home » stories » thoughtssearch within stories
I am in the middle of reading Jane Eyre (written by Charlotte Brontë). I am quite sure that I bought this book when in elementary school, but I know that I didn't finish it. Now, close to 60 years older, I find the vocabulary (in my edition) sometimes hard and old.
Today, in reading and studying James 3:8 about controlling the tongue, I was reminded of what I learned while reading Jane Eyre yesterday. In chapter 6, Helen Burns was harshly chastised by Miss Scatcherd, including flogging with branches that she had to go and fetch. All the while, Burns does not complain, flinch, or lash out in any fashion (as Jane had done shortly before being sent to this school, and Jane thought rightfully so). The evening after the flogging, Jane came upon Burns, and they became better acquainted, since they had only minimal interaction before. Jane says to Helen that Miss Scatcherd is cruel, but Helen rebukes her and says, "Not at all! She is severe: she dislikes my faults." Jane tells her that in her stead, she would have grabbed the stick that was being used to beat her and "break it under her nose". Helen indicated that would lead Jane to being expelled (and causing grief to Jane's relatives) and then Helen says: "It is far better to endure patiently a smart which nobody feels but yourself, then to commit a hasty action whose evil consequences will extend to all connected with you; and beside, the Bible bids us to return good for evil." Jane then brings up the disgrace of Helen being publicly flogged, but Helen responds "it would be your duty to bear it." As the conversation continues, Jane indicates that she is kind to those who give her favor and resists those who she feels dislike her. Helen's response (a bit older at 14, and certainly wiser) says, "Heathens and savage tribes hold that doctrine but Christians and civilized nations disown it." When Jane doesn't understand, Helen continues, "It is not violence that best overcomes hate -- nor vengeance that most certainly heals injury. Read the New Testament, and observe what Christ says, and how He acts; make His word your rule, and His conduct your example." To Jane's question about what Christ says, Helen answers, "Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you and despitefully use you." All of this is so foreign to Jane, and she wrestles with these issues.
What Helen is suggesting, indirectly, to the notion of controlling one's tongue, is employing the Golden Rule and learning and following the examples that Jesus gave us. Just do what Christ did. Can we try to do that?
Published 2026-07-13.
If you find any errors in the text, please let me know. Thanks. Contact me with errors or comments using hibbardac@gmail.com. [Back to the top] [About the author, Al]