Ask anyone who has read Jane Eyre what they remember most about this a well-known and well-loved book and likely answers will likely be the characters of Jane and her Byronic hero, Mr Rochester, the depiction of cruelty endured by Jane at Lowood and Bertha, the 'madwoman in the attic'. However, there is much to be learnt about contemporary views of religion in this multi-layered novel.
Religion During the 19th Century
During the 19th Century, the Church of England played a dominating role in British politics. It has been said the interdendency of politics and religion during this time has sometimes left historians arguing which faction had the upper hand. The enormous wealth and influence enjoyed by the Church of England enabled it to take the position, as argued by some, of 'institutional oppressor'. The miserable, degrading living conditions endured by many British citizens during the 19th Century were perhaps only challenged at grass roots level by the Church of England clergy and from this discontent rose several dissent groups.
Mr Brocklehurst in 'Jane Eyre'
The epithet 'institutional oppressor' may well have been penned to describe the character of the Reverend Brocklehurst. From his first meeting with Jane Eyre at Gateshead to his dreaded appearances at Lowood School, it is clear that Brocklehurst is a figure to be feared not just for his harsh, punitive style but mainly for his hypocrisy. He describes the system at Lowood School thus: 'plain fare, simple attire, unsophisticated accommodations, hardy and active habits: such is the order of the day in the house and its inhabitants.'
This 'harsh and prim' man standing erect, clad comfortably in a sable cape is a hypocrite of the first degree. The reader is left in no doubt of this when his wife and daughters visit Lowood, dressed in the finest clothes of velvet, silk and ermine. Jane, shivering in her thin frock points out, with understatement that they 'should have come a little sooner to have heard his lecture on dress'. The lecture had recommended that the pupils at Lowood be taught to 'clothe themselves with shamefacedness and sobriety, not with braided hair and costly apparel'.
Religious Hypocrisy in Victorian Times
It is deeply ironic that in the moments preceeding Mr Brockelhurst's proclaimation that Jane Eyre is 'a liar', Jane fears the exposure of these false claims mainly because she dreads being despised 'for a hypocrite' by Miss Temple. Miss Temple, who, as her name suggests, espouses the virtures of true faith, hope and charity, is the teacher who offers Jane solace in her hour of need. She allows Jane the opportunity to explain herself rather than frightening her with stories of burning in hell, as told by Brocklehurst.
Jane Eyre, then can be seen to reveal some interesting insights into the author's views of organised religion in 1847, the year of the book's publication. The character of St John Rivers, another man of the cloth, is interesting when taken in opposition to the character of Brocklehurst and raised further questions about the nature of religion in the 19th Century.
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