Jane Eyre

This passage explores the relationship between two children, John Reed and the narrator and about how John Reed continually abuses the narrator.

This passage also explores the feelings of the narrator and of the cruel treatment she receives from her Aunt and her cousin. In providing a detailed description of John Reed, the narrator succeeds in creating contrast between her and John Reed in both appearance and behavior.

The narrator's description of John Reed indicates to the reader that he is an overly-pampered child. This becomes evident when we realize that John's mother had taken him out of school because of 'his delicate health' which his school master believed was due to the over consumption of 'sweetmeats and cakes.' However his mother turned a deaf ear to the school master's opinion and was certain that John's condition resulted because of him 'pining after home.'

John Reed is also portrayed as a heartless, inhumane and cruel boy who not only insults the young narrator not only verbally, but also physically. John had 'no affection for his mother or his sisters' and bore a strong resentment for the narrator because he felt that he was superior to the narrator who was an orphan and had no money.

John is also viewed as a disgusting boy with poor manners. 'Large and stout... with dingy and unwholesome skin [and with] thick lineaments in a spacious visage, [John Reed] had heavy limbs and large extremities'. His habit of gorging himself at the table made him bilious and obese.

The narrator explains the relationship between her and John Reed as that of immense fear. 'Every morsel of flesh on [the narrator's] bones shrank when [John Reed] came near' because she 'was bewildered by the terror that he inspired. Unfortunately, for the narrator she had no shelter from John's constant bullying; neither from the servants nor her aunt who being an irresponsible adult, was 'blind and deaf on that subject.'

Furthermore, the narrator demonstrates the relationship between herself and John Reed as that of 'habitual obedience'. She was so accustomed to John Reed's abuse that she 'knew he would strike soon' but even she was taken aback by his sudden and strong blow. He explains that she