Can't Bury These Tales

Jane Eyre Question 4

What does Mr. Brocklehurst’s analogy between the ill-prepared breakfast and the “sufferings of the primitive Christians…the torments of martyrs…the exhortations of our blessed Lord Himself” reveal about his character? How does this attitude contrast with that of Miss Temple to reveal the author’s social message?

Based on the limited views or interactions that I have had with Mr. Brocklehurst in this reading, he already seems like a hypocritical, self centered jerk, who is simply using the school as a way to seem like a better person and make money. His analogy concerning the breakfast versus the trials and tribulations of early Christians shows Mr. Brocklehurst as a smooth talking sleaze bag, since he is using religion as a way to justify his own ends. He tries to claim that forcing children to skip breakfast because the cook messed it up is comparable to being crucified for refusing to stop preaching what you believe in. This is absolutely wrong and immediately makes me dislike Mr. Brocklehurst as a person. It does not help my opinion of him when his lady friends arrive, all extravagantly dressed and very fashionable for the time period. I inferred that Mr. Brocklehurst was providing the clothes for these women, which makes him the ultimate hypocrite for preaching to Miss Temple about humility and sobriety. It also shows that he has plenty of money, more than enough to provide decent clothes or food to the children at the school so that they don't die, as opposed to fake hair curls for his wife so she can look fancy.
Mr. Brocklehurst puts on a false front of piety and charity, but in the end all he really cares about is himself. Miss Temple on the other hand, is strict but fair in the passage. She does not baby or pamper the students at the school, but at the same time she is not unfairly cruel to them either. This creates an interesting contrast in the passage. At first glance, Mr. Brocklehurst seems to be the kinder of the two, the one that you would rather be in charge of the school, but when you actually look deeper, Miss Temple is far preferable to Mr. Brocklehurst. This shows the author's message that it is better to be honest and strict, than to pretend to be kind, or to only be kind to certain people. If money is your goal, and it is valued more than your morals, you will end up as a very evil and unliked person.