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

Discuss Charlotte Bronte’s portrayal of childhood in Jane Eyre. Charlotte Brontà «Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s ‘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 Brontà « highlights many hypocritical aspects of Victorian society, mainly focusing on the religious hypocrisy of the era. Subtitled ‘An Autobiography’, the novel in parts closely resembles Brontà «Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s own childhood and her evocation of Jane’s experiences of Gateshead and Lowood remain as vivid as ever for the modern reader. Brontà « explores childhood feelings of hurt and loss, focusing on a solitary, suffering child. In these first nine chapters we see Jane at 'Gateshead', where she is the victim of unjust treatment within the Reed family (a 'poor relation'), and then at Lowood, the victim once more of a harsh, tyrannical and unjust regime (despite the good influences of Miss Temple). In these circumstances Jane is shown to be continually subject to harsh and unjust treatment. Yet the narration also establishes Jane as a passionate, emotional, potentially fiery, and morally clear-sighted: she has a strong will, and refuses to let injustice and hypocrisy go by. She comments that ‘conventionality is not morality’. However this unusual and uncontrollable passion in a little girl is abhorred in Victorian society, it goes against the doctrine that states ‘children should be seen and not heard.’ Bessie exclaims ‘Did anybody ever see such a picture of passion!’ when Jane attacks Master Reed. She is often described by the Reed household as an animal: ‘you rat!’; ‘Hold her arms Miss Abbot: she’s like a mad cat.’ She is lowly regarded within the household, they wish she c... ...es represented by Mrs. Reed and Mr Brocklehurst is shown most clearly in the character of Helen Burns, who is most clearly a product of their propagandizing on humility and self-denial. Although Jane respects Helen’s honesty and stoicism, she cannot understand her beliefs and the way in which she accepts her constant chastisement so submissively; she herself ‘should wish the earth to open and swallow me up.’ After talking to Helen, Jane comments that her feelings were ‘better regulated’ and ‘thoughts more harmonious.’ Finally in Mrs. Temple Jane finds someone whom she can respect and admire; a role model. Helen observes that ‘Miss. Temple is full of goodness; it pains her to be severe to anyone.’ The portrayal of Childhood in this novel is utterly convincing and illustrates the triumph of a child’s spirit in spite of difficult circumstances very well.