Jane Eyre (Edexcel GCSE English Literature): Exam Questions

In this extract, Jane tells Rochester that she has “as much soul” as him and must leave Thornfield.

Explain how independence is important elsewhere in the novel.

In your answer, you must consider:

• how Jane asserts her independence in her relationships

• how Jane gains financial independence later in the novel.

[20 marks]

Read the following extract from Chapter 5 of Jane Eyre and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the novel, after a long journey, Jane Eyre arrives at Lowood School and is taken by Miss Miller to the schoolroom.

Miss Miller signed to me to sit on a bench near the door, then walking up to the top of the long room, she cried out, –

‘Monitors, collect the lesson-books and put them away!’

Four tall girls arose from different tables, and going round, gathered the books and removed them. Miss Miller again gave the word of command –

‘Monitors, fetch the supper-trays!’

The tall girls went out and returned presently, each bearing a tray, with portions of something, I know not what, arranged thereon, and a pitcher of water and mug in the middle of each tray. The portions were handed round; those who liked took a draught of water, the mug being common to all. When it came to my turn, I drank, for I was thirsty, but did not touch the food, excitement and fatigue rendering me incapable of eating: I now saw, however, that it was a thin oaten cake, shared into fragments.

The meal over, prayers were read by Miss Miller, and the classes filed off, two and two, upstairs. Overpowered by this time with weariness, I scarcely noticed what sort of a place the bedroom was; except that, like the schoolroom, I saw it was very long. To-night I was to be Miss Miller’s bed-fellow; she helped me to undress: when laid down I glanced at the long row of beds, each of which was quickly filled with two occupants; in ten minutes the single light was extinguished; amidst silence and complete darkness, I fell asleep.

The night passed rapidly: I was too tired even to dream; I only once awoke to hear the wind rave in furious gusts, and the rain fall in torrents, and to be sensible that Miss Miller had taken her place by my side. When I again unclosed my eyes, a loud bell was ringing; the girls were up and dressing; day had not yet begun to dawn, and a rushlight or two burnt in the room. I too rose reluctantly; it was bitter cold, and I dressed as well as I could for shivering, and washed when there was a basin at liberty, which did not occur soon, as there was but one basin to six girls, on the stands down the middle of the room. Again the bell rang: all formed in file, two and two, and in that order descended the stairs and entered the cold and dimly-lit schoolroom: here prayers were read by Miss Miller; afterwards she called out –

‘Form classes!’

A great tumult succeeded for some minutes, during which Miss Miller repeatedly exclaimed, ‘Silence!’ and ‘Order!’

Explore how Brontë presents Jane Eyre’s observations of Miss Miller and Lowood School in this extract.

Give examples from the extract to support your ideas.

[20 marks]

In this extract, Jane describes her first few hours at Lowood School.

Explain how Jane’s experiences at Lowood School are presented elsewhere in the novel.

In your answer, you must consider:

• what Jane experiences at Lowood School

• who Jane meets at Lowood School and their influence on her.

[20 marks]