BoBo the Clown

 

Mrs. McDonald

 

English 8-8

 

17 January 2006

 

Facing Adversity

 

            People deal with the obstacles in their lives by either telling the truth or lying. Charlotte Bronte’s novel, Jane Eyre, illustrates this point very well. Jane Eyre tells the truth regardless of the consequences while John Reed lies and is rewarded. Jane and her cousin John face the adversity in their lives in opposite ways.

            Jane believes that a person must be truthful at all times while John uses deceit to his advantage at every opportunity. When John beats Jane without any provocation, Jane strikes back. After John informs Mrs. Reed of his version of the incident, she rewards him. When Jane tries to tell the truth, her aunt punishes her by locking her in the Red Room. Jane believes in the truth while John lies to achieve his goals.

            Jane feels compelled to tell the truth at all times while John lies if it will aid him in any way. John lies to his mother about his fight with Jane in order to win favor with her and to cause problems for Jane. Jane, however, insists on telling Mrs. Reed the truth even though she knows that she will be severely reprimanded for it. Some people tell the truth when in difficult situations whereas others lie in order to gain what they desire.