Elucidate Charlotte Brontë’s statement of childhood in Jane Eyre

Answer

Elucidate Charlotte Brontë’s statement of childhood in Jane Eyre.

Charlotte Brontë (1816–1855) gives a very powerful picture of childhood in “Jane Eyre” (1847). She shows the life of a poor, orphaned child in a hard world. Jane’s childhood is full of pain, loneliness, and hunger for love. Yet it is also full of courage, learning, and growth. Through Jane, Brontë shows how childhood shapes the whole life of a person.

Childhood of Suffering and Loneliness: Jane’s early life at Gateshead is full of pain. She has no parents. She lives with her aunt, Mrs. Reed. But Mrs. Reed hates her. Her cousins Georgiana, Eliza, and John bully her. John Reed beats her. Jane says, 

“You are like a murderer—you are like a slave-driver—you are like the Roman emperors!”.

This shows her anger and pain. Childhood here is not a time of joy. It is a time of cruelty and isolation. Jane feels unloved and unwanted. Charlotte shows how society treats orphans without kindness.

Red-Room- Symbol of Fear and Oppression: The Red-Room is a strong picture of a child’s fear. One day, John Reed came into the drawing-room. He insulted Jane, calling her “a dependent” and “a beggar.” Then he threw a heavy book at her, hurting her. Jane, for the first time, defended herself and attacked him back. So, Jane is locked in the Red Room as punishment by Mrs. Reed. It is the room where her uncle, Mr. Reed, died. She believes she sees his ghost. She faints from terror. She says, 

“Unjust!—Unjust!”.

This moment shows how children suffer both physically and mentally. Charlotte uses this to show how children are treated without care. It reflects the cruelty of Victorian families towards weak dependents.

Lowood School- Childhood under Harsh Discipline: Jane is sent to Lowood School. The conditions are terrible. The building is cold. The food is poor. Teachers are cruel. Mr. Brocklehurst insults Jane. He calls her a liar in front of everyone. The girls look tired and