I have read this book a couple of times now. When I was much younger, it was one of the books my grandmother gave me. Through the years, I have gained many messages from it. This time through, I have been thinking more about an event that occurred at the beginning of the book. Jane is not treated well by those with whom she lives with and after one of those unfair treatments, Jane strikes out.
In consequence of her actions, she is sent away to a school for orphans. A pretty severe consequence for a lapse in self-control. That seems so extreme and cruel. This time through, I looked at the story in a different light. Audrey Rindlisbacker (Mission-Driven Mom) asks the question: What principle/s did Jane or her aunt not understand or live?
Well, that has me thinking and thinking.
To add to that, I have been comparing Mrs. Reed with Miss Temple. Both of these adults were responsible for Jane Eyre’s well–being. How were they different? Why?
I way I see it is that Miss Temple tried to live her life based on principles, and Mrs. Reed lived her life based on emotions. Even at the end of Mrs. Reed’s life, she showed that she was still ruled by her emotions, and those emotions were all negative. Miss Temple worked to find the principles and had a more positive view of her situation, yet their circumstances were very different. Miss Temple had a very hard, cold life compared to the comfort and luxury of Mrs. Reed’s life.
When Jane was around Mrs. Reed, she too lived based on her emotions – her very negative emotions. Jane was treated unfairly; however, the thoughts that she had made things worse for her. Jane chose passion over principle for many years. You can see this as you compare Jane to Miss Temple and Helen. Both of these ladies suffered much, yet they found ways to find the good, be positive, and focus on the principles of natural law.
Jane did follow in the footsteps of Miss Temple and Helen. She states: “Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth – so I have always believed;…”
Jane turned from the idea of allowing emotion to rule her and lived by the principles she discovered in her life.
This story has me thinking about how I treat people. Do I let my emotions rule, or do I live my life based on principles? In what ways should I treat people? Based on what principles?
What principles were not understood at the beginning of this story? That all people are of divine worth and should be treated with kindness and respect.
In consequence of her actions, she is sent away to a school for orphans. A pretty severe consequence for a lapse in self-control. That seems so extreme and cruel. This time through, I looked at the story in a different light. Audrey Rindlisbacker (Mission-Driven Mom) asks the question: What principle/s did Jane or her aunt not understand or live?
Well, that has me thinking and thinking.
To add to that, I have been comparing Mrs. Reed with Miss Temple. Both of these adults were responsible for Jane Eyre’s well–being. How were they different? Why?
I way I see it is that Miss Temple tried to live her life based on principles, and Mrs. Reed lived her life based on emotions. Even at the end of Mrs. Reed’s life, she showed that she was still ruled by her emotions, and those emotions were all negative. Miss Temple worked to find the principles and had a more positive view of her situation, yet their circumstances were very different. Miss Temple had a very hard, cold life compared to the comfort and luxury of Mrs. Reed’s life.
When Jane was around Mrs. Reed, she too lived based on her emotions – her very negative emotions. Jane was treated unfairly; however, the thoughts that she had made things worse for her. Jane chose passion over principle for many years. You can see this as you compare Jane to Miss Temple and Helen. Both of these ladies suffered much, yet they found ways to find the good, be positive, and focus on the principles of natural law.
Jane did follow in the footsteps of Miss Temple and Helen. She states: “Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth – so I have always believed;…”
Jane turned from the idea of allowing emotion to rule her and lived by the principles she discovered in her life.
This story has me thinking about how I treat people. Do I let my emotions rule, or do I live my life based on principles? In what ways should I treat people? Based on what principles?
What principles were not understood at the beginning of this story? That all people are of divine worth and should be treated with kindness and respect.
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