The definitions of luxury and right are fluidly related to each other (Berry 18). Things that once seemed excessive become social necessities: items that everyone deserve and should be provided, regardless of one's ability to pay (Berry 18). Christopher J. Berry asserts that, because of the transient nature of luxury and right just described, "there can be no right to a luxury" (18). Similar to Berry's assertion is one of John Sekora's definitions of luxury: "anything to which one has no right or title" (25). This definition has an interesting corollary: if one has a right to something, then it is not a luxury. These definitions are pertinent to the discussion of Jane Eyre. It exactly corresponds to the social dichotomy at Gateshead while Jane is living with her aunt and cousins.
The Reed children inhabit extremely comfortable surroundings and live self-indulgently. Notably, John Reed indulges himself-especially regarding food. He "habitually gorge[s] himself at table, which ma[kes] him bilious," and gives him "flabby cheeks" (41; ch. 1). His schoolmaster believes that he has too many "cakes and sweetmeats sent him from home" which prevents him from maintaining his health at school (41; ch. 1). Beyond his luxurious eating habits, John Reed does not deny or control himself in other ways, having what Jane calls "violent tyrannies" (46; ch. 2):
John is never thwarted, much less punished, though he twisted the necks of pigeons, killed the little pea-chicks, set the dogs at the sheep, stripped the hothouse vines of their fruit, and broke the buds off the choicest plants in the conservatory; he called his mother "old girl," too; sometimes reviled her for her dark skin, similar to his own; bluntly disregarded her wishes; not infrequently tore and spoiled her silk attire; and he was still "her own darling." (47; ch.2)Like John, the Reed girls, Eliza and Georgiana, also live self-indulgent lives. At Christmas, they wear "thin muslin frocks and scarlet sashes, with their hair elaborately ringleted," and participate in all of the festivities (60; ch. 4). Their behaviors are excused rather than controlled: "Eliza, who was headstrong and selfish, was respected. Georgiana, who had a spoiled temper, a very acrid spite, a captious and insolent carriage, was universally indulged. Her beauty, her pink cheeks, and golden curls, seemed to give delight to all who looked at her, and to purchase indemnity for every fault" (46-47; ch. 2). These behaviors are far worse than what Jane exhibits, yet they are excused while Jane's are condemned.
The Reeds do not question whether it is proper for them to enjoy their high standard of living while denying it to Jane. Their response is that those privileges are "intended only for contented, happy little children" (39; ch.1). In spite of her aunt's promise to her dying uncle (48; ch. 2), the family members do not treat Jane as if she is equal to them, but maintain physical separation from her because of the class distinction between themselves and her (39; ch. 1, 45; ch. 2). For example, they exclude her from all of the Christmas and New Year's festivities; while they enjoy gift-giving, parties, dinners served on china, entertainment, and new clothes, Jane is only a spectator (60; ch. 4).
The Reeds believe that Jane has no "right or title" to such privileges and constantly remind her of her lower station as well as their magnanimity towards her (39; ch. 1; 44-45; ch. 2). In one instance, Jane's cousin, "Master John," slaps her for her impudence and tells her:
You have no business to take our books; you are a dependent, mamma says; you have no money; your father left you none; you ought to beg, and not live here with gentlemen's children like us, and eat the same meals we do, and wear clothes at our mamma's expense. (42; ch. 1)Here we see how rights and luxury are intertwined. Jane is poor and has no right to comfortable clothes, delicious food, or books to read. However, John and his sisters, as children of a gentleman, deserve all of the comforts they inherit. The nineteenth-century took a moral stand against luxury (Berry 4), but the Reeds have no problem living sumptuously because they deserve it. It is not really luxury. It is their right.
While the Reeds enjoy their "right," Jane is reminded of the
"luxuriousness"
of her situation. When Miss Abbot and Bessie take Jane forcefully
upstairs,
they rebuke her for attacking her "benefactress's son," though she does
not instigate the fight (44; ch.2). She is frequently punished and
condemned
for her behavior, though she tries to be a good child. Jane asks
herself,
"Why was I always suffering, always browbeaten, always accused, forever
condemned? . . .I dared commit no fault; I strove to fulfill every
duty;
and I was termed naughty and tiresome, sullen and sneaking" (46-47; ch.
2). Though she has been treated cruelly and unmercifully, Miss Abbot
tells
Jane that, because of her poverty and her inherent inequality with the
Reeds, she should be thankful for what she gets (45; ch. 2). As a poor
person, she inherits no rights to comforts or even kindness, at least
as
far as the Reed family is concerned. Therefore, whatever she gets is
more
than she deserves and is, contrary to what we may suppose, a luxury.