I feel that Currel Bell was (in the first part) thanking those who erad the book and liked it for what it was, a wonderfully made book, and not for the idea that it was represinting. I think Currel Bell made this Book to show that there are strong women out there, but to also show us that books can be about anything no matter how wild the idea is, and in this time a strong women was revolutionary.
In the Second part Currel Bell ridiculed those who did not know what a good book can be but instead focusing on the idea the book possed. It shows us that strong headed men can only look at a certian aspect of something from one side and not see it for what it could be.

Currer Bell is starts by giving her thanks to a select group of reviewers and critics. Then turning to a "small group" who insists on the book being a crime so to speak. this small group is under the impression that what ever is strange or out of the ordinary is wrong. much like in the case of religion i.e if you don't believe in god you are probable going to hell. Currer bell is simply suggesting that the standards of living are not the way of life, or the means to which one conducts there life "conventionality is not morality". 

theas post #2

This statement is intended for people who would take offense at Jane Eyre because it is about a strong woman. The analogy presented is that custom is not always correct and even though it is the practice of the time for women to be soft spoken or lacking intelligence that does not make it the just way of doing things. This analogy leads to the Currer Bell's point that "conventionality is not morality." This statement is here to urge the reader to accept the ideas in the book all though they are new and unfamiliar. It helps the Currer Bell to explain his stance on the book and to place a question in the minds of his audience which may help him to achieve presenting a new way of thought or practice.

This statement was intended/targeted to the critics of the time. It was intended for the male critics who would have not accepted the piece of work known as Jane Eyre. It was written in a way to imply and was assumed by all that the author was a male even though it was not gender specific. By everyone assuming that the novel was written by a man it protected her work, and aloud it to be accepted by the reading society. It aloud Charlotte Bronte to keep writing and have her work be accepted, and to be judged as an exceptional written work. After her work had been appreciated and beloved by the society she took the credit for her work.

this statement is intended for all readers who would have a statement to make about the author being a women and the unconventionality of her novel. these critics would be mostly men and also religious men, hence the religious reference to not lifting an impious hand to the crown of thorns. this makes it clear to critics that Bronte has no intent of sacrilege in her novel, and just because it is unconventional it is not necessarily wrong. this statement is there for the purpose of insulating Bronte from this criticism. This preface was not published until the second printing when Bronte took credit for writing the novel. To avoid criticism of her book and to help people to look at the book in a broader sense, she kept the alias Currer Bell to write a preface to the book explaining to the readers that while the novel portrays new and unconventional ideas, they are not wrong or sacrilegious, they are simply ideas

Currer Bell is refferring to critics who would base their criticisms upon the fact that she breaks so many societal 'walls' in the book, particularly those having to do with the roles of women. Bell explains that the conventional 'rules' are not necessarily 'correct', and to break those rules should not be seen as a big deal. This was an easy way to justify the content of Jane Eyre, especially since it was written by a woman. By Currer giving this disclaimer, Bronte was a little bit safer from ridicule.

The author, Currer Bell, is intending to put the novel in perspective. "He" does not want critics to judge the book because of the sin of bigotry, but to exam the book as a whole. Bell is saying that not conforming to the establishment is not immoral or wrong, and that just becauses her work has new ideas and concepts in it that some might consider wrong it does not go agianst religion. This preface is intended for the holy men of the church and those who would condem it to not do so. Its purpose is to, hopefully, persuade the reader to not judge the book because it involves ideas considered wrong.

Currer Bell is referring to those who would judge her writing by her gender. She is trying to say that if she is to be found out, she hopes her book will not bet read in a different light. At the time, there were many people who were against women having a significant place in society. She was trying to get the point across that one would not go out of one's way to tarnish something considered beautiful, and that her work cold be considered the beautiful object in need of protctection. It is basicly insurance from her critisizers. By telling the reader to look at the book as an individual text, she re overs herself from judgement.

I believe that this caption of the article is intended for those who would disagree with the basic principle of equality for women. Currer Bell in all subtlety, is saying that the traditional values of the society where women are not equal to men is not morally correct, "Conventionality is not morality." Charlotte Bronte's use of playing under the pseudonym of Currer Bell is able to express her thoughts towards those who where apart of the societal outrage of Jane Eyre. Currer Bell challenges their beliefs by stating that the work of her book is not sinful or lifting an "impious hand to the crown of thorns." (Bell vi) but instead, pointing out the social injustice towards women.

In his preface, Currer Bell boldly but respectfully responds to Bronte's critics by telling them they are over reacting. By telling them that "To pluck the mask from the face of the Pharisee, is not to lift an impious hand to the Crown of Thorns," he pushes it in their faces that everything she wrote is a play on their dysfunctional and unjust world. Even though at this point it was known that Bronte had written Jane Eyre, "Bell's" daring statement as the editor put up a barrier for her by giving critics a little slap on the wrist. While he admits that his book is different, he justifies his work by 'reminding' them that "Conventionality is not morality."

Currer Bell is addressing the large amount of critics who denounced Jane Eyre and questioned the sex of the author writing such a rebellious book. Currer Bell is well aware of the bigotry surrounding the novel and is not afraid to make a point very clear: look beyond the author, beyond the base plot line, and instead look into the lives of the characters depicted in the novel. In the line, "I would suggest to such doubters certain obvious distinctions; I would remind them of certain simple truths." Currer Bell is saying not to ponder who scripted the pages of the book, but rather to enjoy the simple truths behind the story, the truths that people are aware of but rarely pay any attention too. These truths are those of love, choosing between good and bad, things that people are always forced to face, but, at least in those times, did not want to see in a novel. 

Writing this preface about the theme of self-righteousness in Jane Eyre protected Charlotte Bronte against critic's harsh words because she put herself out there. She openly recognized that Jane Eyre is a book meant to shock people, meant to make them think. She also addresses the bigotry that revolves around the novel and states that she is well aware of it. This shields her from critics because she knows what they are going to say before they say it, preparing herself for whatever cruel words may come. Being aware of her novel and the public outcry it created makes her a stronger person because she is not hiding anything from herself and is not asking the public to hide their opinions either.

Tony's Preface Response #2

"Currer Bell" is speaking to those who disapprove of Jane Eyre and its immoral aspects to that time period. Currer Bell is making a note to the "small class" who criticizes Jane Eyre, that you don't have to be conventional in order to be moral. And is also saying that if you cut down on her, there are still always going to be books with immoral whether you like it or not. So basically the author is asking not to have the book judged for its small imperfections with morality, but, to judge the book for its general story.

Currer Bell is trying to discourage readers from judging the book harshly because it challenged the status quo. When she says "Conventionality is not morality. Self-righteousness is not religion." She is saying that she people should not follow the opinions of the establishment because of it’s biases, but rather form an opinion based on it’s own artistic merit. She also uses an obscure biblical reference to show how the book is not anti religious but rather disagrees with select interpretations of Christian morality.

Currer Bell makes several proud and strong statements in the paragraph. It calls out many of her critics and appears to direct responses to many of their disagreements with the novel Jane Eyre. She makes her clearest point in saying "in whose eyes whatever is unusual is wrong". Her critics who found the out of the ordinary, feminist, and somewhat radical for the time plot line's within the novel to be disgraceful and and upsetting. What Currer Bell points out to those critics in the before mentioned quote is that, yes, the subject matter in the book may be different and new, but that does not make it wrong or anything to fear. They are subjects that should be discussed, even if they appear to be radical. It is wrong to ignore them and to dismiss them as subjects that should not be spoken of because they are unusual.