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THE NEED TO BE LOVED The continual quest for love, acceptance, and a sense of value and belonging is a journey many people experience in their lives. This quest is a major theme in Charlotte Bronte’s novel Jane Eyre. This book follows the life of a young woman, Jane, in search of love and her place in the world, and the hardships she must face to obtain these. Jane’s search for love begins at a very young age. Her parents both die before she is ten years old and she is sent to live with her relatives, the Reeds. Her Uncle Reed dies soon after she arrives and she is left under the custody of her Aunt Reed, who hates her. Jane deeply resents the harsh treatment and lack of love she receives from her aunt and cousins. She is delighted when her aunt decides to send her off to Lowood Boarding School. Before leaving, however, Jane declares to her aunt “I am glad you are no relation of mine; I will never call you aunt again as long as I live” (Bronte, p27). Once at Lowood School Jane, at first, finds no more love or acceptance than at the Reeds. Mr. Broklehurst, the schools headmaster, is a cruel, hypocritical, and abusive Jones 2 man, and most of the teachers are strict and uncaring. She meets a young girl, Helen B