She did it more for selfish reasons...

Jane Eyre reads the words in the stone tablet over the door bore. It was written ‘LOWOOD INSTITUTION – This portion was rebuilt by Naomi Brocklehurst, of Brocklehurst Hall, in this county. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven” – St.Mathew 5:16. After reading this, Jane was confused and pondered over it. She wanted to know the connection between the first words and the scripture. So Jane was very curious to know about that. She was finding a clue to get the reason for that verse. By the time she saw that girl, the book in that girl’s hand was a means of connecting them. As Jane wanted to know about the words written, she finds that the book in that girl’s hand may have any clues to know about the connection between the first words and the Scripture.

I think that this would be the reason for Jane to initiate this conversation with a stranger. I don’t think that Jane felt lonely at that time and also by reading the novel. I don’t think Jane is very gregarious by nature and loved socialising because Jane’s brought up is not like that. She had a sense of loneliness and isolation is evident in the way she hides herself behind thick curtains in a deserted room, ostracised by her aunt and cousins.

As Jane travels to Lowood School, she was alone and friendless. She sees the harsh treatment of the girls, the bad food and the regimented systems. Jane clearly recognises another kindred spirit. She is, however, confused by Helen’s acceptance of a seemingly unjust punishment. So Jane was to know what is happening around her in Lowood School. She wants to know whether everyone is bad. She fears that everyone there was unkind. She was in need of comfort and so she was asking questions to the girl. I think that the character and nature of Jane in the course of the conversation with Jane is little selfish. She wanted to know about the Lowood School not only for the sake of enquiring about the residence of girls. The main reason is that, she wants to survive. So I say that Jane was little bit selfish in this conversation.