Chapter 2 My Life at Lowood School

‘Everybody, Jane? There are only 80 people here and I think they feel sorry for you.’

I put my hand in hers.

‘Besides, if all the world believed you to be wicked, but you were innocent*, you would not be without friends.’

I rested my head on her shoulder and we sat like that until Miss Temple came.

‘Why did Mr Brocklehurst say those things about you, Jane?’ she asked me.

I told her about my life before Lowood , remembering to stay as calm as Helen. When I told her about Mr Lloyd, Miss Temple stopped me.

‘I know of this man, I will write to him. Now, Helen, how are you? Are you still coughing? How is the pain in your chest?’ innocent behaving in a good way relieved when you stop feeling worried about something

And that was how I learned my friend was ill. Some time later, a letter arrived from Mr Lloyd. I was telling the truth, he said. I was relieved*. Now, no one would think I was a liar.

Spring and summer were better at Lowood, until a terrible disease called typhus hit the school. Many of the girls became very ill and died. Lessons were stopped and I spent my days outside, but I was sad. Helen was ill with tuberculosis, not typhus. I was too young to understand how ill she was until one day her nurse told me.

Helen gives Jane an important lesson. Jane does not need to worry about the opinion of others if she knows she has not done wrong.

This book is both a Gothic story and a ‘bildungsroman’ – a German word describing stories that show the development of the main character as they grow from a child into adulthood.

Typhus was a serious illness at this time. You get it when an insect bites you and bacteria go from the bite into your blood.

Tuberculosis was another serious disease at this time. Many people died from it.

Many people believe that Helen Burns is based on Charlotte’s oldest sister Maria who died of tuberculosis in 1825 when she was 12. Charlotte missed her sister terribly after she died.

‘The doctor says Helen will not be here long.’

Poor Helen! That night, I waited until everyone was asleep, then went to her.

‘Can it be you Jane?’ she asked.

I got onto her bed and kissed her.

‘You must not be sad, we all die one day, and when I am gone I will be in heaven with God.’

‘Will I see you there when I die?’

‘You will. Goodnight, Jane.’

‘Goodnight, Helen.’

That night, my dear friend Helen Burns died.