Religion and Jane's Search for God

             In Jane Eyre, religion is embraced through a series of spiritual explorations. Bronte portrays Jane's character and zest for religion by revealing Jane's transitions from Gateshead to Lowood, Lowood to Thornfield, and Thornfield to Moor House. Jane ultimately rejects everyone of these organized styles of worship. However, that does not mean that she rejects all their beliefs. She is forever changed by each experience and they have helped mold her view on religion and her relationship with God. Each location plays a significant role in the development of Jane's perspective on religion. Jane struggles to acquire true faith in God, which will help her overcome the obstacles of her nomadic life.
             Within Jane Eyre, Bronte shows a feeling of anti-Catholicism through the character of Jane's cousin, Eliza Reed. The novel portrays Eliza as a picture of rigidity:
             Two young ladies appeared before me; one very tall, almost as tall as Miss Ingram,--very thin too, with a sallow face and severe mien. There was something ascetic in her look, which was augmented by the extreme plainness of a straight-skirted, black, stuff dress, a starched linen collar, hair combed away from the temples, and the nun-like ornament of a string of ebony beads and a crucifix. (Bronte 228)
             Eliza had certainly taken on the ritualistic side of Catholicism. (Rife) She is described as a busy person, but "it was difficult to say what she did: or rather, to discover any result of her diligence" (Bronte 234). Bronte had the same feelings toward the Catholic faith. Charlotte and many other English Protestants viewed Catholics as people who worshipped idols diligently, yet did not fulfill any true Christian aspect of the faith (Rife).
             Eliza Reed fits into the Catholic rigidity of religion that Bronte portrays. In the novel Eliza tells Jane that she will leave once her mother passes away. She says that she will "execute a long cherished project; seek a retirement wh...

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Religion and Jane's Search for God. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 22:41, May 19, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/27506.html