Maria Temple, Character Analysis
Maria Temple is the head instructor and educator at Lowood Educational Institution. She is a vary kind woman who has devoted much of her life to the education and upbringing of orphaned girls who have nowhere else to go. She is kind to Jane immediately upon her arrival and after Mr. Brocklehurst reprimands her and puts her on a pedestal for all to see. Miss Temple takes Jane aside and asks if the descriptions of her given by Mr. Brocklehurst are true. Upon receiving information to the contrary, Miss Temple sends out for vitrifaction of Jane's word or that of Mr. Brocklehurst's. Once it is found out that Jane is in the right, Miss Temple sees to it that Jane is publicly exonerated.
Miss Temple also helps the school as a nurse when the plague comes and ravages the country. She puts herself in the path of danger in order to help the sick and dying children of the school. Miss Temple even goes so far as to keep Helen Burns in her own chamber as she is dying of consumption not the plague. Miss Temple does not punish Jane for sneaking into her room to bee with her friend even though it is strictly against school policy and Jane had no knowledge if Helen could be contagious.
Miss Temple also helps the school as a nurse when the plague comes and ravages the country. She puts herself in the path of danger in order to help the sick and dying children of the school. Miss Temple even goes so far as to keep Helen Burns in her own chamber as she is dying of consumption not the plague. Miss Temple does not punish Jane for sneaking into her room to bee with her friend even though it is strictly against school policy and Jane had no knowledge if Helen could be contagious.