Jane Eyre Question 5

Jane Eyre reflects history, behavior, and social issues of the time period and setting which was England early 1800's. In this time period woman were somewhat respected. They could have jobs and go to school. They could own property and handle money. You were expected to marry in your social class. Men still were the priority because they men had more rights. Men overpowered the women. During Jane's stay at Lowood the reader see Mr Brucklehurst treat the girl's at the school with no respect. He makes girl's cut thier hair because he does not like it and when girl's at the school get sick he stays away and does not help them. (Bronte 150-188) He also embarrasses Jane by calling her a liar in front of all the girls. Mr. Brocklehurst is an example of women not getting respected. He does not care how the girl's at Lowood survive. The reader can see this because he gives them uneatable food and gets angry when a teacher feeds them with her salary. Mr. Brocklehurst just shows horrible behavior. He does not care. There are also many social issues in this period. If you were in a low social classes with little to no income you were considered poor and were a disgrace. If you had lots of money or an important job you were considered a high class citizens. People gave you more respected and treated yuou in a good way. This may be a reason Mr. Brocklehurst looked down upon the girls at Lowood. The girls staying their had been or orphaned or had only one parent. (Bronte 80)They had little money. Mr. Brocklehurst had lots of money therefore he saw them differently. Overall I think Jane Eyre does a good job of showing the history, social issues, and behaior of the setting of this book.

Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Ed. Margaret Smith. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1998. Print.