St. John Rivers

        Jane decides to reject St. Johns offer of marriage because she thinks that he is trying to force her into it in a way, when he states “you shall be mine”. She does not see her self as being “fit for it” because she doesn’t think she can give her all in a the position of a missionaries wife – she will have to give up all her emotional ties and start anew by living the life of a missionaries wife since things like this are forgotten in this line of work. She tells St. John to “abandon” his scheme of marriage, and to “forget it” because she feels so strongly against it.
        Jane’s relationship with St. John is similar to that with Helen Burns because she looks up to, and respects St. Johns way of looking at life according to his faith in the same way she did with Helen at the time she spent with her at Lowood. Even though she respects their views on their faith, in both cases she does not wish to alter her own beliefs because of St. Johns or Helens beliefs. She has her own faith, and is not influenced by their beliefs.

        Jane represents St. John to the reader as being very stern, and charitable, but at the same time insensitive and without compassion, for example when we are first introduced to him he forces out tears from Jane because even though he could tell she is upset and embarrassed, he does nothing to spare her this distress. He exacerbates her discomfort.

        She ends the novel with an account of his achievements because she does not want us to feel any bitterness towards him, because in her eyes he is still a good, generous person who has faith and tries to do what he thinks is right. He deserves this honour because he gives up almost everything that is important to a normal human being – including love, when he refuses marriage to Miss Oliver even though he loves her. Also, he does a lot of things for his community, for example, helps starts a school and works at the local parish. He is willing to work hard in his life to gain his place in heaven, which is why he does not fear death and is waiting for his “Master” to come and take him. Jane says that “No fear of death will darken St. Johns last hour” – which also helps to back up my suggestion that he does not fear death. He believes his “Master” is calling him to his heaven, and he responds by saying “Amen; even so come, Lord Jesus!”.