Chapters 2-4

Summary: Jane is led to the red room, the room in which her uncle reed had died, and reminisces, after thinking of her uncle and the part he played in her life at Gateshead, she believes his ghost is in the room, she cries out and is ignored. She is scolded for attempting to escape punishment and later faints. When she has regained consciousness she finds herself in her bed, waited on by Mr Lloyd the Reed’s apothecary. Mr Lloyd suggests to Mrs Reed that Jane be sent to school. Jane then overhears a conversation between Bessie and Ms Abbot and learns that her father had been a poor clergyman and that her mother had married without blessing and had been cut off. She learns too that they were married only a year before they died. Jane endures further cruel treatment at Gateshead in the weeks before she is sent to Lowood School. Jane meets with Mr Brocklehurst, during this time Mrs Reed accuses Jane of being deceitful. Mr Brocklehurst promises to publisize this in Lowood. After he has left, Jane defends herself against her aunt and her aunt concedes. Before Jane leaves for Lowood Bessie tells her that she prefers her to the Reed children.

The first four chapters take place in Gatehead and are written from Jane’s viewpoint looking back on her life. We are introduced to the Reeds; Mrs Reed, Eliza, John, and Georgiana. We see that she endures unfair treatment form all the Reeds as well as physical harm from John Reed. It is clear that Jane feels inferior to her cousins and it is clear also that Mrs Reed does not care for her niece; as is demonstrated by her accusations. Bessie and Ms Abbot are servants of Gateshead and we become aware that Bessie sympathizes with Jane. We are also introduced to Mr Lloyd- a kind man and a positive influence in Jane’s life and Mr Brocklehurst who runs Lowood and questions Jane on her religious opinion. One of the themes running throughout the four chapters is the unfair treatment of Jane. The reader immediately sympathises with Jane and becomes involved in her life. The reader is pleased to know that Jane will leave Gateshead and start afresh in Lowood. This sympathetic feeling towards Jane is achieved due to the fact that we are looking at Jane’s life through Jane’s own eyes. We feel what she feels. The descriptive writing also aids the readers feeling that the reader is indeed involved in the story.