Miss Temple

Maria Temple is the kind superintendent of Lowood Institute in the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. She is twenty-nine years old and described as a “tall lady with dark hair, dark eyes, and a pale and large forehead” (Chapter 5, 19%) with a “stately air and carriage” (Chapter 5, 63%).

Maria Temple is a kind and compassionate woman. Unlike Brocklehurst, she cares about the students at Lowood and provides an example of positive Christian qualities. For example, when the students receive burnt porridge for breakfast, Miss Temple orders bread and cheese for them, for which they are grateful. In contrast, Brocklehurst reprimands Miss Temple for giving the students food and says that hunger will teach them humility. 

Maria Temple is particularly ki...