood school are not good and the weather is still very cold and icy. This carries on the theme from the start of sadness. Nothing still does not seem to be very bright for Jane, despite her new surroundings. There are however a couple people at Lowood who show some hope for Jane, Miss Temple and Helen who both in these chapters have cared for Jane. However when Jane witnesses Helens unfair punishments an unjust theme is shown. There is also alot of religious references made by both Helen, when explaining why she deserves her punishment, and by Mr Brocklehurst when Jane is stood on the stool. The theme seems to become alot warmer and loving when Jane visits Miss Temple in her room. She allows Jane to defend herself against Mr Brocklehursts accusations.