2011-12-04

Relations in literature


      When I was preparing to talk on this topic, I decided to talk about true, friendly relationships between Jane Eyre ad Helen Burns in Charlotte Bronte's book "Jane Eyre". My sister read it in lithuanian and then she adviced me to read it too. I do not want to cheat and improve my written speach, so I will write an original.
      As some of you already know, Charlotte Bronte was an English novelist and poet, the eldest of the three Bronte sisters who survived till adulthood. Her works were: Vilette, The professor, Legend of Angria, Jane Eyre. The most notable work was Jane Eyre, which was written in 1847 under the name of Currer Bell. The importance of friendship is concidered as a signifficant element throughout this novel.
     The novel starts with young orphan girl Jane Eyre  who lives with her aunt Mrs. Reed, aunt's children Eliza, John and Georgiana Reed in Gateshead Hall. Both Jane's parents are dead. Mr's Reed is a rich woman and her children are very spoilt and rude. Reed's family doesn't like Jane very much because they do not want to take care of an orphan. Moreover, Jane is always criticised for her behaviour.l Once she was punished and then locked in a Red Room . It was room where 9 years ago died Mr. Reed - Jane's uncle. After such a bad experience, it is deciced that Jane should be sent to a school for girls in Lowood.
      Lowood seems to be like a salvation but unfortunately, some of the girls can not avoid punishments. One of them is Helen Burns. Helen is a girl, several years older than Jane. Constantly criticised by the nasty teacher Miss Scatcherd, Helen never seems to take offense as teh way she is treated, and even tries to see things from Miss Scatcherd's perspective. She is extremely intelligent, calm and carring, but the most important aspect is her religious faith. When Jane met her, she realized that Helen was a kind - hearted and decided therefore that she was her first and best friend.
     In contrast to Helen's personality, Jane has totally opposite approach to life. She is a short tempered and will always say what she thinks despite the circumstances. She is sincere and does not afraid to articulate her point of view however it may be. Jane is confused by Helen's patient, loving responce to mistreatment.No I waant to prove it and I will quote Jane's and Helen's dialogue.
     "But I feel this, Helen: I must dislike those who, whatever I do to please them, persist in disliking me, I must resist those who punish me unjustly. It is as natural as that I should love those who show me affection, or submit to punishment when I feel it is deserved...".
      Helen: Read the New Testament, and observe what Christ says, and how he acts; make his word your rule, and this conduct cour example.
     We can obviously see that we have two different attitudes towards injustice. One is uncontrollable, seeking for justice and other is calm, ignoring everything what is said to her.
     For Jane, Helen is not only a friend. Helen wants to learn Jane forgive her enemies and live without anger. We can even call her an angel send to the Earth, to help to endure all the difficulties that Jane has. It's a pity, that such a great friend like Helen, Jane had not very long - soon Helen died and was tahen to tha Heaven. Values and beliefs leave a lasting impression on Jane, who remembers her friend's example the rest of her life. 
      In conclusion I can say this kind of friendship is really unusual (maybe because it is just a story). In spite of this, it was really interested in reading "Jane Eyre". In my opinion it is a book, which lets the reader to feel the same like the characters of this story.