mama's, as if they had never seen a silk gown before.'" (Chapter 4 http://www.online-literature.com/brontec/janeeyre/4/) The hypocrisy is not only in the contrast of Mr. Brocklehurst's own girls wearing silks in while the pupils starve, but that the pupils are admonished to feel like they are sinners, just because they are unwanted and perhaps most in need and deserving of God's love. .

             In the book, Mr. Brocklehurst is an advocate of a 'bad' religion that terrifies rather than sustains life, which Bronte condemns. Ultimately, the pious friend of Jane, Helen Burns, will die because of the poor treatment she receives at the school, despite her religion. Later, at the end of the novel, Jane's religious suitor will also die, and a reference to him forms the end of the book: "No fear of death will darken St. John's last hour:  his mind will be unclouded, his heart will be undaunted, his hope will be sure, his faith steadfast." (Chapter 38 http://www.online-literature.com/brontec/janeeyre/38/) Although St. John is a good man, Bronte suggests that Jane's religion of inner (if not outer) defiance to the school's code, in contrast to Helen's submission, and her love of Mr. Rochester rather than accepting an unloving marriage of duty with St. John, is more life sustaining and thus a better religion. .

             The movie is less focused on religion, however, than the physical details of the poor life at the school, such as the children's suffering of coughing fits and the poor rations. The religious hypocrisy is less evident, rather the tortures of the school, like Jane having to wear a placard that says she is a liar, is more in evidence. .

             Later, the relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester seems to develop more quickly, in the balance of the film, and to have more screen time then in the book where Jane and St. John have a more lengthy debate about the best way to live. Jane asks for guidance from God, not from man, in her decision: "My spirit," I answered mentally, "is willing to do what is right; and my flesh, I hope, is strong enough to accomplish the will of Heaven, when once that will is distinctly known to me.