Volume 1, Chapter 8
Synopsis of Volume 1, Chapter 8
Jane is comforted by Helen, and Miss Temple summons them both to her room for tea. Jane listens with delight to the educated conversation between Helen and the teacher. When they return to the dormitory, Helen is punished for untidiness. Miss Temple writes to Mr Lloyd, who confirms that Jane is not a liar, and she is exonerated before the whole school. Jane resolves to apply herself to her school work.
Commentary on Volume 1, Chapter 8
sovereign hand created your frame Helen refers to God. Compare Brocklehurst's comments on Jane's appearance in the previous chapter: see Going deeper: Volume 1, Chapter 7.
separation of spirit from flesh ... a full reward Helen frequently refers to death and her belief in the afterlife when her faith will be rewarded in Heaven. Jane always finds it hard to share Helen's views and places much more importance on the pleasures and rewards of earthly life.
nectar and ambrosia In Greek mythology, the drink and food of the gods.
Virgil Publius Virgilius Maro (70-19 BCE) was the great Roman poet who wrote the Aeneid, an epic poem about the Trojan Wars.
my organ of veneration See the explanation of phrenology in Going deeper: Volume 1, Chapter 5.
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phylactery A small box (usually made of wood or leather) containing a paper with a verse from the Bible and bound to the left arm or forehead by Jewish men during prayer. Orthodox Jews still wear them.
the leaning tower of Pisa Completed in 1173 as the bell tower for the nearby cathedral of this city in Northern Italy, the tower began to lean almost immediately because of the sandy subsoil on which it was built, and is now about 5 cm out of the vertical.
the Barmecide supper The reference is to a story in the Arabian Nights Entertainment (see Volume 1, Chapter 4). Barmecide was a prince who served a beggar a series of empty plates, claiming that they held a delicious feast; the beggar enjoyed the joke. Here, it is an ironic comment on the poor quality and small quantity of the food at Lowood..jpg)
Cuyp-like groups of cattle Albert Cuyp (1620-91) was a Dutch painter famed for landscapes, which often contain groups of cattle grazing or drinking.
‘Better is a dinner of herbs .. and hatred therewith' Proverbs 15:17. This quotation prepares the reader for the final sentence of the chapter.
Investigating Volume 1, Chapter 8
- What kind of role does Miss Temple begin to play in Jane's life?
- How does this chapter contribute to the ideas of education developed in the novel? See Educational context.
- English Standard Version
- King James Version
1A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. 3The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. 4A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. 5A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. 6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. 7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. 8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. 9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness. 10There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. 11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man! 12A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. 13A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. 14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. 15All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast. 16Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. 17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. 18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. 19The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. 20A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother. 21Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead. 22Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. 23To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! 24The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath. 25The Lord tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow's boundaries. 26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure. 27Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live. 28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. 29The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones. 31The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. 32Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. 33The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. 3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. 4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. 5A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. 6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. 7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. 8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 9The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. 10Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. 11Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? 12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. 13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. 15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. 16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. 18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. 19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. 20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. 21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. 22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. 23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! 24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. 25The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. 26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. 27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. 28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. 29The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. 31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. 33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
The Bible describes God as the unique supreme being, creator and ruler of the universe.
In many religions, the place where God dwells, and to which believers aspire after their death. Sometimes known as Paradise.
The substantial collection of myths from the Ancient Greeks
A long struggle between the Greeks and the Trojans, recorded in Greek mythology but almost certainly based on real events.
The Christian Bible consists of the Old Testament scriptures inherited from Judaism, together with the New Testament, drawn from writings produced from c.40-125CE, which describe the life of Jesus and the establishment of the Christian church.
1) In the Bible a member of the Hebrew race
2) Someone who belongs to the Jewish faith which believes in one God and the importance of Jewish Law.
Generally a large and magnificent place of Christian worship that houses the 'cathedra' (the bishop's chair or throne).
