I could be terrible at reading tone, or I just don’t agree with the message Bronte is trying to get across when it comes to Jane’s behavior. The portion of the book recounting her childhood notes that she was ‘volatile’ and angry because she was unloved and neglected. Jane resents the adults around her who treat her badly, or treat other kids badly. She even asks her friend Helen why she doesn’t hate the teacher who hits her and humiliates her. Helen gives an answer about her religiosity exempting her from hating anybody and tells Jane that the teacher is right about her.
Even later on, when Jane visits Mrs. Reed on her deathbed, she apologizes for her behavior as a child and asks Mrs. Reed to kiss her on the cheek.
Overall, I’m confused about whether Bronte was trying to make the case that young girls have feelings and cannot be neglected into submission, or whether she meant to paint child Jane’s behavior as antagonistic and something the reader should learn is wrong.
