Jane Eyre

Question #2

In the text, it becomes evident there is a central idea focusing around the marginalization or silencing of the girls in the school. In context, the girls in the school are essentially required to have straight hair, that does not stand out. The principle, a male, happens to notice Julia, a new girl in the class who has her hair curled all over; unlike the rest of the class. This small and insignificant detail happens to be the factor that contributes to her getting punished by the principle.

The girls are all being silenced because of the fact that they cannot control how they wish to portray themselves, regardless of style or personal choice. Their choices are being controlled by the principle who makes it clear that following his strict rules is the only option. A phrase from the text helps depict this cruel marginalization, "She [Julia] possesses the ordinary form of childhood; God has graciously given her the shape that he has given to all of us; no signal deformity points her out as a marked character" (Paragraph 47). This example is paramount to the central idea of the text because the principle is stating his justification for calling her out in front of the class. He is embarrassing her and using fearmongering to force her to apply to the rules; no personal characterization. The principle and the school system in general, is silencing the girls right to choice and personal opinion. All of the girls are being portrayed as equal, and they are not allowed to stand out in any way from each other. Overall, the central idea of the text is that the girls are being silenced and controlled by a male dominant principle, who uses fearmongering to make the girls apply to his rules. The significance of marginalization of the girls to make them feel inferior is a critical part of the text.