Mr Brocklehurst Who is Brocklehurst & what does he represent? Mind-map your ideas!

Learning Objectives Explore & understand the character of Mr Brocklehurst. To understand the role of patriarchal structures within the novel. Understand the symbolic status of Brocklehurst within the novel.

Mystery Question Does religion represent good or evil in ‘Jane Eyre’? Justify your response.

Patriarchal Structures

To explore & understand the character of Mr Brocklehurst. Find as many quotes to describe his character as you can. “stony stranger” “harsh” “transformed under Mr Brocklehurst’s eye into an artful, noxious child” To explore & understand the character of Mr Brocklehurst.

Learning Check Draw a picture that represents what you have learnt about Brocklehurst so far.

Brocklehurst What is the significance of Jane’s exclamation: “what a great nose! And what a mouth! And what large, prominent teeth!” (42)? Transformed into big bad wolf of fairytale waiting to devour the innocent Red-Riding hood. From his first introduction to the story one realises that this spiritual man will offer Jane little comfort and no salvation. Reflects the influence of Bessie’s stories on Jane and child’s POV but also deceitful nature of man.

Questions Ch 4-6 What is Mr. Brocklehurst’s attitude toward Jane? What does Mrs Reed tell Mr Brocklehurst about Jane? Why does Jane become upset at Mrs. Reed’s statement? What Brocklehurst’s advice to Jane? How does the reader respond to Bronte’s depiction of Brocklehurst? Describe Lowood (52). What kind of atmosphere presides at the school?

Brocklehurst The cruel, hypocritical master of the Lowood School. Mr. Brocklehurst preaches a doctrine of privation, while stealing from the school to support his luxurious lifestyle. After a typhus epidemic sweeps Lowood, Brocklehurst’s dishonest practices are brought to light and he is publicly discredited.

Brocklehurst Brings in literal change. “A black pillar!-such at least, appeared to me at first sight, the straight, narrow, sable-clad shape standing erect on the rug, the grim face at the top was like a carved mask” – INHUMANITY , “stony stranger”. Liar! Implied by story so when he says Mrs Reed is “judicious” and he “consistent” we do not believe him. Clergyman – symbolises Jane’s aversion to some of the versions of organised religion: EVIDENCE? Hard and inflexible in beliefs – EVIDENCE? Jane – fire and energy, he cold and aloof as tone, no passion and even less compassion.

Mystery Question Does religion represent good or evil in ‘Jane Eyre’? Justify your response.

Learning Objectives To explore & understand the character of Mr Brocklehurst. Understand the symbolic status of Brocklehurst within the novel. To understand the role of patriarchal structures within the novel.