During these eight years my life was uniform, but not unhappy, because it was not inactive…Miss Temple, through all changes, had thus far continued superintendent of the seminary; to her instruction I owed the best art of my acquirements; her friendship and society had been my continual solace; she had stood me in the stead of mother, governess, and latterly, companion…From the day she left I was no longer the same; with her was gone every settled feeling, every association that had made Lowood in some degree a home to me.
– Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre, Chapter 10. Jane reflects on the eight years she spends at Lowood, six as a student and two as a teacher. During that time she is sustained by the friendship and guidence of Miss Temple, who is like a mother to her. While Miss Temple is there, Lowood is like home to Jane. But from the day Miss Temple leaves, Jane no longer experiences that sense of belonging at the school.