social class Flashcards
big ideas from chapter 1
John’s bullying and constant justification indicates that the Reed’s view wealth as a sole measure of a person’s worth because Jane is poor they consider her unfit to live with them
quote to support the big idea for chapter 1 and analysis
“You have no business to take our books; you are dependant, mamma says you have no money; your father left you with none; you ought to beg and not live here with gentleman’s children like us
John claims the rights of the gentleman implying that Jane’s family is from a lower class. The verb ought suggest how John is not just suggesting but he commanding Jane to do so. This shows the difference in class and also shows her disadvantage as her position as a female which leaves her vulnerable to the rule of a patriarchal tyrant.
quote to support the big idea for chapter 1 and analysis
“Wicked and cruel boy! I said You are like a murderer- you are like a slave driver - you are like the Roman emperors.
By calling John a “murderer” ,”slave driver” and “Roman Emperor” Jane emphasises the inherent corruption in the class system. Her difference translates into physical difference and Jane believes she is physically inferior to the other Reed children. Despite this she still is able to take back some power in this situation by calling Joan a “boy” perhaps implying that in spite of their class difference they are still the same.
big ideas form chapters 2 and 3
The reader s made aware of Jane’s ideal position in society despite her own social class ambiguity - a theme that is continued throughout the novel.
quotes to support the big idea for chapter 2 and 3 and analysis
“you will stay here an hour longer, and it is only on condition of perfect submission and stillness but I shall liberate you then”
Mrs Reed will only free Jane only if she maintains “perfect stillness and submission”. This reflects Jane social status and her role as a lower class woman. Furthermore, The use of commanding verbs from Mrs Reed “will” “I shall liberate you” shows how she holds all the power in this situation and therefore emphasising Jane’s vulnerable position in the household
quotes to support the big idea for chapter 2 and 3 and analysis
“Silence! This violence is all most repulsive”
Showing how those of the higher ups believe that the lower class should not experience emotions of such a passions like Jane. This again brings about questions on her ambiguous social class and further shows the suppression those of a lower class are forced to endure.
big idea for chapters 2 and 3
Jane’s naivety and lack of experience is made apparent in these chapters
quotes to support the big idea for chapter 2 and 3 and analysis
“Poverty looks grim to grown people; still more to children; they have not much idea of industrious, working, respectable poverty; they think of the world only as connected with ragged clothes scanty food, fireless grates, rude manners and debasing vices: poverty for me was a synonymous with degradation
Jane surprisingly shares the Reeds ideology that poor people are morally inferior to the wealthy. This can lead the reader to question whether the Reeds are at fault with their bullying of Jane as even the protagonist shares similar views on those of the lower class. Here we learn that to Jane poverty is unacceptable.
big ideas for chapter 11
The strict hierarchical system is clearly important throughout Jane Eyre. This system emphasises the ambiguity of Jane’s own social class.
quotes to support the big idea for chapter 11 and analysis
“You see they are only servants, and one can’t converse with them on terms of equality; one must keep a distance in fear of losing one’s authority”
The strict hierarchical system in England requires that everyone maintain their proper place as the novel shows, the difference between classes are constantly blurred. As a governess, Jane will be in the same category as Mrs Fairfax, neither a member of the family nor a member of the serving class.
big idea for chapters 14 and 15 quote and analysis
your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience.”
here, the readers are made known of Jane’s stance on the social class system and gender equality. We learn that Jane believes a person’s claim to superiority should mainly be placed due to their accomplishments and experience not gender or social class. This would have been against the status quo showing Jane’s independent mind.
big idea for chapters 14 and 15 quote and analysis
I smiled: I thought to myself Mr. Rochester is peculiar–he seems to forget that he pays me 30 pounds per annum for receiving his orders
The reader is reminded of the difference of social status between Jane and Mr Rochester
big idea from chapter 17
those of a lower class are oppressed and dehumanized by those of the higher class this is shown throughout he novel
quotes for chapter 17 and analysis
“I noticed her I am a judge of physiognomy, and in hers I see all the faults of her class”
”[…] why liaisons between governesses and tutor should never be tolerated in any well-regulated house”
Not only are those employees subjected to constant persecution but they are desexualized; not allows to fall in love or experience intense passions as Jane. Interestingly, the only times we encounter those of a higher class are cruel and the antagonists in the novel. Perhaps this is the way Bronte citizens the class system.
