Ashley Smith’s Reviews > Jane Eyre > Status Update
Ashley Smith
is on page 67 of 532
“if I had lately left a good home & kind parents, this would have been the hour when I should most keenly have regretted the separation; that wind would have saddened my heart; this obscure chaos would have disturbed my peace; as it was, I derived from both a strange excitement …reckless and feverish, I wished the wind to howl more wildly, the gloom to deepen into darkness, and the confusion to rise to clamor”
— Feb 09, 2026 05:22PM
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Ashley’s Previous Updates
Ashley Smith
is on page 82 of 532
“I had meant to be so good and to do so much at Lowood; to make so many friends, to earn respect and win affection... here I lay again, crushed and trotted on…and could I ever rise more?”p.82
— Feb 09, 2026 07:05PM
Ashley Smith
is on page 82 of 532
“I retired into a corner and sat down on the floor. This spell by which I had been so far supported began to dissolve; reaction took place, and soon,so overwhelming was the grief that seized me, I sunk prostrate with my face to the ground. Now I wept;I abandoned myself, and my tears watered the boards.” P.82
— Feb 09, 2026 07:02PM
Ashley Smith
is on page 72 of 532
Chapter 6 thoughts part 11: It’s infuriating, sad, and honestly very real. Jane Eyre doesn’t just tell a story…it exposes how deeply these ideas are rooted, especially for girls.
— Feb 09, 2026 05:59PM
Ashley Smith
is on page 72 of 532
Chapter 6 thoughts part 10: What makes it hit harder is that this struggle still exists today, just in quieter ways. Religion and social expectations are still sometimes used to tell women how they “should” react to injustice. Reading this makes me think about how complicated it is to navigate standing up for yourself while being told to stay polite, kind, and forgiving.
— Feb 09, 2026 05:58PM
Ashley Smith
is on page 72 of 532
Chapter 6 thoughts part 9: On top of that, religion is almost used as a way to encourage these girls—especially—to quietly accept mistreatment. To forgive, stay gentle, stay submissive, and never push back. And while forgiveness has value, it’s frustrating to see it framed in a way that feels like it’s meant to keep women “in line.”
— Feb 09, 2026 05:58PM
Ashley Smith
is on page 72 of 532
Chapter 6 thoughts part 8: On a second note, this chapter also really frustrated me because of how clearly it shows society trying to force girls into one tiny mold from such a young age. Don’t be loud. Don’t be messy. Don’t be opinionated. Don’t take up space. All of this is drilled into them early, and it’s honestly a little disheartening to read. (But needed)
— Feb 09, 2026 05:57PM
Ashley Smith
is on page 72 of 532
Chapter 6 thoughts part 7: I don’t know exactly how I feel about it yet. The idea of using faith to cope with injustice is powerful, but also confusing when it feels like it might encourage people to accept mistreatment. Overall, this chapter really stayed with me. It’s emotional, thoughtful, and painfully real. I wasn’t expecting something this deep so early in the book.
— Feb 09, 2026 05:52PM
Ashley Smith
is on page 72 of 532
Chapter 6 thoughts part 6: But I also think she’s trying to say that holding onto hatred will only hurt you more in the end. That forgiveness is more about protecting your own peace than excusing what others did. Still, it’s such a sad conversation for two children to be having. They’ve already had to grow up emotionally way too fast. It also puts religion in a strange light for me here.
— Feb 09, 2026 05:52PM
Ashley Smith
is on page 72 of 532
Chapter 6 thoughts part 5: Especially when you’re a kid and you’ve been treated unfairly for years. Do you fight back? Do you protect yourself? Or do you stay quiet, forgive, and keep absorbing the hurt? Part of me feels like Helen’s approach can sound like becoming a shell of yourself—like you’re not allowed to be angry or defend yourself.
— Feb 09, 2026 05:51PM
