Download Informal Essay 1

Ceballos 1
Richard Ceballos
Mrs. Elliott
Informal Essay
October 20, 2008
Morals vs. Pleasures
Most of the time our morals and ethics push us to distinguish those who do not
conform to societies regulations, as seen throughout the selected text of Charlotte Brontë
by Jane Eyre. Mr. Brocklehurst callously acknowledges Julia Severn for her naturally
curled and lavish red hair, pointing out how it fails to meet up to societies ethical set of
laws. Mr. Brocklehurst seems to be infatuated by her characteristics, but yet his morals
clash with his personal interest in Julia. Miss Temple is also there to create contrast and
opposition, for she objects to Mr. Brocklehurst’s views and seems to understand his
inner-turmoil. The author also builds irony throughout the piece to show the hypercritical
behavior of people (like Mr. Brocklehurst), while focusing on major themes such as
religion and gender and pointing out the difficulty of balancing ethics and personal
desires.
In general, Mr. Brocklehurst is conservative, religious, and ignorant. His
“majestic” survey of the “whole school” shows how he tends to be ethically critical when
it comes to judging others. He does not approve of Julia Severn’s hair, ignoring the fact
that her “hair curls naturally.” He is a man of tradition, suggesting that Julia’s hair be
“arranged closely, modestly, plainly.” Mr. Brocklehurst refuses to allow Julia's hair draw
any attention to others, especially himself. The fact that her hair distracts him possibly
reveals his secret attraction towards her. The way he also holds “his hands behind his
back” creates this image that he is of social hierarchy and he is the “judge” of others, but
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he does not care to judge himself, something that Miss Temple notices.
Miss Temple is somewhat opposed to the views of Mr. Brocklehurst. She, being a
woman, has a more sympathetic attitude towards Julia Severn, defending and standing up
for her in a euphemistic manner. When she replies “very quietly”, then “still more
quietly”, and then smoothes “away the involuntary smile” this implies that she is
somewhat amused by Mr. Brocklehurst’s reaction and by his endless effort to dictate
others’ lives. She “remonstrates” Mr. Brocklehurst’s views and creates contrast with the
character of Mr. Brocklehurst. Miss Temple is well aware of his conflicting emotions
towards the situation and sees the keen distraction Julia brings to him. Overall, his quick
judgment of others illustrates his urge to control human nature around him.
The beginning of the scene is all about Mr. Brocklehurst pointing out Julia
Severn’s “curled red hair”, which is highly symbolic. Throughout the whole scene Mr.
Brocklehurst is developed and depicted to be this religious character that is very
traditional and conservative. Julia's red hair, to him, symbolizes the wildness of nature, a
break away from society, a non-conformist feature. In general, the color red comes to
symbolize passion, desire, love, and lust. Mr. Brocklehurst is attracted to and fascinated
by Julia's lustful hair, but yet his beliefs do not approve of her beauty and appearance.
The situation is so ironic because Mr. Brocklehurst experiences inner turmoil within and
is this religious figure that is experiencing conflict with his morals and desires, which
contradicts with our ideal view of a clergyman. We automatically assume that a
clergyman is free of desire and that his life is centered on morality and religious law. He
lives a life of hypocrisy, something discussed in the cup and platter reference.
The cup and platter scriptural reference is all about hypocritical activities. This
reference is ironic because of how duplicitous Mr. Brocklehurst is in the passage. He
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gives the reader this first impression that he is holy and everyone else who does not obey
by the Evangelical rules are destined to burn in hell. It’s easy for him to exercise his
morals on society, but yet he forgets to exercises those same rules in his life. He is harsh
towards everyone else, but yet his judgment never hangs over himself. This is what Jesus
warned us about in Matthew, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment
you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you
get.” Jesus seriously warned everybody to stay away from religious hypocrisy, “And
when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the
synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you,
they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door
and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward
you."
The two quotes encourage people to have a personal relationship with God, rather
then be like Mr. Brocklehurst and allow religion to justify every action. The author
reveals how hard it is to be dedicated to religion, especially when we are at constant war
with our desires. I chose this piece because of the valuable idea that author points out
about religion. I understand that hypocrisy is common among human nature because of
our contradicting characteristics, but a religious hypocrite who struggles to control the
lives’ of others usually spends so much time concentrating on the actions of others, they
forget about their own issues they have. Religious hypocrisy still is a continuing issue
today. What the author encourages us to do is to maintain a balance within personal
interests and morals, just like in Frankenstein with Victor Frankenstein and how his
personal desires interfere with his morality. One should maintain a balance like Julia
Severn does later throughout the book. If one pushes aside their morals, life is then
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centered on pleasure, then there is no sense of morality. If one pushes aside their
pleasures, then life can be much more miserable than it already is. Mr. Brocklehurst, with
no personal pleasure, thinks his miserable life allows him to make other people’s lives
despondent. Overall one can only achieve satisfaction when they balance these two, then
true happiness will be obtainable.