Chapter IV Summary

While waiting to go to school, Jane's cousins do not speak with her and her bed is moved from the nursery to a closet. She is forbidden to go to most of the social rooms of the house. Once, John approaches her and Jane punches his nose. Mrs. Reed admonishes Jane and Jane asks if Mr. Reed would have treated her thus. Jane is then excluded from all of the holiday festivities of November and December. She has a toy doll and Bessie for company. However, Bessie is kind to Jane during this time, often kissing Jane as she tucks her into bed.

On January 15 Jane is called to the breakfast room, which she fearfully enters to find herself in the company of Mrs. Reed and a Mr. Brocklehurst, who asks her religious questions and lectures her. Mrs. Reed slanders Jane's...