Jane Eyre :: essays research papers

In the story of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Mr. Broklehurst becomes a very controversial character that Jane encounters early in the story. Mr. Broklehurst, a rather annoying clergyman, feels that he has a specific goal. His goal, at least in his eyes, is to save the otherwise lost souls of his girls in the institution, but in reality he is trying to mold the girls to his own vision rather than God’s. For starters, he thinks that his depiction of what is good and evil is the same as God’s. He, in a sense, thinks he knows exactly what god knows. The only way that would work would be if he though he was God, right? He limits the girls appearance and he is very selective on what the girls should and should not eat for religions spiritual purposes. Mr. Brocklehurst feels that for spiritual reasons and to follow the motto of Lowood which says, Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven- (St. Matt. v. 16.) He must limit the appearance of the girls. He had Julia Severn, a girl of natural curls, cut her hair off. When Miss Temple had tried to rationalize with Mr. Brocklehurst and tell him that her hair is natural he replies and says, Naturally! Yes, but we are not to conform to nature: I wish these girls to be the children of Grace: and why that abundance? I have again and again intimated that I desire the hair to be arranged closely, modestly, plainly. Miss Temple, that girl’s hair must be cut off entirely; I will send a barber to-morrow: and I see others who have far too much of the excrescence- that tall girl, tell her to turn round. Tell all the first form to rise up and direct their faces to the wall. (pg. 55) This quote leads me to think who are the girls suppose to follow the motto of, God’s or his? And in all honesty, I don’t feel that God would think a person impure if they had curly red hair. Especially considering the fact that it is natural, meaning from God. He is very picky of what they should eat. I really don’t believe that god would condemn you if you had an extra piece of bread but there again you have Mr.