Mrs Reed was supposedly a very devout, good Christian woman, but her treatment of Jane Eyre illustrates that she was hypocritical and did not follow the word in the gospel
When Jane's uncle asks Mrs Reed about Jane, Mrs Reed tells him she doesn't know and is probably dead, as an act of revenge to prevent Jane's social climb
Mrs Reed is characterized as a very hateful character, the primary antagonist who gives Jane a massive challenge in her early years, but also teaches Jane about forgiveness