PART 2 

: LOWOOD INSTITUTION
Read chapters 5 and 6. As you read, answer the following questions.
1. Fill in the gaps in these statements about events and characters in these chapters.

a. Jane travels alone to Lowood School on a cold day in the month of January.

b. Her first breakfast is a meal of burnt poodrige, which tastes so bad that she cannot eat
it.

c. Jane admires the school’s superintendent who is called « superintendant», Miss

Temple.

d. She sees a teacher called Scarthcled criticise and flog(fouetter) a girl unjustly.

e. Jane later talks to the girl and finds out that her name is Helene Burnt.

f. The school was founded as a charitable institution by a woman whose son, Mr

Brocklehurst, is now in charge.
Lowood is a new step in Jane's life, it first represented hope to learn,hope to be
educated,at the same time if she could have an education, it could also improve her
social condition. Lowood also represent freedom far from the Reeds family who didn't
treat her well and even hated her.So Lowood represent Jane's hope, new friendships
and finally be loved.
2. How does the description of life at Lowood create an impression of a harsh regime ?
An orphenage ; an institution of charity, they welcome oprhan children. Miss Brocklehurst
founded(crée) and funded(financé) this institution, his son is Mr.Blockehurst. It's a harsh
regime because :
The winter is so cold at that time , the clothe's girls they made themselves are not thick
enough to endure the cold ; they have to go to church every sundays,walking for
2miles,with poor shoes, poor clothes and even to go to recreation in the garden, the water
they use to clean themselves in the pitchers were even frozen.
The food is also poor ; « burnt porridge » and in very small quantities, not nourrishing
enough.Sundays for Jane was even worse than the week because she had to walk to the
church ,when sunday is supposed to be a day when you relax and have fun with your
friends. Teachers haven't christian kindness ,when that what they teach to the girls.
 The discipline is very hard , they are punished( corporal punitions) like when Helen was
bitten by Miss Scatcherd for not cleaning her nails;when the water used for cleaning was
frozen.
Military timetable ; loud bells ringing every days , the girls were obliged to listen to their
teachers for hours, orders given by the teachers by yelling.
All the girls are woken up by a « loud bell » when the « day had not yet begun to dawn »,
they have to clean themselves in a « bassin » while there are only one bassin for six girls ,
so the girls have to wait in the cold room for their turn ; « it was bitter cold, and I dressed as
well as I could for shivering,and washed when there was a bassin at liberty ».
Low(=inferior) + wood = dreariness,sadness. Lowood turn out to be worse than
Gateshead.The discipline, the living conditions were harsher but,on top of that the girls and
Jane were also mistreated.Lowood was not an improvement in Jane's life.However, in this
place of gloom there were bright stars ; Helen Burns and Miss Temple.
3. How does Helen Burns’s attitude towards people who wrong her contrast with
Jane’s ?
Helene is very religious so, she relies on the Bible and the Scriptures as a consequence
she is not resentful,she is not vengeful,she accept punishement ; «  love your
ennemies,bless them that curse you ; do good to them that hate you and
despitefully(méchamment) use you». That contrast with Jane who doesn't bear authority at
all. Helene Burns (wise,tolerant) serves as a foil(repoussoir,Helene Burns personnality
shows the difference of attitude they have) to Jane (passionate).
4. How does Charlotte Brontë present the character of Miss Temple ?
Generous, kind, benevolent woman who brought food to the girls who were hungry, who cheer
themp up when they have to walk to Lowood at the church and the contrary after,in a very cold winter.

5. Narrative structure :
Reread from ‘Is she going by herself ?’ (chap.5,p.50) to ‘the coach instantly drove
away.’ p.51
Question : how does Charlotte Brontë use this journey to convey a sense of Jane
moving on to a new stage of her life ? Think about how it shows Jane leaving Gateshead
behind and how it presents things that are new and different.
Complete this table :

detail evidence Effect or explanation

1.Jane is being sent away
from everything she has
known so far.
2. She doesn’t know what
will happen in the next
phase of her life.
She describes being
‘severed’ from Bessie and
Gateshead when the
coach drives away.
« thus wirled away to
unknow[...],remote(=lointa
ines) and mysterious
regions ».
C.Brontë uses the word
‘severed’ to suggest a
painful parting, and to
signify the breaking of old
ties.
The expression
« whirled » suggest the
way that what Jane is
about to follow is not
defined at all.It
emphazises what is
awaiting her is still a
mystery. Jane seems to
be quite excited at the
prospect of new

3. The unfamiliar towns She point out how the
and countryside give landscapes changed ;
Jane an impression of « we ceased to pass
great distance. through towns; the
country changed». She
thinks she is very far
away from Gateshead;
«I began to feel that we
were getting very far
indeed from Gateshead ».
possibilities or
experiences ,she is not
scared ;this journey
represent freedom and
hope , it also opens up to
new possiblites.
The fact that Charlotte
Bronte decided to
describe what Jane sees ,
may be to show how she
is very far away from
Gateshead ; the
landscapes changed, she
didn't recognize what she
sees ; she thinks
Gateshead is very far
behind her.
The change of scenery is
a metaphor for the
changes that is being
made in Jane's life.
Twilight mark that change
between her past and
new life that is awaiting
her. Twilight = shift
(=changement).

Read chapters 7 and 8. Number the events of these two chapters so they are in the correct
sequence.

a. Miss Temple comforts Jane, hears her story,and gives her and Helen tea and cake 6.

b. Mr Brocklehurst tells the whole school what Mrs Reed told him – that Jane is a liar.4 
c. Janes suffers at Lowood in the cold of the winter months. 1 
d. Mr Brocklehurst visits the school, inspecting and criticising the way it is run. 2
e. By contacting Mr Lloyd, Miss Temple confirms the truth of Jane’s story, and tells the school
her name has been cleared. 7 
f. Jane is punished by having to stand on a stool for an hour and having no one speak to her
all day. 5 
g. Jane attracts Mr Broclehurst’s attention by accidentally dropping her slate. 3 
1. Comment on ‘Sundays were dreary days in that wintry season.’
2. Compare the way Jane describes Mr Broklehurst p.73 to the way he was described
when she first saw him (chapter4).
She now, describes him as a cold-hearted person,who always correct what Miss Temple do,when
what she do is helping the girls, he only think about money, he din't want the girls to be in good
conditions.Mr. Brocklehurst enjoys wealth and comforts while the girls suffer. He have a strong
belief in christianism,a bit extreme: he oppresses the children under his care with an extreme
evangelical zeal. He is described by Jane as a impressive-intimidating-inflexible-insensitive-
frightening ; especially from a little girl's point of view ; « longer, narrower(=étroit), more rigid than
ever », « the gaunt outline »(=silhouette sans chair, tige), « this piece of architecture », «The black
marble clergyman ». He uses a lot of religious words ; when he compares Jane to the « evil one »,
or «god's own ». It could emplies that Mr.blockehurst live by his religious principles and precepts to
be taught and applied at Lowood. He is a cruel christian/ clergyman.
He asks some girls to cut their hair because they had curly hair, he don't want anyone to stand out
at Lowood. It go agaisnt his christianis principle ; humility(=caractère humble, modeste (de la
nature humaine, ou d'une condition sociale).
3. To what extent is the presentation of the Brocklehurst family ironic ?
A true christian should be humble and pious(=Qui a de la piété, qui est attaché aux croyances, aux
devoirs et aux pratiques de la religion) ; his wife and daughters ; clearly stands out because of their
clothes, their hair,etc... His principles do not apply his family. Mr.blockehurst ; an hypocrit.
Extract 5
Hitherto, while gathering up the discourse of Mr. Brocklehurst and Miss Temple, I had not, at the
same time, neglected precautions to secure my personal safety; which I thought would be effected,
if I could only elude observation. To this end, I had sat well back on the form, and while seeming to
be busy with my sum, had held my slate in such a manner as to conceal my face: I might have
escaped notice, had not my treacherous slate somehow happened to slip from my hand, and
falling with an obtrusive crash, directly drawn every eye upon me; I knew it was all over now, and,
as I stooped to pick up the two fragments of slate, I rallied my forces for the worst. It came.
‘A careless girl!’ said Mr. Brocklehurst, and immediately after—‘It is the new pupil, I perceive.’ And
before I could draw breath, ‘I must not forget I have a word to say respecting her.’ Then aloud: how
loud it seemed to me! ‘Let the child who broke her slate come forward!’
Of my own accord I could not have stirred; I was paralysed: but the two great girls who sit on each
side of me, set me on my legs and pushed me towards the dread judge, and then Miss Temple
gently assisted me to his very feet, and I caught her whispered counsel –
‘Don’t be afraid, Jane, I saw it was an accident; you shall not be punished.’
The kind whisper went to my heart like a dagger.
‘Another minute, and she will despise me for a hypocrite,’ thought I; and an impulse of fury against
Reed, Brocklehurst, and Co. bounded in my pulses at the conviction. I was no Helen Burns.
‘Fetch that stool,’ said Mr. Brocklehurst, pointing to a very high one from which a monitor had just
risen: it was brought.
‘Place the child upon it.’
And I was placed there, by whom I don’t know: I was in no condition to note particulars; I was only
aware that they had hoisted me up to the height of Mr. Brocklehurst’s nose, that he was within a
yard of me, and that a spread of shot orange and purple silk pelisses and a cloud of silvery
plumage extended and waved below me.
Mr. Brocklehurst hemmed.
‘Ladies,’ said he, turning to his family, ‘Miss Temple, teachers, and children, you all see this girl?’
Of course they did; for I felt their eyes directed like burning- glasses against my scorched skin.
‘You see she is yet young; you observe she possesses the ordinary form of childhood; God has
graciously given her the shape that He has given to all of us; no signal deformity points her out as
a marked character. Who would think that the Evil One had already found a servant and agent in
her? Yet such, I grieve to say, is the case.’
A pause—in which I began to steady the palsy of my nerves, and to feel that the Rubicon was
passed; and that the trial, no longer to be shirked, must be firmly sustained.
‘My dear children,’ pursued the black marble clergyman, with pathos, ‘this is a sad, a melancholy
occasion; for it becomes my duty to warn you, that this girl, who might be one of God’s own lambs,
is a little castaway: not a member of the true flock, but evidently an interloper and an alien. You
must be on your guard against her; you must shun her example; if necessary, avoid her company,
exclude her from your sports, and shut her out from your converse. Teachers, you must watch her:
keep your eyes on her movements, weigh well her words, scrutinise her actions, punish her body
to save her soul: if, indeed, such salvation be possible, for (my tongue falters while I tell it) this girl,
this child, the native of a Christian land, worse than many a little heathen who says its prayers to
Brahma and kneels before Juggernaut—this girl is—a liar!’

1. Explain how Mr.Brocklehurst notices Jane.

Jane knocked down her stale and she broke it in fragments that Mr Brocklehurst heard. Jane describes the
accident as a “falling with an obtrusive crash, directly drawn every eye upon me”.

2. Identify the lexical field of religion and say how it has an impact on Mr Broklehurst’s
characterisation.
“God has graciously given her the shape that He has given to all of us;”
“Who would think that the Evil One had already found a servant and agent in her?”
Mr Broclehurst is very religious and thinks that Jane is an evil person.

3. Explain Mr Brocklehurst’s point of view and compare to Jane’s feelings.

Mr Brocklehurst thinks that she done it on purpose to be confronted to him but in reality, Jane is terrified
and feels ashamed.

4. Observe and comment on the effect of the simile ‘the black marble clergyman’.
The simile(=comparaison) is totally opposite because a clergyman is supposed to be a saint, a kind person
who help people but here he is compared to a black marb.

GRAMMAR LAB

a. Observe the following sentence : ‘’You must be on your guard against her ; you must
shun her example ; if necessary,avoid her company, exclude her from your sports, and
shut her out from your converse.’’
b. Identify the repeated modal auxiliary and the verb forms.
Must + bv , imperatives
c. Explain why Charlotte Brontë chose to use the latter and the former and what they
express.
Mr Blockehurst Imposes his own will,which implies obligation and order.

STYLE LAB
Onomastics :
Onomastics is the study of names – their meaning and origins. Writers sometimes use it when
choosing the name of characters or places in the story to convey a particular message.
Focus on the name of the institution : Lowood. Explain how it indicates that it is a negative
place in Jane’s journey.
5. Sum up the situation using the following words and particularly insist on how Jane
is depreciated but also refusing her condition.

unfair – humiliated – scapegoat – religious – rebellious – condemn – false accusations -

courageous

Jane is courageous, because ,she is humiliated by Mr.blockehurtst. He accuses her of being a

rebellous girl in front of the whole school,which are false accusations,so that's pretty unfair.Jane is
very courageous,because she used to be the scapegoat of her own family and even far from them,
she is still punished for something she hadn't done on purpose ; she drops her slate because she
was afraid of him and was trying to hide from Mr.Blockehurst, he is very mean to Jane for ordering
her to stand for hours and to order everyone to avoid her all day.
6. Check your understanding : True or false? Justify.
a. Jane Eyre answers back to Mr Broklehurst.False.
b. The clergyman humiliates Jane in front of the whole school.True.
c. Religious principles are not taught at Lowood.False.
d. Jane feels both scared and outraged.True.

7. Watch the film adaptation of this passage. Compare the film and the text.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aRc4PPjTzA
Read chapters nine and ten.

1. As you read, select a passage (except the one that follows below) that you would like to
talk about with your classmates. Be ready to present it and explain why you have
chosen it.
Good example for my dossier friendship.
In chapter 9 ,when Jane decided to join Helen in her room,despite all the consequences
she will receive for her behaviour,she just did it ,when she hears that her only reliabe
friend will move soon to another place because, she was sick. She wanted to see her
one last time, they talked and cuddled for a moment. Then, they feel asleep together
but one didn't woke up...Thats such a beautiful friendship which ends in a very beautiful
way,that's why i choose this particular moment ; even when Helen was sick,Jane didn't
let her down,she choose to disobey and join her, that's show how Helen was precious
to Jane ; this passage enlight this short but true friendship.

2. Which of these statements are TRUE and which ones are FALSE ? Justify with a quote
from the text.
 a. An outbreak of typhus affects Lowood School killing many of its pupils.True
b. Janes enjoys greater freedom in the fine summer weather.True
c. She falls out with Helen Burns and finds a new friend.False,Helen died of tuberculosis.
d. Jane stays at Lowood until the age of 21.False
e. The reason she decides to leave Lowood is that Miss Temple has died.False,Miss
Temple got married.
f. Jane receives an offer of a job as a governess at Thornfiel.True.

g. She is visited by Mrs Reed who gives her news of her cousins.False,Bessie did.

3. Reread from ‘Spring drew on…’ to ‘which is now my task to advert’ . Chapter 9 pp.90-91

How does Charlotte Brontë use of this description of nature to create a change of
mood ? (think about the language used to describethe natural world and Jane’s
experience and emotions) Complete this table :

Point/detail Evidence Effect or explanation

1. Charlotte Brontë Ex. ‘cutting winds’ Personification makes
makes a contrast become ‘gentler the world seem less
between harsh winter breathings’ hostile and cruel to Jane.
and the softer spring.
2. The imagery of life Ex ; « “Skeleton” and The same place is explained
and death shows the “springs” by two different seasons,
difference between springs evokes a rebirth, new
winter and spring. life life with Jane that this
passage marks a new life for
her and a feeling of liberty
3. Jane enjoys the “Great pleasure and It contrast with the hardships
growing beauty around enjoyment” Jane had to bear at Lowood
her. whereas this evokes a radical
change and stand out ;
pleasure,enjoyment are
evoke.
This description of springs
brings of hopeful conviction.
This passage is a turning point in Jane's life because this is the first time she make a decision on
her own will ; she is goig to leave Lowood.Jane really need a change and she wants something
new. This passage start with the word ; « a new servitude » ; It emplies that she will do
something,she will take her life in her own hand. This is emphazises with the word
liberty,excitment,enjoyment,she does'nt want to life for liberty ,she is gaining her independance. At
the same time,this passage also highlight Jane's determination.

Extract 6 : chapter 10. From ‘A new servitude ! … Address,J.E., Post Office, Lowton,
---shire.’ p.102-103
‘A new servitude! There is something in that,’ I soliloquised (mentally, be it understood; I did
not talk aloud), ‘I know there is, because it does not sound too sweet; it is not like such
words as Liberty, Excitement, Enjoyment: delightful sounds truly; but no more than sounds
for me; and so hollow and fleeting that it is mere waste of time to listen to them. But
Servitude! That must be matter of fact. Any one may serve: I have served here eight years;
now all I want is to serve elsewhere. Can I not get so much of my own will? Is not the thing
feasible? Yes—yes—the end is not so difficult; if I had only a brain active enough to ferret
out the means of attaining it.’
I sat up in bed by way of arousing this said brain: it was a chilly night; I covered
my shoulders with a shawl, and then I proceeded TO THINK again with all my might.
‘What do I want? A new place, in a new house, amongst new faces, under new
circumstances: I want this because it is of no use wanting anything better. How do people
do to get a new place? They apply to friends, I suppose: I have no friends. There are many
others who have no friends, who must look about for themselves and be their own helpers;
and what is their resource?’
I could not tell: nothing answered me; I then ordered my brain to find a response,
and quickly. It worked and worked faster: I felt the pulses throb in my head and temples; but
for nearly an hour it worked in chaos; and no result came of its efforts. Feverish with vain
labour, I got up and took a turn in the room; undrew the curtain, noted a star or two,
shivered with cold, and again crept to bed.
A kind fairy, in my absence, had surely dropped the required suggestion on my
pillow; for as I lay down, it came quietly and naturally to my mind.—‘Those who want
situations advertise; you must advertise in the—shire Herald.’
‘How? I know nothing about advertising.’
Replies rose smooth and prompt now:-
‘You must enclose the advertisement and the money to pay for it under a cover
directed to the editor of the Herald; you must put it, the first opportunity you have, into the
post at Lowton; answers must be addressed to J.E., at the post-office there; you can go
and inquire in about a week after you send your letter, if any are come, and act
accordingly.’
This scheme I went over twice, thrice; it was then digested in my mind; I had it in a
clear practical form: I felt satisfied, and fell asleep.
With earliest day, I was up: I had my advertisement written, enclosed, and directed
before the bell rang to rouse the school; it ran thus:-
‘A young lady accustomed to tuition’ (had I not been a teacher two years?) ‘is
desirous of meeting with a situation in a private family where the children are under
fourteen (I thought that as I was barely eighteen, it would not do to undertake the guidance
of pupils nearer my own age). She is qualified to teach the usual branches of a good
English education, together with French, Drawing, and Music’ (in those days, reader, this
now narrow catalogue of accomplishments, would have been held tolerably
comprehensive). ‘Address, J.E., Post-office, Lowton,—shire.’

1. Take notes on Jane’s new plan. Be ready to explain.

 Jane wants to publish an announce of her seaching a new place to serve, she wants to be
the teacher to children under fourteen years ; she post his resume « under a cover directed
to the editor of the Herald » and when she got the oppurtunity she will give it at the post in
Lowton, and one week later she will go a to the post and see if anyone accept her
conditions,her announce.

2. Find a quote that shows that Jane is determined.

She wants to find the solution herself,she doesn't have friends so she knows that she
had to rely on her only. She repeats two times ; « Yes,yes » ; Can I not get so much of
my own will? Is not the thing feasible? Yes—yes » , that's underline her
determination,she convince herself, she ask herself questions, she uses
striving(s'efforce) to find the solution, she imagine all the solutions,answers to solve the
problem,she imagine different possibilities.

3. Fill in the chart with words and expressions belonging to the lexical fields of ‘freedom’
and ‘servitude’
Freedom : « Liberty, Excitement, Enjoyment: delightful sounds truly; but no more than
sounds for me », « Can I not get so much of my own will? » , « A new place, in a new
house ». she will act,do something ,she will take her life in her hand and take her
independance.
Servitude : « qualified to teach », «‘A new servitude! » , « Servitude! » « Any one may
serve: I have served here eight years; now all I want is to serve elsewhere ». She wants
to be free but she also wants to serve someone,to be useful.

4. Sum up the qualities put forward by Jane Eyre in her ad and explain what she expects
from this new project.
« accustomed to tuition’ », « qualified to teach the usual branches of a good English education,
together with French, Drawing, and Music' »;Jane put forward her competencies she gain from
Lowood. She expects from this new project to be able to see more of the country, she feel stuck in
the school and she don't wanna finish her days at Lowood, she wants to encounter new people, to
gain more money,etc... « desire of meeting » ; Jane put forward her determination too.

GRAMMAR LAB
Rhetorical questions :
 A rhetorical question is a question for which the person doesn’t really expect an
answer. They are usually present to draw the reader’s attention and emphasise a key
theme.
Pick out three rhetorical questions in this passage :Can I not get so much of my
own will? Is not the thing feasible?

Explain how C.Brontë used them to make us think about women’s condition at
the time.
– It shows that women didn't have many jobs possibilities.

– It shows that women could't make money for herself, they depend on their
husbands,fathers, etc...
– They have no possibilities to fend for herslef (=se débrouiller toute seule), to make
their own money ; no power of decision.Denied of free will (=libre-arbitre).

This is a way for Charlotte Bronte, to denounce women condtitions in that time.It shows her
concern about this situation,she wanted to be on an equal foot with mens.
5. Comment on Jane’s state of mind in the passage.
Jane seems to be excited,enthousiastic to the project of this new experience, but also
anxious to find the solution , determind to find the solution and to attein his goal. A bit
apprenhensive too.
6. Read Mrs Fairfax’s answer p.105 . What do we learn about her future position ?
Mr.Fairfax accpeted the cv, accepted Jane to be a governess and she will teach a only child
girl under ten years at Thornfield.
Read on … Learn more about the new steps in Jane’s journey. Carry on reading until
chapter 12.