Even for Me Life Had its Gleams of Sunshine -Jane Eyre

2. How would you best describe the central idea of this chapter? Which phrase from the chapter best helps develop the central idea? 

I would describe the central idea of this chapter as characterizing Mr. Brocklehurst. This chapter explains Mr. Brocklehurst as a hypocritical superior who makes the girls suffer for their religion by forcing them to live by strict rules. The main point that the author wants you to understand is that Mr. Brocklehurst is the antagonist who is the reason for the administration of the strict rules the girls have to follow.  Mr. Brocklehurst shows hypocritical nature by saying the girls shouldn't wear expensive clothing, but in the same token, people in his family are wearing expensive clothing and showing it off for all to see. This chapter also reveals the character of Jane- it shows that she is the new girl who is punished for even the slightest mistake. Although, this punishment makes her seem glorified amongst the other girls, which may foreshadow to Jane breaking the rules more often in order to impress the other girls. 

The phrase from this chapter that best helps develop the central idea is "Should any little accidental disappointment of the appetite occur, such as the spoiling of a meal, the under or the over dressing of a dish, the incident ought not to be neutralised by replacing with something more delicate the comfort lost, thus pampering the body and obviating the aim of this institution; it ought to be improved to the spiritual edification of the pupils, by encouraging them to evince fortitude under temporary privation." This best develops the central idea because it reveals Mr. Brocklehurst's character as a demanding superior who wants the girls to live by a certain code set forth by his interpretation of the bible.