Jane’s Relationships

By: Kaylee Dittenbir & Logan Gould

 HELEN BURNS
➢ Jane approaches Helen after class, seeing that she had been mistreated by the teacher’s. Helen
had complete self control and was reasonable throughout the situation, something that Jane lacked
at the time. Their friendship begins when Jane does not leave Helen alone to read. She continues to
ask questions and annoy Helen until a full conversation is started.

➢ From Jane's time with Helen, she learns many valuable lessons from her. The most important ones
include controlling anger, treating others with respect to gain respect, and being unbothered by
others opinions.

➢ Helen is not bothered by death; she is actually confident. She feels as though it is her time and the
end of her suffering. She is okay with it due to her satisfaction with life.
➢ Bronte arouses the readers admiration towards Helen by making her so mature for her age and being
the first support system for Jane that the reader see throughout the novel. She also uses pathos to
receive sympathy for being an orphan and her illness as well.

➢ In Helens speech, she expresses how forgiveness and letting go of anger has helped her feel free.
Helen has a strong faith, explaining how she views God as forgiving and only believes in a welcoming
Heaven. From this speech, it is concluded that Helen is very mature and reliable.

➢ Helen was a very religious person who had strong beliefs. These beliefs helped impact Jane to make
rational decisions throughout the novel. The gravestone carving explains Helens similarities to Christ
and his motivational actions.
 Mrs. Reed
➢ Mrs. Reed dislikes Jane due to the unfairness of their situation. She feels as though
she needs to forge her own path in life. Due to Janes maturity over Mrs. Reed, Jane is
able to forgive her aunt, even after the abusive situations that Mrs. Reed had put her
through. However, Mrs. Reed continues to be selfish and will not be kind to Jane,
even on her deathbed.

➢ At first, Mrs. Reed succeeds at harming Jane from depriving her of the inheritance
because all Jane wanted was to have a family connection. Mrs. Reed stripped that
from her when she refused her uncle John's adoption offer. However, Mrs. Reed
eventually fails at depriving Jane because she receives both the money and family
ties while at St. Johns house.

➢ Jane becomes a more independent person because of Mrs. Reed and her cousins.
While Jane lived with them, she was forced to face blame and consequences, even
when they weren’t her wrong doing. It also pushed her to take on tough tasks by
herself; Jane did not depend on many people. In result, Jane continued to work hard
to receive the things that she wanted in life.

➢ Mrs. Reed's reappearance shows how much more mature and independent Jane is
compared to both Mrs. Reed and the girls.
 St. John Rivers
➢ Jane’s relationship with St. John is very complex. They go their lives without
knowing each other, and by chance find each other in a hard time in Jane's life.
They find they are related, yet St. John insists on marrying her. I believe that St.
John may be attractive to many women because he is hard working and always
trying to do the right thing. However, the feels between Jane and St. John are
not real. Jane rejects the proposal due to her feelings with Rochester. While St.
John wants this marriage because of the practical result of them both being hard
working, there are no feelings between the two, which Jane could not live with.

➢ St. John is another religious figure, much like Helen Burns. This show’s how
important religion is to him, and in the time period. They are both portrayed to
have a good impact on the world. However, they both keep to themselves a lot
and are fairly distant with those around them.
➢ Jane introduces St. John as an independent, hard working person
who is sincere with religion. Yet, he is also cold and distant. He
seems to have his life together, but is very lonely. To continue, I
believe that the ending with St John Rivers shows the reader what
could of happened; Jane could of work herself to death as society
requires her to do but instead she had a nice, long, comfortable life
with Rochester. The ending of this novel tied up loose ends,
providing a satisfying outcome to all the conflicts that the
characters faced throughout their journeys.
 Mr. Rochester
➢ Jane and Rochester start their journey as employee and boss. Due to
Jane’s lack of beauty, he hardly notices her personality. As time goes on
and they begin to become honest and comfortable with each other, they
become friends. From there, their friendship develops in a lust, and
eventually a relationship. Rochester choses Jane over Blanche due to
Jane’s independence, honesty, plain.

➢ Through Jane’s first person point of view, it is easy to understand her

feelings and troubles that she experiences. Using Jane’s vivid imagery
and diction, the reader sees Rochesters immaturity, yet how
compassionate he is towards Jane. The reader can also easily see the
harsh difference in needs and wants between the two characters,
bringing conflict into the novel.

➢ The finding of Bertha is one of the most important events in the novel,
and the mystery surrounding her is the leading source of the suspense.
Without the reveal of Bertha, I think that the hidden secrets to lead to a
failed marriage anyway.
➢ The remarks to the reader help us experience Jane’s growth through her
journey and how satisfied she is with her life with Rochester. Jane is no longer
worried about her independence or the factor of money by the end; she is only
happy to be with Rochester.

➢ Bronte uses the quote, “Only the master had been reading in bbbis bed last
night. He fell asleep with his candle lit and the curtains caught fire; but,
fortunately, he woke before the bed - clothes - or the wood word caught” (131).
This quote is one of many that proves the theme for sanity and madness. It
shows how crazy the Thornfield situation is and is used for foreshadowing.
Earlier in the novel Bronte uses, “but where are you going to; Helene? Can you
see? Do you know? ‘I believe, I have faith: I am going to god. He is my maker
and yours, who will never destroy what he created. I rely implicitly on his
power, and confide holy in his goodness’” (69). This quote contributes to how
powerful of an impact Helen is leaving on Jane; she only wants Jane to
succeed and open her eyes to better opportunities.
➢ Throughout the novel, I feel as though the effects of the supernatural matter more than
the causes. The supernatural allows the reader to explore the characters' feelings;
especially Jane's fears. The most important supernatural moment in the novel was Jane
and Rochester's telepathic moment when Rochester calls out her name. In the text, Jane
makes it clear that the connection was not supernatural to her. Instead, she considers
that moment a mysterious spiritual connection. This scene is used as part of love and
religion. Therefore, I think the supernatural elements are more powerful than the normal.