rontë's description of Jane's realization that she must run away from Rochester abounds with religious images: "I was experiencing an ordeal: a hand of fiery iron grasped my vitals. Terrible moment: full of struggle. blackness, burning! Not a human being that ever lived could wish to be loved better than I was loved, and him who thus loved me I absolutely worshipped: and I must renounce love and idol. One dread word comprised my intolerable duty — "Depart!" First, we are told of the "hand of fiery iron" wreaking havoc within Jane. This evokes the strength of the devil and the power with which his hand might close around Jane, take hold of her. Next, we read of "blackness, burning!" which summons images of the bottomless and fiery pit of hell. Jane speaks of Rochester as one whom she "worshipped", as one might worship a god, or perhaps a false god. Finally Jane declares that she must "renounce" an "idol". These words present the reader with strong biblical images, those of the Israelites doing wrong by God by worshipping the golden calf. All these allusions to religion combine to make Jane aware of her "duty". She must leave Rochester to save herself.
The passage enforces the idea that one must cleave to the religious way of life to attain goodness and salvation. Instances throughout the book clarify this theme. An encounter with Mr. Brocklehurst, while in part poking fun at his evangelical ideas, introduces the reader to the attitudes in which Jane grew up:
"'No sight so sad as that of a naughty child,' he began, 'especially a naughty little girl. Do you know where the wicked go after death?'
'They go to hell,' was my ready and orthodox answer.
'And what is hell? Can you tell me that?'
'A pit full of fire.' v
'And should you like to fall into that pit, and to be burning there for ever?' 'No, sir.'" (p.27)
However distasteful and hypocritical Jane discovers Mr. Brocklehurst to be, she embraces the religious life with her decision to leave Rochester rather than to live with him in shame. We see in the given passage that the early ideas taught at Gateshead and Lowood influence her in later life when she must make her most difficult decisions.
Jane's experience at Lowood parallels Brontë's own at the Cowan Bridge School for Clergymen's Daughters. Founded by Reverend William Carus Wilson, after whom Brontë modeled Mr. Brocklehurst, the school was as strict and oppressive in its teachings as Lowood. ("Charlotte Brontë and the School for Clergymen's Daughters", Norton Critical Ed.) Wilson's publication, "The Children's Friend", reflects his belief in the evangelical premise that, "human beings are corrupt and need Christ to save them — thus the emphasis upon puritanical morality and rigidity." Exerpts from "The Children's Friend" show us those teachings to which Brontë was exposed:
'satan will try. . .to make you wicked; and to persuade you not to read your Bibles, and pray, and be God's children. But remember, he is the father of lies, and goeth about seeking whom he may devour, and ensnare into his place of torment. . ." "If you are careless about your souls, and disregard the good instructions you receive, oh! I tremble to think, what an account you will have to render to the great Judge at the last day!" (Norton Critical Ed.)
Wilson's words echo through Jane Eyre, especially in the given passage in which Jane chooses the path to salvation.
References
Charlotte Brontë. Jane Eyre. Norton Critical Edition. NY: Norton: 1987.
Content last modified 1993