Quote: “But I feel this, Helen: I must dislike those who, whatever I do to please them, persist in disliking me; I must resist those who punish me unjustly. It is as natural as that I should love those who show me affection, or submit to punishment when I feel it is deserved.” (page 119)
Comment: Throughout the book, Jane had been mistreated everywhere that she lived but all of the people who mistreated her were “in charge”. Jane had to endure what Mrs. Reed and her awful children did to her and then dealt with teachers and Mr.Brocklehurst at Lowood. All of the people that punished Jane seemed to do so for no reason. Jane was tormented by Mrs.Reed and her children for doing absolutely nothing and then punished at Lowood for accidentally breaking a plate. Jane may have dealt with bad people where she lived, but she also had kind people trying to look after her. At the house, she had Bessie who tried to treat Jane better than the rest in the house. I think at the time Jane thought that everyone was trying to belittle her. Only at the end when Jane was leaving for Lowood did she realize that Bessie cared about her. At Lowood, she had Miss Temple who was extremely kind to her and tried to look after her every chance that she got. I agree with Jane saying that people who treat others badly should be treated badly in return and those who treat others kindly should receive the same attitude back. Jane did stand up to Mrs. Reed who backed down and seemed to agree with Jane’s argument. When Jane was publicly shamed in front of her classmates at Lowood she did not stand up for herself because maybe she thought that she deserved the punishment for breaking the plate. Jane seems like a kind and smart girl and endured more then he should of.
Question: Was Jane treated so poorly because she was knowledgable and continued to strive to learn more? Did people resent her because of her knowledge and at such a young age?
