Religion in Jane Eyre In Jane Eyre the author, Charlotte Bronte, uses three characters to portray types of Christians . Helen Burns depicts Christian value both in her conversations with Jane and in her reactions to punishment from cruel Miss Scatcherd. In this book Mr. Brocklehurst portrays a downright hypocrite who does not follow the high Puritan values that he preaches. On the other hand, St. John Rivers practices what he preaches as is shown in the way that he unceasingly cares for his congregation at great personal sacrifice and deprivation. Helen Burns is a perfect example of the quiet, reserved, and turn the other cheek Christian. Helen, a student at Lowood School for Girls, is constantly being scolded, beaten, and publicly humiliated by Miss Scatcherd for her, “slatternly habits.” Helen is also Jane’s only friend during her time at Lowood. In chapter six Jane repeatedly questions …show more content…
Brocklehurst displays hypocritical Christian behaviors. Mr. Brocklehurst is the treasurer and manager of Lowood. He also is the preacher at the nearby church. He runs Lowood with an iron fist, giving only the bare necessities and sometimes less than. He institutes strict policies such as no braids, no curly hair, only one needle at a time per student, and every week only one clean tucker, a piece of lace or linen worn in or around the top of a bodice. He preaches that through self-denial and sacrifice the girls will be “cured” from their evils. He says in chapter seven, “I have a Master to serve whose kingdom is not of this world: my mission is to mortify in these girls the lusts of the flesh; to teach them to clothe themselves with shame-facedness and sobriety, not with braided hair and costly apparel.” Yet his wife and daughters clothe themselves in expensive velvet, silk, and furs. He is a hypocrite of the highest degree and uses God’s teachings as justification for his cruelty to the girls and to