In response to question 4: What does Mr. Brocklehurst's analogy between the ill-prepared breakfast and the "sufferings of the primitive Christians...the torments of martyrs...the exhortations of our blessed Lord Himself" reveal about his chracter? How does this attitude contrast with that of Miss Temple to reveal the author's social message?
Mr. Brocklehurst's analogy comparing the girls to the "primitive Christians" is followed by an outpouring of Biblical quotes. Among these, a paraphrased verse, "If ye suffer hunger or thirst for My sake, happy are ye."
Mr. Brocklehurst uses this verse, along with others, to justify his ill treatment of the girls at Lowood. He doesn't give them proper winter clothing, so they suffer in the cold. He doesn't give them enough food, so they're always hungry. His policies call for punishment of every behavior that goes against his belief of what the Bible teaches. This includes shaming a little girl for having naturally curly, "immodest" hair, a factor far out of her control.
Now I was not raised with religion. I know very little about Christianity, but I'm just going to go out on a limb here and say that Jesus would not approve of children being abused and suffering under a cause supposedly for him. (Back me up on this, Jesus. Your verses mean we should starve and shame our children?)
Brocklehurst is an evil character who readers are meant to detest. Through his hypocritical actions, Charlotte Bronte was making a statement on the hypocrisy of Christians and the corruption of the church and its practices.
Even the character of Miss Temple who, when contrasted with Brocklehurst, seems rather pleasant, is meant to illustrate this social message. Miss Temple is kind and encouraging towards the Lowood girls. She tries to do what's best for them and probably feels she's acting as God would want her to. However, she does not stand against Brocklehurst's abuses. She takes his word as seriously as God's. She's justified in this because Brocklehurst has the power to put her out of work, but does this mean she should go against the TRUE teachings of the Bible?
Mr. Brocklehurst is meant to represent the corrupt church officials who manipulate religion and utilize it in the wrong way. Often, they do more harm than good. Miss Temple is meant to represent the congregants who take orders from these corrupt people. They truly believe that God speaks through their leaders, so of course they listen to them. This often results in the church leaders and followers acting in hypocritical, harmful ways.
In the book, it results in the mistreatment of children. But that's okay, because, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Unlike Brocklehurst and Temple's version of "God's word," this stuff is the real deal. Karma is a bad word that I cannot say, but Brocklehurst will get what's coming to him and the Lowood kids will get what's rightfully theirs in the end.
Strong response I appreciated that you acknowledged the historical and social context- but I do wish you had examined language as part of your reasoning. In what ways does the use of the first-person pronoun "My" apply to Brocklehurst and his motives as a character and care-giver?
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