Jane Eyre Character Analysis

Characters in a story can have an enormous influence on other characters or even on the plot of the story. One person can change the entire outcome of a story. In the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte many characters influenced Jane, but St. John Rivers and Edward Rochester had the largest impact on Jane’s character and moral values. They differed in their ideals and their moral obligations. Through St. John Rivers and Edward Rochester actions, love, and influence they molded her into this strong feminine figure. St. John Rivers is stern and set in his religious ways were as Edward Rochester is less set in his religious and moral values.

St. John was pictured as an independent character who was also willing to sacrifice his money and time for others. He wanted Jane to marry him and asked her to join him on his missionary to India. A quote from the novel showing her dislike of this idea is, "Oh! I will give my heart to God, you do not want it" (Bronte October 16, 1847 Pg.507). The quote shows that if Jane was to accept his marriage proposal and his proposal to go to India as his wife, she would have to give up the feeling of love for principle and religion. Unlike if Jane was to marry Rochester she wouldn’t feel bad marrying St. John because he did not already have a wife. St. John essentially made Jane realize that personal freedom could only be found in a mutually emotional and physically dependent relationship. As a result of coming to this realization, Jane denied his love for her. She didn’t marry him because she did not want to give up her love for Rochester whom she still longed for

Edward Rochester was the owner and master of Thornfield. He was Jane’s first and still only love. He was already married to someone named Ber...

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...on also somewhat incidentally helped control Jane’s passionate disposition because she was able to reject his love the first time, but now she has fallen for him again.

Through her hardships and lessons learned throughout her journey from Gateshead to Ferndean, Jane evolved as a character to overcome her physical and mental weaknesses. The influences of both men molded her character, bolstered her moral values, and helped her find the perfect balance between love and independence. Her honor and moral principles were constantly put to the test, but incredibly she was always able to make the right decisions. With each new obstacle and adverse situation, she was able mature and grow as an independent woman. The two contrasting characters, Rochester and St. John, both played an integral role in Jane's development as a character and the antagonist through their beliefs.