chapters 5-10

These are the chapters where, to me, the book seems to become easier to read as the plot begins to flow more and also where I am being to get used to Bronte’s style of writing. In these 5 chapters the plot focuses on Jane’s time at Lowood. This is a school that Mrs. Reed has sent Jane to, in order to get her ‘out of the way’. Chapter 5 begins with her journey to Lowood. This is where Jane seems to feel a sense of freedom that she is getting away from this secluded and unhappy lifestyle she has been forced to live. During the next few chapters we see Jane beginning to understand the way the world works. She beings to learn social skills, and manages to make a close friend. However in chapter 9, this friend unfortunately dies. Following this chapter 10, just seems to be filling in the gaps between this part of Jane’s life and what she thinks is the next part of importance. It recalls how she stayed at Lowood for another eight years, to of them as a teacher. It concludes with her choosing to change the course her life is taking and leaving Lowood.

Many new characters enter and exit the book in these few chapters. Jane obviously continues to remain the central character, and even though she is recalling her story from later in life you can see how much she grows from the experiences she has and her environment. She begins to learn about compassion, and in turn becomes totally depended on it. It seems that she now thinks that she needs this to survive. One of the key characters here is Helen Burns. This is the closest friend Jane has at Lowood, and we learn from Jane that she is a very compassionate person and also very intelligent and religious. She has a lot of faith in god, and this rubs off on Jane in that she almost sees that there must be something of great importance there, if it means someone can stay so calm whilst facing death. Another wonderful character introduced is Miss Temple. Though Jane’s eyes we create connotations of this wonderfully compassionate and intelligent woman. She cares for those whom are ill in chapter 9, and earlier on in the book overrules Mr. Brockelhurst’s rules and gives the orders for the hungry pupils to be fed. Jane also becomes really close to her and this is emphasized in chapter 10 where Jane decides she can no longer stay at the college once she has left. Again, Mr. Brockelhurst is shown to be an uncaring and harsh man. His Christianity is portrayed so differently from Helens that you can see the to far ends of the spectrum, this only creates more loathing for Mr. B. In the readers eyes and a more welcome emotion towards Helen.
One of the main themes is the emotional growth of Jane. Throughout the chapters Jane becomes more aware of her action and other peoples. Doing this she begins to change herself as to fit in. also the theme of things coming to an end played a part especially in the last few chapters. With many of the characters leaving the story, including Miss temple, and Helen as she dies. Also one part of Jane’s life comes to an end when she decides to leave Lowood.