Faith Formation
One way in which Jane changes significantly is in her conception of and relationship with religion and faith. We hear strains of Bronte’s criticism of religious institutions in this text, which had historically upheld patriarchal norms and classist beliefs in England, but we also have evidence of Bronte’s belief in a deep, personalized and individualized faith, something relatively unconventional and progressive for the time. For this option, you will examine Jane’s attitudes toward and relationship with religion and faith. You may wish to consider the factors that influence her perceptions and how she, quite independent of others, fashions a faith that not only sustains her but also offers her an inclusive, intimate relationship with God.
