Character Profiles
Character Profiles
Jane Eyre
- Jane Eyre is the protagonist and narrator of the novel.
- She is an orphan who is mistreated by her relatives, the Reeds.
- Jane's strength of character is established in her spirited response to her unfair treatment.
- As a student at Lowood School, Jane develops a sense of justice and a deep-seated belief in God.
- When she goes to work at Thornfield Hall, she falls in love with her employer, Mr. Rochester.
- Jane’s quest for love, independence, and a sense of self-worth shapes the novel.
Edward Rochester
- Edward Rochester is the master of Thornfield Hall.
- Before meeting Jane, he lived a life of excess and experienced disillusionment and regret.
- Rochester appreciates Jane's clarity, honesty, and strong moral character.
- His previous relationships are troubled, particularly his disastrous marriage to Bertha Mason, which was based on deception.
- Despite his faults, Rochester's capacity for change helps him to redeem himself in Jane's eyes.
St. John Rivers
- St. John Rivers is Jane's cousin and a clergyman with strong Christian ideals.
- He offers Jane proposal of marriage, but it's based on conventional duty not love.
- St. John is cold and detached, viewing emotions as distractions from his religious goals.
- He contrasts with Jane's other love interest, Mr. Rochester, who is characterized by passion and impulse.
- St. John serves as a foil to Rochester, highlighting the central theme of passion versus reason.
Bertha Mason
- Bertha Mason is Mr. Rochester’s first wife, whom he married under deceitful circumstances.
- She is mentally ill and kept hidden in the attic at Thornfield.
- Bertha's character embodies the Victorian beliefs about the 'madwoman' and the 'other'.
- She is a symbol of Rochester's past mistakes and his misguided approach to love and marriage.
- Bertha's existence reveals the darker side of Rochester’s character and the oppressive nature of Victorian marriage.
Helen Burns
- Helen Burns is Jane's friend at Lowood School.
- Helen displays deep religious faith and acceptance of her fate, influencing Jane's spiritual beliefs.
- She is based on Charlotte Bronte's sister Maria, who died of tuberculosis.
- Her death has a lasting impact on Jane, highlighting the novel's recurring theme of mortality.