Religion in Jane EyreCharlotte Bronte addresses the theme of religion in the novel JaneEyre using many characters as symbols. Bronte states: "Conventionality is not morality. Hypocrisy is not religion" (preface v). In Jane Eyre, Bronte supports the theme that customary actions are not always moral through the conventional personalities of Mrs. Reed, Mr. Brocklehurst, and St. John Rivers. The novel begins in Gateshead Hall when Jane has to stay away from her aunt and cousins. because he doesn't know how to talk to them in a pleasant way. Mrs. Reed holds a higher position in society. Because of Jane's lower class position, Mrs. Reed treats Jane as an outcast. As Bessie and Miss Abbot drag Jane into the "red room," a very frightening room for a child, Miss Abbot tells her, "No; you are less than a servant because you do nothing for your support" (14). she must remain in the red room after reacting to the attack that John Reed launched against her, her hateful cousin. John says to Jane "mother says; you have no money; your father left you none; you should beg, and not live here with the sons of gentlemen like us, and eat the same meals as we do, and wear clothes at the expense of our mother" (12). He receives no love or approval from his family. The only form of love she has is the doll she clings to at night when she sleeps. Mrs. Reed is a conventional woman who believes that her social position makes her superior, and therefore better than a member of her own family. Because of Jane's tantrums, short temper, and lack of self-control, society classifies her as an immoral person. She speaks up for herself when she knows she shouldn't, and her family believes she behaves more like a "rebel" than a young woman. Her spontaneous and violent actions go against convention and she has to suffer to be so free. Miss Abbot believes, "God will punish her: he may strike her in the midst of her tantrums"; (15). Jane's temper tantrums are not usual or acceptable, so during those specific moments of her tantrums, she is especially susceptible to God's punishment. Miss Abbot constantly reminds Jane that she is evil, needs to repent, and depends especially from prayer. The Reed children, on the other hand, are treated in completely the opposite way. Although John Reed is cruel and cruel to Jane, he does not receive any kind of warning that God will punish him.