Discuss Charlotte Bronte’s portrayal of childhood in Jane Eyre. Essay

Discuss Charlotte Brontes portrayal of childhood in Jane Eyre.Charlotte Bronts Jane Eyre was a controversial novel for its time.It traces the heroine from an orphan child to a contented adult woman.Through the trials Jane experiences Bront highlights manyhypocritical aspects of Victorian society, mainly focusing on thereligious hypocrisy of the era. Subtitled An Autobiography, thenovel in parts closely resembles Bronts own childhood and herevocation of Janes experiences of Gateshead and Lowood remain asvivid as ever for the modern reader.Bront explores childhood feelings of hurt and loss, focusing on asolitary, suffering child. In these first nine chapters we see Jane atGateshead, where she is the victim of unsporting treatment within theReed family (a poor relation), and then at Lowood, the victim oncemore of a harsh, tyrannical and unjust regime (despite the goodinfluences of Miss Temple). In these circumstances Jane is shown to becontinually subject to harsh and unjust treatment. Yet the narrationalso establishes Jane as a passionate, emotional, potentially fiery,and morally clear-sighted she has a strong will, and refuses to letinjustice and hypocrisy go by. She comments that conventionality isnot morality.However this unusual and uncontrollable passion in a teensy-weensy girl isabhorred in Victorian society, it goes against the doctrine thatstates children should be seen and not heard. Bessie exclaims Didanybody ever see such a picture of passion when Jane attacks MasterReed. She is often expound by the Reed household as an animal youratHold her arms Miss Abbot shes like a mad cat.She is depressed regarded within the household, they wish she c... ...es represented by Mrs. Reed and Mr Brocklehurstis shown most clearly in the character of Helen Burns, who is mostclearly a product of their propagandizing on humbleness and self-denial.Although Jane respects Helens honesty and stoicism, she cannotunderstand her beliefs and the way in which she accepts her constantchastisement so submissively she herself should wish the earth toopen and swallow me up. aft(prenominal) talking to Helen, Jane comments thather feelings were better regulated and thoughts more harmonious.Finally in Mrs. Temple Jane finds someone whom she can respect andadmire a role model. Helen observes that Miss. Temple is complete ofgoodness it pains her to be severe to anyone.The portrayal of Childhood in this novel is utterly convincing andillustrates the triumph of a childs character in spite of difficultcircumstances very well.