Question
Jane Eyre (#3) By charlotte Bronte
Consider the following comments about Jane Eyre:
"What shocking conduct, Miss Eyre, to strike a young gentleman, your benefactress's son!"
"...No; you are less than a servant, for you do nothing for your keep..."
"[Your aunt]...Mrs. Reed: she keeps you: if she were to turn you off, you would have to go to the poorhouse."
"God will punish her [Jane]: He might strike her dead in the midst of her tantrums, and then where would she go?"
What do the servants' admonitions to Jane Eyre say about her social status in Victorian England?
Responses
A Even though Jane is poor, if she works hard and gets a good education she will be a valued member of society.Even though Jane is poor, if she works hard and gets a good education she will be a valued member of society.
B The servants are jealous of Jane and berate her to make themselves feel better about their own, lowly social status.The servants are jealous of Jane and berate her to make themselves feel better about their own, lowly social status.
C By Victorian standards Jane deserves to be homeless, or even eternally condemned, for her ungrateful behavior to her betters.By Victorian standards Jane deserves to be homeless, or even eternally condemned, for her ungrateful behavior to her betters.
D Jane needs to "be herself." By pretending to respect her cousins who have a higher social status, Jane will lose social status in the long run.
Consider the following comments about Jane Eyre:
"What shocking conduct, Miss Eyre, to strike a young gentleman, your benefactress's son!"
"...No; you are less than a servant, for you do nothing for your keep..."
"[Your aunt]...Mrs. Reed: she keeps you: if she were to turn you off, you would have to go to the poorhouse."
"God will punish her [Jane]: He might strike her dead in the midst of her tantrums, and then where would she go?"
What do the servants' admonitions to Jane Eyre say about her social status in Victorian England?
Responses
A Even though Jane is poor, if she works hard and gets a good education she will be a valued member of society.Even though Jane is poor, if she works hard and gets a good education she will be a valued member of society.
B The servants are jealous of Jane and berate her to make themselves feel better about their own, lowly social status.The servants are jealous of Jane and berate her to make themselves feel better about their own, lowly social status.
C By Victorian standards Jane deserves to be homeless, or even eternally condemned, for her ungrateful behavior to her betters.By Victorian standards Jane deserves to be homeless, or even eternally condemned, for her ungrateful behavior to her betters.
D Jane needs to "be herself." By pretending to respect her cousins who have a higher social status, Jane will lose social status in the long run.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The best response to the comments about Jane Eyre and her social status in Victorian England is:
**C**: By Victorian standards, Jane deserves to be homeless, or even eternally condemned, for her ungrateful behavior to her betters.
This response captures the essence of the societal norms of the time, where social hierarchy was rigid and one's position was often dictated by birth and wealth. The servants’ admonitions reflect the moral expectations of the period regarding respect for those of higher social status and the consequences of failing to adhere to those expectations. Jane's actions and behavior are viewed as unacceptable due to her lower status, and her challenges against authority and social norms are seen as transgressions that could lead to dire consequences.
**C**: By Victorian standards, Jane deserves to be homeless, or even eternally condemned, for her ungrateful behavior to her betters.
This response captures the essence of the societal norms of the time, where social hierarchy was rigid and one's position was often dictated by birth and wealth. The servants’ admonitions reflect the moral expectations of the period regarding respect for those of higher social status and the consequences of failing to adhere to those expectations. Jane's actions and behavior are viewed as unacceptable due to her lower status, and her challenges against authority and social norms are seen as transgressions that could lead to dire consequences.