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Essay / Criticism of several religious aspects in Jane Eyre
During the Victorian era, the status of religion was one of the most pressing social and moral questions. Although Charlotte Brontë grew up in a religious family, she, like many other authors, was critical of certain aspects of religion although, like the protagonist of her novel Jane Eyre, she remained primarily a religious and spiritual person throughout. throughout his life. Throughout Jane Eyre, Bronte successfully conveys to readers her religious beliefs, as well as her critiques of some of the injustices and frauds she perceived within the Church. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on 'Why violent video games should not be banned'? Get an original essay In his novel, Bronte uses subtlety of characterization to heighten and emphasize his dissatisfaction with the Church of England . One of Jane's first encounters with religious hypocrites is her meeting with Mr. Brocklehurst, the wealthy and influential landlord of Lowood. He insists that "humility is a Christian grace", but he and his family members are luxuriously and fashionably adorned, "magnificently dressed in velvet, silk and furs". Examining this particular passage more closely, we can see that it is precisely Bronte's use of subtlety, Jane's innocent yet questioning observations, that fully bring to light Bronte's displeasure with such men . Meanwhile, Brocklehurst's tirade about children serves a crucial purpose: Brontë describes how evil and ugly his doctrines are – used to subjugate, control and manipulate. Furthermore, the notions of hell and punishment, which Brocklehurst uses to intimidate Jane, show how confusing and frustrating these two aspects of religion can be: the optimistic concepts of love and forgiveness versus the notions of hell and damnation. has not yet offered her much love or forgiveness, it is during her stay in Lowood, a poverty-stricken town, that she first encounters sincere examples of good Christian values in the characters of Helen Burns and Miss Temple, the latter being described as “full of kindness” by her pupils. In Helen, Jane discovers a side of religion she has never encountered before, a side that fills her with hope and affection. Yet despite Helen's gentle and passive doctrine of "turning the other cheek", Jane is still unable to fully accept her belief, insisting that she "must hate those who, whatever I [Jane ] done to please them, persist in hating me... resist those. who punish me unjustly. Jane's may not seem very Christian; However, Bronte uses Jane's beliefs to bring out her strong will and desire to follow her own belief system - in order to develop Jane's strong-willed character. It is then evident that Helen and her doctrine serve as a foil to Jane and her own, as Jane attempts to disconnect herself from the responsibilities she perceives within Christianity. Once she finds herself and her confidence, she is able to grasp and accept her own beliefs, refusing to adapt to the creeping mentality and notions of the Church. After becoming a young woman and discovering herself through the many challenges presented to her on this path, Jane meets St. John Rivers, who is perhaps one of the most disciplined Christians in the novel. His absolute and unquestionable opinions on religion make him an interesting character. Jane notes that he is extremely active in both clergy and missionary work, but despite his enormous efforts, he is.