Jane Eyre : Characters

Characters

Major Characters

• Jane Eyre (The Protagonist): An orphan and the central character. Intelligent, strong-willed, moral, and independent. She struggles with poverty, loneliness, and social prejudice, but always values self-respect and love based on equality.
• Edward Rochester (The Male Protagonist): The wealthy master of Thornfield Hall. By nature, proud, passionate, and mysterious. He hides his past with Bertha Mason but truly loves Jane. Represents conflict between desire and morality.
• St. John Rivers: A serious, religious, and ambitious clergyman. He helps Jane when she is homeless, but pressures her into a loveless marriage for missionary duty. Symbol of duty over passion.
• Bertha Mason (The Madwoman in the Attic): Rochester’s first wife was hidden at Thornfield. She is violent and insane. She symbolizes repression, colonial exploitation, and the dark side of passion.
• Mrs. Reed: Jane’s cruel aunt who raises her after her parents’ death. Represents family oppression and injustice in Jane’s childhood.

Minor Characters

• Helen Burns: Jane’s close friend at Lowood School. Gentle, patient, and spiritual. She accepts suffering with the Christian faith. Her death influences Jane’s moral strength.
• Mr. Brocklehurst: The hypocritical headmaster of Lowood. Preaches humility while living in luxury. Symbol of religious hypocrisy and social cruelty.
• Diana and Mary Rivers: St. John’s kind sisters who befriend Jane. They represent warmth, friendship, and female solidarity.
• Adele Varens: Rochester’s ward. A lively French girl who adores Jane. Symbol of innocence and new beginnings.
• Grace Poole: The servant at Thornfield who guards Bertha Mason. Her mysterious presence adds Gothic suspense.
• Bessie: The kind-hearted nurse at Gateshead. She shows affection to Jane in childhood, unlike Mrs. Reed.
• Mr. Mason: Bertha Mason’s brother, who reveals the secret of Rochester’s marriage. His testimony stops Jane’s wedding.

Couples and Love Connections in the Novel

• Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester: The central love story. They struggle with class, morality, and secrets, but finally unite in mutual respect and true love.
• St. John Rivers and Rosamond Oliver: St. John loves Rosamond but suppresses his feelings for duty. Represents the sacrifice of passion.
• Bertha Mason and Rochester: A tragic, destructive marriage symbolizing colonial ties and hidden sin.

Friends and Family

• The Reed Family: Mrs. Reed and her children (Eliza, Georgiana, and John) represent Jane’s early oppression.
• The Rivers Family: St. John, Diana, and Mary Rivers—Jane’s cousins, representing both duty and affection.
• Lowood Community: Helen Burns (friend) and Mr. Brocklehurst (oppressor).
• Thornfield Household: Adele Varens, Mrs. Fairfax (housekeeper), Grace Poole (servant), Bertha Mason (secret wife).