How does Jane's character differ from the other women in the novel?

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English Coursework 27/01/02                                                                                               Jessica Roach 11A

How does Jane’s character differ from the other women in the novel?

Jane’s temperament is strong and unique and she share’s very few qualities with any of the other women in the novel. This is because, as a central character, Jane has to stand out and be individual. The other women in the novel are used to accentuate the qualities Jane has and enable comparison as well as helping to develop Jane’s character.

The beginning of the novel is set at Gateshead, where Jane spends the early years of her childhood. The cruelty Jane suffers at Gateshead, because of Aunt Reed and her cousin John, is what she struggles to overcome throughout the novel.

Aunt Reed is a fairly simple character who only features occasionally in the novel, but whose cruelty is constantly referred to as having scared Jane. Aunt Reed is portrayed as being cruel, manipulative and “hard-hearted.” She takes advantage of her power over Jane and treats her with “miserable cruelty”. Jane has a more caring nature than Mrs Reed, from whom she seeks only love. Jane is not malicious like her aunt and the only qualities they share are their strong willed principles and feminist attitude towards many circumstances. Aunt Reed’s significance in the novel is to create reader sympathy, the cruelty inflicted on Jane makes the reader understand and tolerate her flaws.

Eliza and Georgiana, Jane’s cousins at Gateshead, have nothing in common with her. They are arrogant, “idle”, “selfish,” and rude. They have little care or concern for any one else and often bully and torment Jane. They have a higher social class than Jane, which they think, entitles them to do what they please. There is nothing kind or loving about them. They are also the exact opposite of Jane’s other cousins Diana and Mary and the comparison is supposed to be made that at Gateshead Jane was miserable but at Marsh End she could be happier. The comparison is essential to show the development of Jane’s character, and when Jane returns to Gateshead, before Mrs Reed’s death, it is to show that she is mature and content despite the anguish she suffered.

Bessie only has a very small part in the novel, but it is relatively significant. She provides Jane with a substitute mother, who although does not always show it, cares for Jane, is very kind to her and consequently Jane “preferred her to any one else at Gateshead.” Jane and Bessie differ mainly in social position. Bessie is lower in rank than Jane but despite this often takes authority over her. Other than this their characters are quite similar, both are assertive and headstrong but Bessie has the wisdom of age.

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Helen Burns is a very significant supporting character in the novel, who Jane meets during her time at Lowood. She differs from Jane in almost everyway, therefore highlighting Jane’s qualities. Helen is passive, self-sacrificing and self-controlled. “It is not violence that best overcomes hate.” She devalues herself and is a saintly, Christ-like figure who “lives in calm, looking to the end.” Jane however, is assertive and passionate; she seeks happiness and reward in this world and only relies on God for guidance and support.

The differences between Jane and Helen’s characters help the reader to further understand Jane’s nature ...

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