Jane Eyre Study Guide

Chapter I

Describe the setting

It is winter time (November), Jane works for an abusive wealthy family. It is alluded to that her father is dead. There is a spooky churchyard, which could be the grave of her father or Uncle Reed.

In what activity does Jane find solace during her time at Gateshead?

reading

How would you describe Jane so far?

Jane fears John but lives on adreinline, which leads her to fight back (strong-willed). She longs for connection, however, through societal expectations is unable to have any positive human interaction.

Chapter II

How do differences in class between the Reeds and Jane impact their relationships?

Since the Reeds have so much money they view Jane as a second class citizen. This causes Jane to be treated (and viewed) like a slave. Because of this and Mrs. Reed’s hatred for Jane this causes the whole household (including staff) to dislike Jane.

List seven words describing the red-room.

chill, silent, solemn, vacant, haunted, eerie, dark

Why does Mrs. Reed keep Jane at Gateshead?

Mr. Reed’s dying wish was that Mrs. Reed raise Jane as her own.

How does Mrs. Reed interpret Jane’s screaming and crying?

A trick to let her out of her confinement in the red-room prematurely

Chapter III

What is “the poor orphan child” doing in the ballad Bessie sings to Jane? Why?

The “poor orphan child” is traveling and is forsaken by the world. This is meant to serve as a parallel to Jane’s life.

What is Jane’s response to the opportunity to be sent to her hypothetical poor relations on the Eyre side of her family?

Jane wouldn’t want to be poor primarily because she couldn’t imagine poor people being kind. “I was not heroic enough to purchase liberty at the price of a caste.”

What does Jane learn about her parents’ history?

Jane’s mother was cut off by her (Jane’s) grandfather for marrying a poor man. Jane’s father caught typhus fever and both her mother and father died of typhus fever within a month of each other.

chapter IV

Make note in your Allusions Glossary of any fairy tales alluded to in this chapter.

Why is Jane excluded from holiday festivities?

Who might be substitute parent(s) for Jane?

How does Jane feel about the Psalms? What does Mr. Brocklehurst say this proves about her?

What does Jane promise to tell people who ask her, later in life, about Mrs. Reed?

Chapter V

Make note in your allusions glossary of allusions that appear in this chapter.

Describe Lowood.

Describe Miss. Temple.

Why does Jane choose the girl she chooses to speak to first?

What happens to this new friend towards the end of this chapter?

Chapter VI

Put Helen’s philosophy in your own words.

How does Helen help Jane understand how vengeance harms both the giving and receiving parties?

What are Helen’s religious beliefs?

Chapter VII

Make note in your allusions glossary of allusions that appear in this chapter.

What is ironic about the misery of Sundays at Lowood?

What does Mr. Brocklehurst believe will aide the girls’ spiritual growth?

How is the punishment Jane experiences toward the end of the chapter different than the punishment she endured at Gateshead?

Chapter VIII

How does Helen’s valuing being good over being popular contrast with Jane’s?

What in Jane’s background may make this advice too difficult to accept?

How does Helen’s influence aid Jane’s growth when telling Miss Temple of her childhood?

How do the last two sentences of this chapter indicate another area of growth in Jane’s perspective?