In Victorian England, the rich were treated with class and respect, but if one was poor, they received harsh and unfair treatment. An example from the novel is when Jane is treated unfairly by Miss Abbott, she says, “And you ought not to think yourself on an equality with Misses Reed and Master Reed, because Misses kindly allows you to be brought up with them” (Bronte 12). Miss Abbott is saying that Jane is not equal with her adopted parents just because she was poor and without a home before she came to Gateshead. Jane is frustrated and does not understand why she has to always be beaten up and blamed for things that she never does. Jane says, “Why was I always suffering, always browbeaten, always accused, forever condemned” (Bronte 14).