Ashley Smith’s Reviews > Jane Eyre > Status Update

“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

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.

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.

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.”

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)

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.

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.

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.

Chapter 6 thoughts part 4: She even quotes the New Testament: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you…” And while I understand what she’s saying, it’s also incredibly complicated. This scene felt so relatable to me. It’s that constant internal struggle between standing up for yourself and being told to “just let it go.”