Short Note on Lowood School
Jane Eyre is a notable literary work by Charlotte Brontë. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Jane Eyre.
Answer
Write a short note on Lowood School. [NU: 2014, 18, 20] ★★★
Charlotte Brontë (1816–1855) in “Jane Eyre” (1847) gives a strong picture of Lowood School. It is a charity school for poor girls. Life here is full of hunger, cold, and discipline. Yet Jane also learns values, patience, and strength.
Hard Conditions and Suffering: Lowood School is cold and harsh. Food is bad. The girls wear thin dresses in winter. Many become sick. Jane says,
“Our clothing was insufficient to protect us from the severe cold.”
Their meals are burnt or very poor. Life here shows the cruelty of charity schools in Victorian times.
Mr. Brocklehurst’s Harsh Rule: Mr. Brocklehurst controls the school. He is cruel and strict. He calls Jane a liar before all. He says,
“This girl is—a liar!”
He makes Jane feel shame and pain. He also forces girls to cut their hair and wear plain clothes. He believes punishing the body will save the soul. His rule makes the girls suffer both physically and mentally.
Friendship and Moral Growth: At Lowood, Jane meets Helen Burns and Miss Temple. Helen is patient and forgiving. Sometimes her nails are dirty. Sometimes her book is held wrongly. So, Miss Scatcherd often punishes Helen for these small mistakes. Yet Helen never gets angry. She tells Jane,
“Love your enemies; bless them that curse you.”
Miss Temple is kind and fair. She comforts Jane. These friendships help Jane learn patience, faith, and self-respect. Lowood, though full of suffering, also gives Jane moral education and courage.
Lowood School is a place of both pain and growth. It shows hunger, cold, and harsh discipline. Yet it also gives Jane friendship, faith, and inner strength. Charlotte Brontë shows how even in suffering, childhood lessons shape the whole life.