An After Bedtime Discussion of Jane Eyre and Helen Burns at Lowood

[Michael M. Elling]

Photo Captions:  Helen Burns at 13, December 1824, Lowood Institution Lancashire, with Jane Eyre at 10.

 

                      --Freya Parks and Amelia Clarkson, Focus Features Film: Jane Eyre, 2011  

 

“Helen, why do you continue reading your book so intently when it is not part of your lesson?” Jane asked.

 

“Rasselas?”  Helen said.

 

“Yes!”  Jane was puzzled.  When Helen allowed Jane to look at the book that day she neither understood, nor found its random sentences she glanced at meaningful.  It caused Jane to conclude that lessons among higher forms in school were beyond her apprehension.

 

“It is simple in its foundation,” Helen began, then cleared her throat for audibility, “Rasselas is a prince who is made to go into a pleasant place of seclusion to begin learning how to rule when he is to become king.  He is there with a tutor and they intend to concentrate on problem solving so that he shall be ready when the time comes.  He understands that his future success as king will be endeavored by the practice during his formative years.”

 

An interruption of coughing caused Helen stress and she presently spit into a soiled cleaning rag which muffled her recovery.  She again continued, “...This is similar to our own concentration and study that we too may learn to benefit from a good education and meet those requirements that God will present to us!”

 

Jane whispered, “But Helen, Miss Scatcherd has no intention to give us a good education.  She is no teacher; –she is mean and spiteful!” 

 

“No Jane, you must not keep thinking that.  Miss Scatcherd is sensitive to things that offend her and what she thinks offend good society.  Her discipline is to make us aware not just of our faults, but what we may find offensive in people we are yet to meet.  She is an important part of our education so that we are aware of habits that bring others displeasure.”

 

“Then why does she not suffer thus, and like Miss Temple, forgive these faults and concentrate on our lessons and not upon us?”

 

“Oh Jane, you see things so plainly!  Miss Temple is part of the world of toleration.  She tries to enhance our productivity by being happy at what we do.  As Rasselas soon discovers, living in an ideal way promotes a lazy attitude and thus lack of preparation.  You must not be lulled into seeing life as pleasant, but rather one of constant vigil, where dangers do not go unnoticed.  Remember  our Lord Jesus tells us that our Kingdom is not of this world!  We must always prepare for a better place.”

 

“But a better place must be absent of people who despise us.  I will strike back to stop them, and make sure they never try to hurt me again!”

 

“No Jane,” Helen pleaded.  “You must not strike back, for if you do you will lower yourself to their level.  You must instead forgive them like we are told in the New Testament.  Love your enemies and pray for them. Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek!  Look at Miss Temple.  She prefers we study hard and pay attention to the lesson, but my mind wanders and I often miss the object of her questions.  It is sadness that I feel whenever I fail the correct answer.  I know I deserve the punishment of Miss Scatcherd, but I deserve punishment too from Miss Temple, who seldom gives it.  How will I face my future unless I practice directing my conduct in the right way?”

 

“Oh Helen, you always do things in the right way!  Like the time Mr. Brocklehurst cut your hair, you stood by unmoving while you were shorn like a black sheep.”

 

“What was I to do, pull my locks back into my head?  Jane, we cannot rebel against people who God made power over us.  That is a sin of the Fourth Commandment.  It is up to us to accept our low state and yield to those in power.  Otherwise how are we to gain in strength and in wisdom?  We must see from these events lessons we will carry on into life.  If we do not, then our education is thwarted and our living will be of no profit at all.”

 

“But is it right to allow those in power to abuse us Helen?”

 

“No it is not right.  We must pray that over time, the truth will come out and with the help of God, people will understand what His plan is for us, and then allow us to attain His will!”  Here, Helen broke into another cough.  When she was able to relax from the fit, she listened for Jane to respond.

 

However, after a while she could tell from her breathing that Jane had grown warm beneath her quilt and that she had fallen asleep.