Society

The ranking of class and social status is what I’ve learned from Jane Eyre, because she didn’t let it determine her future as an adult. Instead, she learned how to manage her money and use it wisely. She also got in contact with her inner self, because she didn’t let money decide what type of person she was going to be.

While growing up, Jane did not have a pleasant life as a child. She dealt with many hardships from the Reed's Family and when she left to go to school at Lowood too. As a child, she was told her status was "less than a servant", by Miss Abbot(pg.11). She was also treated badly and lost the only friend she ever had. When Jane was residing in the Reed's house at Gateshead Hall, she was not treated the same as her cousins: John, Eliza, and Georgiana. Mrs. Reed did not include her in any of the family affairs, such as: taking pictures, being in family portraits, and participating in carriage rides. In Mrs. Reed's eyes, Jane was not classified or worthy enough to be apart of the events and that was known throughout Gateshead Hall. Although Jane tried to do the right thing by her aunt, who was a ruffian, she was eager to let her know how she really felt on the inside. Jane has had her name dragged in the dirt by Mrs. Reed, which has caused her reputation and her image to be abased,disowned and dishonored. Lowood was also a place where Jane spent most of her life at trying to find herself. When Jane was first introduced to Lowood, she had a hard time adapting to the new environment and her new home. Jane was classified as an orphan because her parents had died and as she was telling Mr. Rochester, my uncles' wife "cast me off", "because I was poor, and burdensome, and she didn't like me."(pg.226,227). Since Jane's image had been tarnished at Gateshead Hall, when she went to Lowood Mr. Brocklehurst introduced her as a "liar" to all of the students and staff by saying "...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, scrutinize 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!"(pg.66,67). At this point her status is beyond low because of her reputation. Although Jane's status at Lowood was low, she took advice from her friend Helen, which eventually brought her to the top of her class. As life continued to prevail, Jane was able to get a job at Lowood and then move to bigger and better things in life. She soon scored a job as a governess at the Thornfield estate and soon met the love of her life.



Money is not the key to all problems and you should not let it determine your life. As for Jane's so-called family: John, Eliza, Georgiana, and Mrs. Reed, they were controlled by money. They let it be the prime concern in their life . They also thought because they have a lot of money, everything was going to be okay. Having money is a good thing, but it's how you maintain yourself and how responsible you are with it. As children, John, Eliza, and Georgiana were treated better than Jane, because they were rich. Mrs. Reed also let money raise her children. They had no responsibility as children, and they were also spoiled by luxurious things. Everything that they had was better than Jane's, they were living the life of luxury. For some people, this lifestyle can become addictive because they have the need to want more and more of everything. Although they went to a better school than Jane, she came out on top when they became older. Jane's life may have been hard to bear at first, but now everything is good, because she is getting married, she's educated, and she doesn't have to worry about being content in a stable environment. If we reflect on her families life, it will be a big disappointment because all of them are having a hard time at this point. When Jane was going to back to Gateshead Hall to see Mrs.Reed for her final days, she was told by Robert, "Mr. John died yesterday was a week, at his chambers in London"(pg.224)... "he ruined his health and hesitate amongst the worst men and the worst women. He got into debt and into jail: his mother helped him out twice, but as soon as he was free he returned to his old companions and habits. His head was not strong: the knaves he lived amongst fooled him beyond anything ever heard. He came down to Gateshead about three weeks ago and wanted missis to give up all to him. Missis refused: her means have long been much reduced by his extravagance; so he went back again, and the next news was that he was dead. How he died, God knows!--they say he killed himself"( 225). Mrs. Reed took a grudge against Jane to her grave. She hid a letter from Jane that her uncle had sent, "It said that he was well-off money wise, but he had no heir. He wanted to adopt Jane. This would have been a wonderful opportunity for Jane, but Mrs. Reed never gave her the letter..." said by Richard on November 13,2009 in the blog titled "Forgive". One blogger inferred that *his was posted by Lizette on November 13,2009 in her blog titled "The Letter". Jane had forgiven Mrs. Reed for everything that she had put her through. Edwardo said "I honestly hate the fact that Jane has forgiven her". His blog was titled "Forgive and forget" on November 13,2009. Eliza and Georgiana were just not getting along as sisters were supposed to. Eliza told her sister "After my mother's death, I wash my hands of you: from the day her coffin is carried to the vault in Gateshead Church, you and I will be as separate as if we had never known each other."(pg.240) As far as their lives they were not happy or morally satisfied with themselves.

All of this information from Jane relates to me, because I'm not rich and I'm not apart of the upper class society. Although this may be true, I'm getting the same education and the same opportunity as most upper class children my age by going g to The Chinquapin School. The Chinquapin School is giving me a chance to do more and experience deep intensive learning. Just like Jane, my life hasn't always been a piece of cake, but I make the best of it because I know that one day I will be able to share my experience with my offspring and offer them a good life. Therefore, as a result I feel that it doesn't matter if your rich or poor because if your determined to control your life you can make the best out of it and be successful.