chapter nine

A very depressing time of Jane’s life. Most of Lowood school is ill with typhus, and, although Jane is not ill, many of her schoolmates die, and it is found that Helen is very ill, but not with typhus. Whilst Jane is out enjoying her freedom from disease, Helen is slowly dying of consumption (is this the same as tuberculosis?). Jane sneaks up to visit Helen, who ends up dying in her arms.

Themes

A slight mention of religion in this chapter, when Jane questions the existence of God, as he is letting one as wonderful as Helen dies. Helen is quick to quiet Jane’s fears, but Jane carries on doubting, in her head. It also shows a huge contrast between Helen and Jane's views of god and themselves; Helen believes that her going to heaven is a certainty, and that by dying young, she is avoiding all the suffering of later life. Jane, however, does not seem to fully believe she is going to get into heaven, and believes that to avoid hell she must try to avoid death.

Characters

• Mary Ann Wilson is a new friend for Jane, whilst Helen is bedridden. A funny girl, slightly older than Jane, she seems patient and a good person for Jane to interact with, although, according to Jane, she is nothing compared to Helen.
  

Narrative voice

This chapter starts with a joyful sounding voice, but with a bitter edge, as Jane realizes she was out enjoying the spring whilst her best friend was dying. As the chapter goes on, the writing gets more and more melancholy, as Helen's life slowly ebbs away

Words and phrases I liked

I loved the description of the woodlands and gardens of Lowood, with the tall hollyhocks and all the flowers in bloom.

Response

A very upsetting chapter, with a huge contrast between Jane’s time out in the spring, surrounded by new life and beautiful sights, whereas Helen is stuck in a world of sickness and death (is contrast a motif?). I thought the idea of Helen dying in Jane's arms was sweet, but slightly clichéd