I had meant to be so good, and to do so much at Lowood; to make so many friends, to earn respect, and win affection. Already I had made visible progress: that very morning I had reached the head of my class; Miss Miller had praised me warmly; Miss Temple had smiled approbation; she had promised to teach me drawing, and to let me learn French, if I continued to make similar improvement two months longer: and then I was well-received by my fellow-pupils; treated as an equal by those of my own age, and not molested by any: now, here I lay again crushed and trodden on; and could I ever rise more?
– Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre, Chapter 8. Education is very important to Jane who is eager to use her time in Lowood School to improve herself in subjects like art and French. She also yearns for respect and affection, which she did not experience while in Gateshead. She reports progress with the help of the kindly and compassionate Miss Temple. But she now feels crushed again by Mr. Brocklehurst’s public humiliation of her.