As Due by Many Titles I Resign My Self to Thee, O God Â...

In looking at this question, it is my opinion that it is arousing a discussion of the self-denial that religion imposes and also the conflict it imposes on the self. For this I will primarily be looking at Charlotte Brontes ‘Jane Eyre and the poetry of John Donne. The progression of Jane Eyres life is shown by a variety of links to religion due to the many changes in her way of life. Bronte shows her childhood at Gateshead in a passively religious context, but the Red Room scene in Chapter 2 gives the reader an insight into Janes childhood worries of life and death. The contrast of crimson cloth with a snowy Marseilles counterpane (Bronte, Chap 2 ‘Jane Eyre) provides the reader with thoughts of purity versus sin and passion and†¦show more content†¦In contrast, ‘Jane Eyre and Donnes poetry portrays two people with different religious experience and beliefs. Janes best friend at Lowood, Helen Burns, is of a deeply religious disposition and it is her death that shows a link to Janes later thoughts on life and God when faced with the prospect of marrying her cousin St John: I am sure there is a future state; I believe God is good; I can resign my immortal part to him without any misgiving. God is my father; God is my friend: I love him; I believe he loves me. (Bronte, Chap 9 ‘Jane Eyre) Jane questions her relationship with God at this point as she is scared of losing her friend, but Helen reassures her, even though she seems not to believe, by saying, You will come to the same region of happiness: be received by the same mighty, universal Parent, no doubt, dear Jane. (Bronte, Chap 9 ‘Jane Eyre). The interesting aspect to me is the link here to Jane ending her engagement to St John. It is almost as though through Helens death, Bronte is showing us the development of Janes religious side due to life experience. Jane decides she cannot marry St John and tells him, God did not give me my life to throw away (Bronte, Chap 35 ‘Jane Eyre) and superstitiously because of the engagement break-off, prayed in my way Ââ€" a different way to St Johns, but effective in its own fashion (Bronte,