Mr. Brocklehurst – Power over Jane

By: Brittany Davis, Marelyn Rios and Genni Butts

Does this character hold any power or authority over Jane?

• Yes• “Mr. Brocklehurst, I believed I intimated in the

letter which I wrote to you three weeks ago, that this little girl has not quite the character and disposition I could wish: should you admit her into Lowood School, I should be glad if the superintendent and teachers were requested to keep a strict eye on her, and, above all, to guard against her worst fault, a tendency to deceit.” (31).

What is the source of this power or authority?

• Mr. Brocklehurst’s power over Jane is first assigned by Mrs. Reed and then is automatically assumed by him because he is the schools headmaster.

• “Mr. Brocklehurst, I believed I intimated in the letter which I wrote to you three weeks ago, that this little girl has not quite the character and disposition I could wish: should you admit her into Lowood School, I should be glad if the superintendent and teachers were requested to keep a strict eye on her, and, above all, to guard against her worst fault, a tendency to deceit.” (31).

What is the nature of this power of authority?

• Mr. Brocklehurst’s power is used in a very tyrannical manner.

• “My dear children […] for it becomes my duty to warn you that this girl […] is a little castaway: not a member of the true flock, but evidently an interloper and an alien. You must be on your guard against her; you must shun her example, if necessary, avoid her company, exclude her from your sports, and shut her out from your converse. Teachers, you must watch her: keep your eyes on her movements, weigh well her words, scrutinize her actions, punish her body to save her soul if, indeed, such salvation is possible […] this girl is – a liar!” (61).

How does this character wield his or her power of authority over Jane?

• Mr. Brocklehurst abuses his power and makes Jane look inferior to everyone while pointing out all of her faults.

• “My dear children […] for it becomes my duty to warn you that this girl […] is a little castaway: not a member of the true flock, but evidently an interloper and an alien. You must be on your guard against her; you must shun her example, if necessary, avoid her company, exclude her from your sports, and shut her out from your converse. Teachers, you must watch her: keep your eyes on her movements, weigh well her words, scrutinize her actions, punish her body to save her soul if, indeed, such salvation is possible […] this girl is – a liar!” (61).

How does Jane react to this person’s exercise of power of authority?

• Jane reacts in a negative way by crying, becoming aggressive and thinking everyone hates her.

• “Now I wept: […] nothing sustained me; left to myself I abandoned myself, and my tears watered the boards” (62).