Chapter 10

People:

• Miss Gryce
• Reverend Mr. Nasmyth
• Mrs. Fairfax

How does Miss Gryce distract Jane?
-Miss Gryce distracts Jane as she wants to read the letter she received from Mrs. Fairfax. Unfortunately, Miss Gryce continues to make conversation with Jane which only results in Jane becoming more eagar to read the letter's contents.

Places:

1. Lowood Institution:  It is a place of agitation for Jane since she spent many years there.  She seldom left the school.  It is a place of stability for her.  However, she wants change so she is restless there.

      2.Post Office:  The post office is her means of escape.  It is also a place of hope.  When she goes
         there she is hopeful that she will receive a letter that will call her away from the school.
       3.Doorway of the Institution:  This is where she says goodbye to Bessie.  The doorways symbolizes
          a new passage in her life.  She is about to leave behind the school and her connection to Bessie.

Summary:

• The chapter opens with Jane narrating eight years later into her life. She then tells the story of her life at Lowood during those eight years. The illnesses that the girls got during the winter had died and was brought to the attention, getting Mr. Brocklehurst fired for this act of cruelty. Miss Temple then becomes the headmistress of Lowood with Mr. Brocklehurst demoted to being the Treasurer. Of those eight years, Jane stays at Lowood as a student for six years and for the remaining two, is a teacher. During this time, Miss Temple gets married to a reverend and leaves Lowood. After Miss Temple leaves, Jane desires to get out of the school for it no longer interests her. Jane makes a plan to leave Lowood and places an ad in the newspaper as a tutor or governess. She goes into town to check up on her ad and recieves one letter. The letter is from Mrs. Fairfax who accepts her ad to become a governess at Thornfield. Before she leaves for Thornfield, Jane recieves a visit from Bessie. She tells Jane that ever since she had leave Gateshead Hall, the Reeds have become a dysfunctional family. She also tells her that she had a visitor at Gateshead who turned out to be her uncle seven years ago.

Personal Reaction:
1.)I really want to know everyone's opinion on this: Do you think that everything that has happened to the Reeds in Jane's abscence, just desserts? Did they deserve less or worse?

• (Ryan): Yes, I do believe it was "just deserts" because they deserve what they got for being such malevolent people to Jane Eyre. They basically got what they deserved. also, they should have gotten worse because none of those Reeds were good people. I think they got off the hook pretty easy.  
• I believe they deserved their situations in life.  I wonder if they realize their own faults without Jane there to be blamed.  I think their fortune should reflect their behavior.  Since they behaved poorly, I think it is acceptable that they were punished for it under the circumstances.(Nicole)

2.)The book quickly skips over the next eight years in this chapter, do you think that the author should have done this, or would you rather of had more explanation on Jane's time at Lowood? Why?

• (Ryan):  I think the author should have at least provided more background on what happened to Jane between those years so we have a better understanding of her upbringing. Now it just leaves us guessing and ambiguous and putting pieces of the puzzle together to figure out Why Jane has turned out the way she is.
• I would have liked to hear about how life was like without Helen.  However, I do find it necessary that she skipped over many years of Jane's life.  I would not want to read a long story with chapters that were irrelevant.  Although I may have a curiosity at the end of reading the book as to what happened in those not described years. (Nicole)

Vocabulary:
"...and costumes, and preferences, and antipathies: such was what i knew of existence."

•  Antipathies: a deep-seated feeling of dislike; aversion.

"I was debarrassed of interruption; my half-effaced thought instantly revived"

•  Debarrassed: exclude or prohibit(someone) officially from doing something.

Can I not get so much of my own will! Is not the thing feasible!"

•  Feasible: possible to do easily or conveniently. 

"it came to an end at last, however, like all sublunary things"

•  Sublunary: belonging to this world as contrasted with a better or more spiritual one.

"that might or might not be awaiting me at the little burgh whither I was bound"

•  Burgh: a borough or chartered town. 

"My ostensible errand on this occasion was to get measured for a pair of shoes"

•  Ostensible: stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily true. 

"the heavy supper she had eaten produced a soporific effect" 

• Soporific: tending to induce drowsiness or sleep. 

"She obligingly consented to act as mediatrix in the matter"

•  Mediatrix: A women who is a mediator.

"And then his uncles wanted him to be a barrister, and study the law"

•  Barrister: a lawyer entitled to practice as an advocate, particularly in the higher courts.

"You are genteel enough: you look like a lady, and it is much as i ever expected of you"

•  Genteel: polite, refined, or respectable, often in an affected or ostentatious way.

Chapter 10

• People: Gloria
• Places: Nicole
• Summary: Monica
• Personal Reaction: Rebecca
• Vocabulary: Ryan

Chapter 9

People:

• Mary Ann Wilson: She is a companion of Jane.  She spends time with Jane while Helen is sick.  She is a curious girl. She is older than Jane.
• Helen Burns:She is Jane's friend.  She eventually dies from a sickness.  She is a mentor of Jane.

What was Helen Burns's last lesson to Jane as a mentor?
-Through Helen, Jane learned about the grief from the loss of a friend.  She lacked experience in grieving for someone's death.

Places:

1. Lowood - transitions from winter to spring

• Symbolic: The snow is melting away - revealing something? The illnesses of winter?
• It is beautiful outside of the school but inside is full of sickness.

      2.  Miss Temple's room

• Helen has been in her room sick, lying down
• Jane sleeps with Helen that night

Summary:

• It is spring time and the school is stricken with typhus (i am guessing cause they never really mention it and that disease was common at that time), the same ailment that killed Jane's parents. The fact that Jane remains healthy and continues to flourish at school shows how impervious she has become in her life and that her family legacy does not precede her. She makes a new friend, Mary Ann Wilson and everything seems to go happily that is until she discovers what is wrong with Helen. Helen is Dying, not from typhus or anything, but physically wasting way. Hoping to see Helen after her long stay in Mrs. Temple's room, Jane sneaks in as all other girls are in bed to give comfort in Helen's last few hours. They fall asleep and at some point in the night, and Helen passes on. The fact that this happened in spring symbolized rebirth and life, though one life was just lost, a new one can continue without pain, in heaven.

Personal Reaction:

1. How will Jane manage now that Helen has passed?

• Most likely Jane will not find another friend like Helen. I believe she at first might struggle at the lost of a dear friend but eventually come out fine because Helen has influenced her to become a better person. in the beginning Jane was just negative about everything and could not bear to see what Helen was enduring even though it was not her going through it.(Ryan)
• I think Jane will appreciate what she has learned from Helen.  I think she will manage without Helen although she will experience some grief.(Nicole)

    2.  How was Helen influenced Jane as a person and the way she views aspects of life?

• Helen has made Jane a better person and positively changed her views of how to approach certain situations in life.(Ryan)
• I believe Helen gave her a new perspective on life.  I think Jane learned about self-discipline through her relationship with Helen since Helen modeled self-control. Helen accepted her punishments and hardships unlike Jane. (Nicole)

Vocabulary:

1. "Suggested the thought that Hope traversed them at night"
• Traversed: something that crosses or lies across; obstacle
2. "Rich in verdure and shadow"
• Verdure: the greenness of growing vegetation
3. "I was not reprimanded for leaving my bed"
• Reprimand: a severe or formal reproof
4. "An unsnuffed candle burnt dimly on the table"
• Unsnuffed: the part of the candlestick that isn't charred
5. "My fear was instantly dissipated"
• Dissipated: given to or marked by dissipation; dissolute
6. "Indisposed to hesistate, and full of impatient impulses"
• Indisposed: slightly ill
7. "An odour of camphor and burnt vinegar warned me"
• Camphor: a tough gummy volatile aromatic crystaline compound
8. "It saw all around an unfathomed gulf"
• Unfathomed: not capable of being fathomed; immeasurable
9. "Evinced for me a quiet and faithful friendship"
• Evinced: to display clearly; reveal
10. "Sat at a distance under the veranda"
• Veranda: a usually roofed open gallery attached to the exterior of a building

Chapter 9

• People: Nicole
• Places: Monica
• Summary: Rebecca
• Personal Reaction: Ryan
• Vocabulary: Gloria

Chapter 8

  People:

• Jane
• Helen:Begins to develop a cough.

Is this a foreboding of something that will happen to her in the future?

• Miss Temple:She is not like the other teachers who are automatons while she openly shows her feelings
• Checks on Jane after she is humiliated
• Sees how Helen is feeling with her cough
• Mrs. Satcherd: Invades Helen's privacy and goes through her things
• She then scolds her and punishes Helen for being "messy" when she should not have gone through her things in the first place.

Places:

1.  Past five o'clock in Miss' Temples apartment with the fire burning and comfy couches

• Jane experiences complete humiliation after she passes out infront of the whole entire school. Instead of continuing the connotative memories, Miss  Temple encourages the girls to follow her to her apartment. where they can discuss things further. The author chooses this location because it is the only one without a horrible memory Jane had to experience in addition to showing the intimate relationship Miss Temple has with Jane.

Summary:

• The day after Mr. Brocklehurst's visit and humiliation of Jane, she becomes apprehensive that her reputation is now ruined and teachers and students will not treat her the same. Fortunately, that does not become the case when Miss Temple has a very positive discussion with her and Helen. Miss Temple confirms with Mr Lloyd about Jane's characteristics and her good reputation is restored. Jane then decided that she will focus on her studies and she excels in it. The Professor interpretation I observed is from the chapter called "is that a symbol", i believe Helen symbolizes as the foil for Jane. She is the complete opposite of Jane is that she is patient and positive and euphemistic about aspects of life. 

Personal Reaction:

1. Why is it that Jane is so willing to put herself through harm just to receive at least a small amount of attention or care?
• Because Jane received so little attention throughout her childhood, she was left full of eagerness and desire for a chance for a little love. She would do virtually anything to get this from Helen or Miss Temple. What I don't think Jane understands is that those such as Helen and Miss Temple sincerely care for and she does not have to prove her thankfulness for it.  (Gloria)
• (Ryan): I do not think much that she is putting herself through harms way or such, I believe she is going through all those troubles because she does not want to have a bad reputation in school. Her life with the Reeds have been anything but joyful or positive; so she just wants her life to be much improved from her last.
• I would not say that she is necessarily wanting to be harmed.  I do think she wants attention since she has been neglected.  I think in her environment at Lowood Institution she learns that people have the capacity to care for her.  (Nicole)
2. Why do you think that Helen is able to withstand her punishment so quietly and yet Jane is left in upset and in tears just from watching?

• I think because Helen does have her Christian faith instilled in her, she is more accepting of the consequences of her actions. Jane, on the other hand, views the punishment as cruel and as a means of being ostracized from the rest of the students.  (Gloria)
• (Ryan): Helen is much more understanding and patient than Jane. She is also more euphemistic as well, she sees negativity as a challenge to better herself unlike Jane who takes it as an insult or such. There is a reason for that though, her experiences with the Reed's have caused her to be this way.  
• I think Jane is troubled by Helen's punishment since the punishment went against her values.  She believed Helen was innocent.  She was unaccustomed to seeing an innocent person being punished since she always thought her cousins deserved punishment.  Therefore, the punishment created a new and uncomfortable perspective for Jane.(Nicole) 

Vocabulary:

1.)"and all were gone to the refectory for tea"(83)

• refectory: room for meals

2.)"I sank prostrate with my face to the ground"(83)

• prostrate:lying down

3.)"you would have found enemies, declared or covert"(84)

• covert:secret

4.)"we reposed in silence"(85)

• reposed:rested

5.)"there was an alloy of inexpressible sadness"(85)

• alloy:mixture

6.)"I infused into the narrative far less of gall"(87)

• gall: bitterness

7.)"my wild supplication for pardon"(87)

• supplication:to beg humbly

8.)"you shall be publicly cleared from every imputation"(87)

• imputation:something done

9.)"we satisfied our famished appetites on the delicate fare"(89)

• fare:food

10.)"my organ of veneration expanding"(90)

• veneration:revere

Chapter 8

• People: Monica
• Places: Rebecca
• Summary: Ryan
• Personal Reaction: Gloria
• Vocabulary: Nicole

Chapter 7

Places:

1. How is the atmosphere different in Lowood when Mr. Brocklehurst comes around?

• The school becomes more strict than it already is, everybody has to be on their best behavior or face the consequence. Everybody is condescended and fearful of the "man".

     2.Why is the weather snowy and difficult to be outside the day Mr. Brocklehurst comes to visit?

• The weather is used as a foreshadow for an event soon to come. That event turns out to be the visitation of the head master, the one people at the school feared, Mr.Brocklehurst. The weather snowing and it being so cold characterizes what kind of person Brocklehurst is.

Summary:

• Jane is beginning to adjust to life at Lowood and thinks it to be okay since she is around other children that aren't constantly mean to her. She feels as if she is becoming accepted and has even made a new friend, Helen. This all changes when Mr. Brocklehurst returns. His presence makes Lowood even colder and there are more rules that are enforced. Jane is also worried about Mr. Brocklehurst's promise to Mrs. Reed about informing everyone that Jane is a liar. This unfortunately comes true when Jane accidentally drops her slate in class. She is forced to sit on a chair in front of the class while Brocklehurst tells everyone what a horrible child she is. Jane is painfully embarrassed and saddened by this. However, her present state is made slightly better as Helen smiles at Jane every time she sees her.
• Professor interpretation: Mr. Brocklehurst and his family's nice attire show that they are superficial and have no substance. They may all look nice on their exterior, but internally they are cold and ugly.

Personal Reactions:
1.)What was your reaction towards Mr. Brocklehurst at the ironic part when his richly dressed family walks in after his lecture on how the orphans should appear simple?

• I thought it showed a flawed Brocklehurst.  He allows his family to dress nicely.  It shows his selfishness.  He does not treat the girls as kindly as his family. (Nicole)
• I think it shows Mr. Brocklehurst as being sort of two-faced as he is not abiding by the standards he is setting for the girls. He wants to keep them in line and only wants to keep them feeling a sense of inferiority in life.  (Gloria)

2.)In your opinion, what punishment was worst: being locked up in the red-room or standing on the stool in front of peers?

• I thought being on the stool was the worst punishment since there were many witnesses of the event.  I thought it would be highly embarrassing. (Nicole)
• I think for Jane the public punishment was worse considering she was desperate to fit in and be liked. This could make her feel like she would be in the same type of situation as when she was at Gateshead.  (Gloria)

Vocabulary:

1. "...I have swallowed the remainder with an accompaniment of secret tears, forced from me by the exigency of hunger".
• exigency: n. an urgent need or demand.
2. "We had to walk two miles to Brocklebridge Church, where our patron officiated".
• officiated: v. act as an official in charge of something
3. "...in the same penurious proportion observed in our ordinary meals..."
• penurious: adj. extremely poor, poverty-stricken
4. "...it was the hebdomadal treat to which we all looked forward..."
• hebdomadal: adj. weekly (used esp. of organizations that meet weekly)
5. "I generally contrived to reserve a moiety of this bounteous repast for myself..."
• moiety: n. each of two parts into which a thing is or can be divided.
6. "...too well I remembered the perfidious hints given by Mrs. Reed about my disposition..."
• perfidious: adj. decietful and untrustworthy.

Chapter 7

• People: Rebecca
• Places: Ryan
• Summary: Gloria
• Personal Reaction: Nicole
• Vocabulary: Monica

Chapter 6

People:

• Helen Burns

Distinguish Helen Burns from Jane Eyre, and why is Jane so fond of her?
- Helen Burns is able to take criticism well is patient unlike Jane. She becomes fond of her because of how intelligence and her ability to answer almost every question thrown at her by the teachers.
Summary:
Jane tries to familiarize herself with the routine and expectations of the school.  One day, Jane observes Helen Burns being punished.  Jane is puzzled on why Helen is able to withstand the punishment inflicted by Miss Scratcherd.  Jane does not believe Helen should have been punished since she was an attentive student.  Helen later explains to Jane that she felt she deserved the punishment.  She accepts the criticism her teachers have towards her.  She is tolerant of punishment, because she believes it is christlike to accept punishment.  Helen fits the characteristics of a mentor as described in How to Read Like a Professor, because she gives Jane insight on how one should behave as Jane journeys into adulthood.
Personal Reaction:

1. What are your opinions about the character of Helen Burns? What do you think about her beliefs?

• The character of Helen Burns is one that contrasts from the previous figures that we have been introduced to this far in the novel. Her beliefs are the exact opposite to that of Jane, which is exactly why she finds her intriguing. Her intellectual responses to Jane's questions provide insight to our main character that she has not thought of before. (Monica)
• (Ryan): Other than Jane, Helen is the character i favor most in thee story so far. She is intelligent and takes criticism to better herself. She works hard and does not perceive the criticism thrown at her like Jane does, which is negatively, she just looks at it positively and like an advice to improve her skills and herself as a person. I think her beliefs is one that Jane should learn from if she ever wants to be happy in the story.
• In my opinion, Helen Burns is a girl that is mature for her age.  She is willing to learn.  I think her beliefs are too passive.  I think her beliefs greatly contrasts with Jane's beliefs.  I think she is a balance to the opinion of how one should behave. (Nicole)

     2.  What do you think is significant about Helen being the first student at Lowood that Jane   communicates with? What are your predictions for their relationship in the future?

• As one of Jane's only friends at Lowood, I can see their relationship developing even further, possibly becoming best friends. The interaction between the two is a foreboding that Helen's beliefs and words will influence Jane's mindset and actions in the future. (Monica)
• (Ryan): The significance is Helen will serve as you can say a "stepping stone" for Jane for how she should be and the figure she should strive to become so she will be successful in the school. Helen will serve as a mentor for Jane and they will become the best of friends and Jane will learn much from her that will make her a better person, mentally and physically.
• I think it is significant that Jane befriends Helen since she can learn from her.  I believe Jane is attracted to Helen, because Helen is labelled as a naughty child like herself.  I think she is also curious about Helens reasoning towards behavior.  I think she will serve as a person Jane will treasure. (Nicole)

Vocabulary:

 “The animadversions or commendations of Miss Scatcherd on the performance”

• Animadversions:  Criticism or censure

 “There were sundry questions about tonnage”

• Sundry: Of various kinds; several.

 “And without being told unloosened her pinafore”

• Pinafore:Sleeveless garment worn as an apron

 “A am, as Miss Scatcherd said, Satternly”

• Satternly: untidy and dirty through habitual neglect

 “That even her expostulations, so mild, so rational”

• Expostulation: To reason earnestly with someone in an effort to dissuade or correct;   remonstrate.

 “and collecting all that she says with assiduity”

• Assiduity:  Persistent application or diligence; unflagging effort”

 “With this cumbrous frame of flesh”

• Cumbrous: archaic way of saying cumbersome

 “Pale human soul to brighten the seraph”

• Seraph: A celestial being having three pairs of wings

 “unavailing and impotent anger”

• Unavailing: ineffectual or useless

 “The ruddy gloaming”

• Ruddy: Having a Healthy Reddish color

Chapter 6

• People: Ryan
• Places: Gloria
• Summary: Nicole
• Personal Reaction: Monica
• Vocabulary: Rebecca

Chapter 5

People:

• Miss Temple
• Miss Miller
• Miss Smith
• Miss Scatcherd
• Madame Pierrot

How do Miss Miller and Miss Temple differ in their dispositions?

- Miss Miller seems to be strict in a way, but not so much as to cause the children to grow a dislike for her. Miss Miller is simply very orderly and prompt. Miss Temple on the other hand demands attention as she is the superintendent of the school. Nevertheless, she is very kind and has a genuine concern and interest for all of the children in the school unlike Mr. Brocklehurst.Places:

1. Gateshead: What is Gateshead to Jane? 

• It is Jane's first home.  It was not a pleasant place due to the presence of her family there, but Jane was well provided for there.

      2.  Lowood Institution:  How well does Jane know Lowood Institution? Who else lives there?  
          Describe the up keeping of the school.

•  It is an unfamiliar place to Jane.  She tries to familiarize herself with the school, because she is going to live there.  Many girls that lost at least one parent lives there.  There are also staff members of the school that live there.  The girls are not well cared for there.  They are not given an adequate amount of food.

       3.Garden of Lowood Institution: Describe what it is like outside the school.

•   The weather is miserable. The girls at the school do not like staying outside very long, because the cold weather is unbearable.  The garden is not very pretty in the winter due to the storms.

Summary:

• The day for Jane to leave Gateshead Hall to Lowood has finally arrived. She was given stict orders by Mrs. Reed the night before not to disturb anyone when she left. The only one in the household awake is Bessie who helps her to get ready and feeds her breakfast, which she cannot eat because of her excitement. Bessie takes Jane to the porter lodge where she is taken by a coach fifty miles away to Lowood. When Jane arrives, she is greeted by Miss Miller, one of the teachers at Lowood. She is then taken by Miss Temple to a hall where the girls of the school are studying. Older girls called "monitors" are instructed to collect the books for the girls so that they can eat dinner which consists of water and "thin oaten cakes". When they go to bed that night, Jane shares a bed with Miss Miller. The next morning, they study math and are given burned porrige for breakfast. At lunch, in order to compensate for the burned porrige, Miss Temple gives the girls some bread and cheese. Later on, Jane learns that Lowood is a school for orphans and that Mr. Brocklehurst is the head of the school.  Helen's last name is "Burns" which is symbolic for light. Later on we learn that Helen's words intrigue Jane and enlighten her, influencing her mindset and actions.

Vocabulary:

1. "my trunk was hoisted up; I was taken from Bessie's neck" 

• Hoisted: raise by means of ropes and pulleys. 

       2. "as it waned into dusk, I began to feel that we were getting very far indeed from Gateshead" 

• Waned: have a progressively smaller part of its visible surface illuminated.

       3. "Lulled by the sound, I at last dropped asleep" 

• Lulled: calm or send to sleep, typically with soothing sounds or movements.

       4. "The indefatigable bell now sounded for the fourth time:"

•   Indefatigable: (of a person or their efforts) persisting tirelessly.

        5. "I was now nearly sick from inanition, having taken so little the day before. 

• Inanition: lack of mental or spiritual vigor and enthusiasm.

        6."...the dark one not a little fierce, the foreigner harsh and grotesque" 

• Grotesque: comically or repulsively ugly or distorted.

        7."I suppose i have a considerable organ of veneration"

• Veneration: great respect and reverence.

         8."...and a fine penciling of long lashes round, relieved the whiteness of her large front"

•   Penciling: an antibiotic or group of antibiotics produced naturally by certain blue molds.

         9. "though of a frivolous and childish kind"

•   Frivolous: not having any serious purpose or value.

         10."whence rose a strong steam redolent of rancid fat.

•   Redolent: strongly reminiscent of suggestive of (something).  

Personal Reaction:
Do you think that Jane's antagonistic behavior in the previous chapter will lead to further struggles between Mr. Brockelhurst as she spends the rest of her adolescence at Lowood?

• (Ryan): Her misbehavior to Mr. Brocklehurst is a foreshadow that the two will not have such a great relationship; and somewhere down the road they will have some kind of altercation. But I do not believe Jane will struggle much in Lowood because of Mr. Brocklehurst.
• I think Jane will be a target at the school.  I think Mr Brocklehurst's attitude towards Jane will prove to be tough on her.  I believe he will not make her time at the school pleasant. (Nicole)

On pages 61-62, Jane is witnessing the punishment of girls who misbehave at school.. Why is she so bewildered by the  older girl's stern expression and acceptance of her punishment when she has experienced worst in Gateshead?

• (Ryan): Jane is probably bewildered because she thought she escaped this kind of environment. She is apprehensive that the brutal treatment she endured in the Reed's house might not be done after all and she has not escaped it. She is also bewildered that these girls are just taking the punishment and not doing anything about it.
• Jane is a passionate child.  She expresses her emotions when she feels there is no justice in the matter.  She is not accustomed to seeing withheld emotions since her family expressed what they felt.  If her family suppressed their feelings, she probably would not have been abused.  (Nicole)

Chapter 5

• People: Gloria
• Places: Nicole
• Summary: Monica
• Personal Reaction: Rebecca
• Vocabulary: Ryan

Chapter 4

People:

• Eliza: She is the cousin of Jane.  She speaks very little to Jane after the incident in the red-room.  She is protective of her money.
• Georgiana:She is also a cousin of Jane. Like Eliza, she speaks little to Jane after the incident in the red-room.
• John:  He is the cousin of Jane.  He taunts Jane by creating lies that she is misbehaving.
• Mrs Reed: She is the stout aunt and guardian of Jane.  She does not like Jane's company.  She is dedicated in keeping her promise to her deceased husband.
• Bessie:  She is a servant.  She is a pretty young woman.  She often scolds Jane.  She is the most pleasant person Jane associates with.
• Mr. Brocklehurst: He is a tall gentleman.  He represents Lowood School.  He is a father and husband.  He despises Jane for her attitude.  He is a devout Christian.

What does Mr. Brocklehurst think of naughty little girls like Jane?
-He pities badly behaved girls, because he believes they will end up in the fiery pit of hell.  He labels Jane as a disobedient child.  He says she is in jeopardy of going to hell.  He suggests that she repent.



Places:

1. How is Lowood described?

• Lowood is described as a place where Christian beliefs and morals are taken very seriously. The appearance of the girls are plain and quiet. "Plain fare, simple attire, unsophisticated accommodations, hardy and active habits: such is the order of the day in the house and its inhabitants".

Summary:

• After the discussion Mr. Lloyd has with Jane about possibly sending her away to school, Mrs. Reed invites the headmaster to interview Jane for his school for orphaned girls in Lowood. Mr, Brocklehurst is very stern in his questions to Jane, but is startled by her responses about religion. She says that to her psalms remain uninteresting, and he therefore believes she has a wicked heart. By admitting her to his school he will be able to change her beliefs and therefore save another child of God from hell. Once the meeting is over Mrs. Reed does nothing but tell the headmaster everything that she believes is wrong with Jane, such as her tendency to lie compulsively and maintain a short fuse. At one point the criticism is to much for Jane to bear so she yells back at her aunt in an act of defense, all the while mentioning that the only time she would lie is to say that she loves her. After the dispute Bessie is the only one there to comfort her as always.This Chapter can take the form of two professor interpretations. For one thing Jane is beginning a quest for happiness away from her family and has already over come one obstacle by agreeing to leave. She has a reason to leave, a place to go and along the way will attain some form of self knowledge. The Abuse Jane receives from her family is reflective of the story of Cinderella. Mrs. Reed is evil and out to relieve her of the burden that is Jane, and her children treat her with the equal abuse she receives from their mother.

Personal Reaction:
1.)Why does Mrs. Reed express fear twice in this chapter?

• She expresses fear because one, Jane tells her that he uncle is coming to haunt her for not keeping her promise to treat Jane as one of her own. And two, Jane threaten Mrs. Reed that she will tell everybody at the school how she really is and how deceiving of a person she can be.(Ryan)
• Mrs. Reed is fearful of what her husband's impression would if he knew how she was raising Jane.  He might want her to be more pleasant towards Jane. Also, Mrs. Reed is concerned about her reputation.  She is afraid that Jane will spread rumors about her at school.  She thinks Jane might seek revenge on her after treating Jane miserably for many years. (Nicole)
• Not only is Mrs. Reed fearful of the accusations Jane is making about her, but she is also scared of Jane herself. I think all along Mrs. Reed knew about the courage and power Jane had inside of herself which is why she did everything she could to keep Jane feeling inferior. Now that Jane is aware of the power of her own voice, Mrs. Reed knows that she will no longer be able to control and manipulate her as she once did.  (Gloria) 

2.) What was your impression after Jane takes a stand against Mrs Reed?

• Jane feels something she has never felt before because she has never really stood up to Mrs. Reed. After telling her off, Jane feels like she has won a fight for the first time ever. She felt poison because she has never talked like that in her life.(Ryan)
• Jane is becoming bold.  She is seeking independence through her rebellion.  She may be rebelling against her aunt, because she knows her days are limited in Mrs. Reed's household.  Mrs. Reed is concerned about Jane's rebellious attitude since it may haunt her. (Nicole)
• I felt it was long coming consider the way Mrs. Reed treated Jane. All of the torture and degrading Jane endured could not have gone by unpunished. I was glad that she finally took a stand against the evil that is Mrs. Reed.  (Gloria)

Vocabulary:

1. "John thrust his tongue in his cheek whenever he saw me, and once attempted chastisement"
• Chastisement: to inflict punishment on (as by whipping)
2. "dressed out in thin muslin frocks and scarlet sashes"
• Muslin: a plain-woven sheer to coarse cotton fabric
3. "But she had a capricious and hasty temper"
• Capricious: governed or characterized by impulse, unpredictable, inconstant
4. "[Eliza] entrust it to her mother, at a usurious rate of interest--fifty or sixty percent" 
• Usurious: the lending of money with an interest charge for its use
5. "Miss Jane, take off your pinafore."
• Pinafore: a sleeveless usually low-necked garment fastened in the back and worn as an apron or dress
6. "He then gets two nuts in recompense for his infant piety."
• Piety: dutifulness in religion
7. "'I will indeed send her to school soon,' murmured Mrs. Reed, sotto voce"
• Sotto voce: under the breath; in an undertone
8. "Went out to walk in a part of the plantation which was quite sequestered"
• Sequestered: to set apart; segregate, seclude, withdraw
9. "Fain find nourishment for some less fiendish feeling than that of sombre indignation."
• Indignation: anger aroused by something unjust, unworthy, or mean
10. "I found no pleasure in the silent trees...the congealed relics of autumn"
• Congealed: to change from a fluid to a solid state by or as if by cold

Chapter 4

• People: Nicole
• Places: Monica
• Summary: Rebecca
• Personal Reaction: Ryan
• Vocabulary: Gloria

Chapter 3

People:

• Mr. Lloyd
• Jane's family

Is there a difference between Bessie's treatment of Jane and Abbot's treatment of Jane?

-Abbot acts as a stern woman towards Jane and prefers the other children. She talks lowly about Jane as if she is a bad child. When Abbot is around, Bessie acts superior to Jane because she should respect her elders, following Abbot's ways of being the adult in the situation. When her and Jane are alone however, Bessie expresses her kind side to Jane and there is an obvious sense of sympathy for her.
Places:

1. Why is Jane’s Room reflective of her own personality in this chapter?

• 
  After Jane’s experience in the Red room she is left to recuperate in the one location in that is her own, her room.  Only In the attendance of the apothecary and Bessie does she heal and find the truth about her parents. This independence in her room symbolizes how introverted Jane is accustomed to be, her only family has isolated her into loneliness so her room becomes a center of solitude.  The author chooses her room as her healing place because by her own will she will get better and no one else has ever been there to help.

Summary: 

• Upon waking up from being in the red-room, Jane finds herself in her room in the care of Mr. Lloyd an apothecary. Mr. Lloyd discusses with Jane her condition in the house and Jane does not miss out on her only chance to tell someone about her arduous life there. She tells him how unfairly and malevolently she is being treated and ultimately he suggests sending her to school. Additionally, Jane learns new knowledge about her parents. A professor interpretation is the character of Mr. Lloyd as a "Christ-like" figure because he is the the first to show some care for her in the story and he is a doctor, see the resemblance?

Personal Reaction:

1. Do you think it's ironic that Jane "should not like to belong to poor people" considering her own father was of an inferior class?
• Yes i think there is a great deal of irony in that. Jane did not want to live a beggar's life, and yet her life with her aunt and cousins may in some cases have been worse. She would rather put up with being both physically and emotionally abused by everyone in the household rather than live a possibly more happy and fulfilling life with a family that might actually care and love her. This shows how much one's home life influences their opinions as Jane prefers being miserable in a wealthy family than happy in a poor family. (Gloria)
• I do not think it is very ironic.  She had been raised by a wealthy family.  I think she is quite accustomed to the wealth.  Therefore, I think it is natural that she wants that stability. (Nicole)
• This question kind of confused me, only because Jane had never showned any indication of carrying about the class system or anything superficial. Those possesions and objects never affected her, soo to say that is is ironic she should not belong to poor people is similar to saying that  she belongs to something she doesn't know or care of. (Becca)
2. How do you think Jane felt as she was being treated kind by both Bessie and Mr. Lloyd while she was ill?
• I think she was initially mistaken by this unusual kindness as she had hardly ever received any in the Gateshead home. However unsure she was feeling towards it, she did quickly take advantage of everything it brought to her including the feeling of companionship as Jane wouldn't know if another opportunity such as this would ever arise again. For this time, she was treated at least at the same level as a servant. I also think this random kindness may have also left Jane alarmed as to the extremity of her condition and whether she was truly in danger of death.  (Gloria) 
• I think she appreciated their kindness.  She does not normally receive positive feedback so I think she was delighted by the change. (Nicole)
• My best guess is that she remained indifferent about the treatment at first, (unknowing of its sentimentality) but the more she saw they actually cared about her and questioned on her condition made her accept this experience as a positive one (Becca)

Vocabulary:

1.) "I knew him; it was Mr. Lloyd, an apothecary, sometimes called in by Mrs. Reed when the servants were ailing"(18)

• apothecary:a person that distributes drugs

2.) "It emboldened me to ask a question"(19)

• embolden:encouraged

3.)"it only gave my nerves a shock, on which I feel the reverberation still today"(20)

• reverberation:resonance

4.)"addressed to me every now and then a word of unwonted kindness"(20)

• unwonted:unaccustomed

5.)"I was to a life of ceaseless reprimand and thankless fagging"(20)

• fagging:tiring task

6.)"the giants were gaunt goblins, the pigmies malevolent and the fearful imps"(21)

• pigmies:people of short stature

7.)"Up where the moors spread and gray rocks are piled?"(22)

• moors:uplands

8.)"Though both for shelter and kindred despoiled"(23)

• Despoiled:deprived

9.)"Again I paused; then bunglingly enounced"(25)

• bunglingly:awkwardly

10.)"while visiting among the poor of a large manufacturing town where his curacy was situated"(27)

• curacy:position

Chapter 3:

• People: Monica
• Places: Rebecca
• Summary: Ryan
• Personal Reaction: Gloria
• Vocabulary: Nicole

Chapter 2

People:

• Bessie
• Miss Abbot
• Jane Eyre
• Mrs. Reed
• Phantasm of some sort

How does Jane relate to these people?

-  Upon assumption that Bessie and Miss Abbot are governesses in the Reed Household , they relate to Jane as her primary care taker, though she is much closer to Bessie. Mrs. Reed is merely the proprietor of the house she lives in and the benefactor to her unfortunate situation. The phantasm though is Jane’s first encounter with the supernatural and possibly the manifestation of the hate and ignorance in the Reed house.

Places:

1. Describe the red-room. Give physical description and the atmosphere created.

• The red room is dark and gloomy. The carpets and objects in the room were red hence "red-room". In addition, the atmosphere created an illusion to Jane; this is probably why she sensed her dead uncle in the room.

      2.  Why does Jane have such a fear of the room?

• Jane fears the room because it was her dead uncle's room and where his casket was.

Summary:

• As punishment for having "assaulted" John, Jane is being sent to the red-room by Bessie and Abbot. Rather than quietly endure her punishments, Jane decides to resist the room in every way possible as she recalls what had happened last in the room. As its name implies, the red-room is almost entirely covered in the blood red color. This is the room where Jane's uncle passed away and made his wife promise to care for Jane. So while Mrs. Reed may feel some resentment towards this room, Jane is reminded of her uncle's kindness. The redness of the room can stand for not only the death that had passed, but also for a type of passion that filled Jane's uncle and now Jane. The fact that Jane is the only one present in the room shows that she is more passionate and fierce than her aunt or cousins. Also, the "rushing of wings" that she hears after fainting is that of her freedom and escape approaching closer to her.

Personal Reaction:

1.) What do you think is the significance of Jane being sent to the room where her uncle died?

• It serves as a context for Jane's family background to be introduced.  The room is characterized as the place in which her uncle died.  Mr. Reed's death had a significant effect on the life of his niece.  It placed her in the care of her aunt.  It is an appropriate setting for her punishment since the past event that occurred in that room had an impact to her present miserable condition. (Nicole)
•  (Ryan): The significance of Jane being sent to her Uncle's old room is to serve as a way to discuss how and why Jane is where she is. Doing this gives the author the chance to give a background history about Jane's family basically. Also, it is the only room in the house where Jane has some kind of family left because her own cousins do not even count as her family.
• I think it allows for more depth on how Jane came to be in the situation she is in. Also, this gives for more characterization to take place as Jane's uncle can now be compared to both Jane and the other Reeds. Being in the same room where her uncle once was empowers Jane to attempt to assert more control in her life and the way she is treated.  (Gloria)
• The significance lies with the fact that her uncle was the person that wanted Jane to be treated well, and the irony is that they punish her in the room that he died in.  She enjoys living in isolation, but in this room the ghost manifests itslef in her fears, tormenting her even worse than John Reed (Becca)  

2.) What do you believe caused Jane's reaction in the red-room?

• I think the room was oppressing her due to the knowledge that her uncle died there.  I think knowing he could have improved her life if he was still alive distressed her.  I doubt whether she did see a ghost.  It might have merely been an impression to her unsettling thoughts about what her life could have been like.  I think her interpretation of a supernatural phenomena occurring was her own creation as a result of disturbing thoughts. (Nicole)
• (Ryan): I believe the illusion created by the red-room with the color and and how everything is set up and the history in that room caused Jane to start seeing things provoking her to react that way. Being alone like she always is, heightened her fear of being alone in there.
• I think Jane may have been overwhelmed with passion as well as power. Although at first it may have scared her to be in such a ghastly, red room, she then considers the disposition of her uncle and remembers that her life had not always been this horrid.  (Gloria)
• As i said earlier, i think that it is a manifestation of her fears. Her reaction to the room is more like Adela's reaction to the caves, where it is mostly because of something in her pychology and she perceives it as an actual tangible experience. (Becca) 

Vocabulary:

1.  "Miss Abbot turned to divest a stout leg of the necessary ligature"
• divest: v. deprive (someone) of power, rights, or possessions.
2. "This preparation for bonds, and the additional ignominy it inferred..."
• ignominy: n. public shame or disgrace.
3. "...I might say never, indeed, unless when a change influx of visitors at Gateshead Hall rendered it necessary..."
• influx: n. an arrival or entry of large numbers of people or things.
4. "...stood out like tabernacle in the centre..."
• tabernacle: n. (in biblical use) a fixed or movable habitation, typically of light construction.
5. "...all his mother's aversion..."
• aversion: n. a strong dislike or disinclination.
6. Georgiana, who had a spoiled temper, a very acrid spite, a capitous and insolent carriage..."
• capitous: adj. (of a person) tending to find fault or raise petty objections.
7. ...seemed to give delight to all who looked at her, and to purchase indemnity for every fault"
• indemnity: n. security or protection against a less or other finanical burden.
8. "...he called his mother "old girl," too; sometimes reviled  her for her dark skin..."
• reviled: v. criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner.
9. "...and because I had turned against him to avert farther irrational violence, I was loaded with general opprobrium"
• opprobrium: n. harsh critcism or censure.
10. "...I had nothing in harmony with Mrs. Reed or her children, or her chosen vassalage"
• vassalage: n. a holder of land by feudal tenure on conditions of homage and allegiance.

Chapter 2

• People: Rebecca
• Places: Ryan
• Summary: Gloria
• Personal Reaction: Nicole
• Vocabulary: Monica

Chapter 1

People: 

• Jane Eyre
• Mrs. Reed
• John Reed
• Georgiana Reed
• Abbot
• Bessie

How does the protagonist, Jane, relate to these relate to these people?
- She has no positive relationship with any of them, it appears she is the outcast in the house.

Places:

1. Why does the scene in the drawing room exclude Jane?
• The drawing room is only intended for those "happy little children" and yet living under Mrs. Reed, there was no way Jane would ever qualify as one. The room could also stand as a sense of unity between the family wherein Jane is not permitted entrance.
2. Why does Jane seek the window seat in the breakfast room?
• Jane is immediately drawn to the window as she looks out at the world that she has yet to know. Like a bird from her book, she longs to be freed of the clutches of the Reed family. Unfortunately, the closest Jane is to freedom is by being next to the window yearning for what she does not have.

Summary:

• Jane Eyre is a little girl that is outcasted from her family.  One cold and rainy day, Jane was not admitted into the drawing room with her cousins and aunt.  Her aunt, Mrs. Reed would not permit Jane to join the rest of the family, because she disapproved of Jane’s manner.  Jane occupied herself by reading a book about birds next to the window in the breakfast room.  She sat by the windows with drapes pulled about her while thinking of melancholy places. In the midst of reading her cousin, John Reed, comes into the room to look for Jane.  His sister, Eliza Reed, informs him that Jane is probably at the window.  Jane comes out from her place by the window, because she is afraid of John.  When Jane asks John why he is looking for her, John becomes infuriated that she does not address him as her master.  When he learns that she had been reading his anger increases since he feels Jane has no right to read his family’s book.  Therefore, he throws the book at Jane.  As a result, she injures her head. Jane’s rage causes her to identify John as being similar to a brutal Roman emperor.  Her remark causes John to start a brawl.  Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Reed’s daughters, and the servants come into the room to discover the fight.  Jane is blamed for the fight and sent to the red-room as a punishment.  As in the How to Read Like a Professor, the stormy weather reflects the turmoil of Jane’s life on that day.  

Personal Reaction:

1. How do you feel about the way that Jane Eyre is treated at Gateshead Hall?

• Her treatment at Gateshead Hall is like that of a servant or slave. Although she is not connected by blood, she is still a member of the family but is not treated as one. Without any immediate family, the introduction of Jane Eyre living among physically and emotionally abusive figures elicits sympathy for the young girl. It is obvious she is alone, left without anyone to talk to or confide in. (Monica)
• The way in which Jane's family treat her is unfair.  When John provokes Jane by his cruelty, she is unable to defend herself.  The lack of family support makes her a pitiful figure.  (Nicole)
• I think Jane's treatment at Gateshead Hall is extremely harsh. She is treated as if she is of absolutely no significance in the home. however, i think the Reeds know that she is more passionate and thriving than they will ever be. this leaves them feeling inferior and are only able to suppress it by abusing Jane.  (Gloria)
• (Ryan): I feel like it is Harry Potter all over again. But on a serious note, i think she is being mistreated and oppressed of being able to do anything. Her "family" and the helpers are all cruel to her and treat her almost as if she was not human. They do not care or consider her feelings.
• haha ryan, don't you think harry potter is copying jane eyre? not the other way around? hmmm but you could also connect this point to other biblical allusions, but I digress... I am only in awe of Jane's tolerence threshold. I highly disagree with the fact that everyone knows about Jane's treatment but never does anything to stop it. (Becca)

2. React especially to the last paragraph of chapter 1: "Take her away..." What questions immediately come to mind?

• In the last paragraph, Jane Eyre is sent off and "[taken]...away" to the "red-room". What is the red-room and what about it is so bad that it is considered a punishment? It's name in itself sends the message that perhaps it is in connection with death solely because of the color red. The name also makes me think that maybe unlike an all white room where mentally unstable patients are taken, this so-called "red room" is so painfully red that it inhibits a sort of unbearable vibe, possibly justifying its reason to be considered a punishment. (Monica)
• As a result of reading the last question, I had questions about the red-room.  Why is the red-room a punishment? How long would she be locked in the red-room? What occupies the red-room?  Does the room have red walls? Is the room a bedroom? Is the room an unpleasant place? The last paragraph does not specify anything about the room other than its capability to be locked.  Therefore, the lack of information on the red-room instigated questions about the setting. (Nicole)
• The question that immediately comes to mind is what is so bad about the red-room. Moreover, I am also questioning how the room came to be deemed as a punishment. Does the red-room resemble a cell considering Jane is being escorted like a prisoner?  (Gloria) 
• (Ryan): The first question that had risen in my mind when i read this was why Jane was going to be punished and sent away when she was not the one responsible for what happened. Then I realized that this story will probably be along the lines of Cinderella or similar to it where the outlier in the family is mistreated and unwanted. on the contrary, it also made me think, why are all the members of the family mean to her?
• I feel that Jane is not treated like the squatter her aunt perceives her to be, there seems to be more hate behind Mrs. Reeds actions that therefore causes her to treat Jane like a prisoner. She is sent off to a room for speaking her mind and defending herself, a completlety logical response, so is there something about this room or Jane that is so horrid? How long has this house been in the family? Was it Jane's grandfathers or Mrs. Reeds? (Becca)

Vocabulary
1.)"That is for your impudence in answering mamma a while since"

•     Impudence: The state of lacking modesty 

2.)" Becalmed the torpid sea"

•     Torpid: having lost motion or the power of exertion or feeling

3.)" That I was endeavoring in good earnest"

•      Endeavoring: Enterprise; purposeful industrious undertaking

4.)"Thick lineaments in a spacious visage"

•     Visage: the face, countenance, or appearance of a person or sometimes an animal

5.)"Refined idea that John's sallowness was owing to over-application"

•     Sallowness: of a grayish greenish yellow color

6.)"for that time predominated over time"

•     Predominated: to hold advantage in numbers or quantity

7.)"Attesting the hour of eventide"

•     Eventide: the time of evening 

8.)"Saddened by the Chidings of Bessie"

•     Chidings: Rebuking a person harshly

9.)“A more Charming and sprightly manner”

•     Sprightly: Lively, full of energy

10.)“With it clouds so sombre and rain penetrating”

•     Sombre: Lacking brightness of color; drab and dull

Chapter 1

• People: Ryan
• Places: Gloria
• Summary: Nicole
• Personal Reaction: Monica
• Vocabulary: Rebecca

Chapter 4 EXAMPLE

People:

• What is the changed relationship between the Reeds and Jane?
• What is the changed relationship between Bessie and Jane?
• What is the importance of Jane's statement -- "Human beings much love something"?
• Describe Mr. Brocklehurst

Places:

• How is Lowood described?

Review Events:

• Summarize the storyline or main action in three to four sentences.

Personal Reaction:

• Why does Mrs. Reed twice express fear in this chapter?
• React to Jane's words: "Something of vengeance I had tasted for the first time; as aromatic wine it seem, on swallowing, warm and racy; its after-flavour, metallic and corroding, gave me a sensation as if I had been poisoned."

Vocabulary:

• Write the unfamiliar words in the sentence from the book.
• Define the unfamiliar words.

Chapter 3 EXAMPLE

Indentify People:

• Mr. Lloyd
• Jane's family
• Is there a difference between Bessie's treatment of Jane and Abbot's treatment of Jane?

Identify Places:

• Nursery as opposed to red room
• Gateshead as opposed to poverty
• Gateshead as opposed to school

Review Events:

• Summarize the storyline or main action in three to four sentences.

Personal Reaction:

• Comment on Jane's observation over Bessie's kindness: "Vain favour! Coming, like most other favours long deferred and often wished for, too late!"
• Think about Jane's views of poverty. Is poverty synonymous with degradation?

Vocabulary:

• Write the unfamiliar words in the sentence from the book.
• Define the unfamiliar words.

Chapter 2 EXAMPLE

People:
NOTE NEW INSIGHTS GIVEN INTO THE CHARACTERS OF:

• Bessie and Abbot
• Mrs. Reed
• John
• Eliza
• Georgiana

•  What new information is given about Mr. Reed?

Places:

• Describe the red room. Give physical description and the atmosphere created.
• Whyd oes Jane have such a fear of the room?

Review Events:

• Summarize the storyline or main action in three to four sentences.

Personal Reaction:

• Reread the paragraph: "I was a discord in Gateshead Hall." Do you feel that Jane's analysis is true?

Vocabulary:

• Write the unfamiliar words in the sentence from the book.
• Define the unfamiliar words.

Chapter 1 EXAMPLE

Indentify People:

• Mrs. Reed
• Eliza Reed
• John Reed
• Georgiana Reed
• Bessie
• Abbot

• How does the main character, Jane, relate to these people?

Consider Places:

• Inside -- Drawing room
• Inside -- Breakfast room/window seat
• Why does the scene in the drawing room exclude Jane?
• Why does she seek the window seat in the breakfast room?
• Outside -- Describe the scene outdoors

Review Events:

• Summarize the storyline or main action in three to four sentences

Personal Reaction:

• How do you feel about the characters and events in this chapter?
• React especially to the last paragraph of chapter 1: "Take her away..." What questions immediately come to mind?

Vocabulary:

• Write a sentence from the book that includes any unfamiliar words
• EXAMPLE: "I don't like cavillers or questioners"
• Write the correct definition of the word
• EXAMPLE: cavillers means...