Summary Jane Eyre's Character Development As A Result Of Other People In Her Life
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Course
English
Institution
GCSE
Book
Jane Eyre
This document contains quotes, context and analysis of how Jane's character has developed due to the people that surround her throughout the novel. Consisting of:
-Helen Burns
-Miss Temple
-Blanch Ingram
-Mr Rochester
-St John
Thornfield Extract Analysis (Jane Eyre). 18/20 exemplar answer from an A* student.
Summary GCSE English Literature - Jane Eyre: Grade 9/A*, fully annotated
GCSE Jane Eyre Notes
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General Quotes Context x Theme
‘BRONTE SHOWS JANE LEARNING ABOUT HERSELF AND LIFE FROM THE FEMALE CHARACTERS IN THE
NOVEL.’ EXPLORE HOW FAR YOU AGREE WITH THIS VIEW.
Male characters also
Helen burns (a foil to Jane) Several of the female characters (Miss temple, Diana & Mary
Has a lasting impact on Jane and the book in general. She introduces the ideas rivers) that Jane meets and learns from have to deal with their
of religious sacrifice into the novel. lack of independence but the way they deal with it inspires
Her illness is announced before we meet the character ‘the sound of a cough jane:
close behind me made me turn my head’ They all have to work for a living, thus relying on their
At the beginning of the novel jane has a strong sense of justice and she is very employer for money allowing them little independence
passionate about things she sees as unfair and cruel. Helen- as a foil to jane- is Despite this, they resist social norms of marrying a man
the perfect example of Christian charity. who can support them financially, instead married
Helen’s religious beliefs, deeply effect jane and shape the adult version of people they actually love. In the Victorian time female
herself. Jane becomes far more rational and understanding in adulthood, independence was typically bought through marriage
this can clearly be seen in her conversation with Mrs Reed on her death and thus financial security, however these women are
bed ‘I long earnestly to be reconciled to you now’ opposing to the normalities of society, inspiring Jane to
Helen states, ‘The Bible bids us return good for evil’ meaning that the bible do the same. However this can be contrasted with
teaches that evil should be returned with good- to be the better person. Blanche, she is a typical upper-class woman, who can see
These simple words stay with jane and can once more be seen in her final the monetary advantages of a marriage with Mr R.
interaction with Mrs Reed, forgiving her even when she has kept secrets Jane can be seen to be affected by this why St John
from jane and told her uncle that she has died, preventing her from living a proposes to her, she does not want to accept
desirable life in Madeira. because she knows there is no love there.
‘Because you did not love me; now, I reply because
Helen Burns appears to based on Bronte’s sister who also died of tuberculosis, this
suggests how Bronte admired her sister and is implying that her sister inspired her you almost hate me’
to be who she is.
Miss Temple Blanche Ingram
A character who defies social expectations to ensure the well beings of others, Blanche is written to be a contrast to Jane, she is more of
even if it is at a cost to herself a stereotypical Victorian woman, with intent to marry for
Jane is inspired by Miss Temple, admiring her qualities, learning from her to money, not love.
become the best possible governess she can be for Adèle. She is arrogant, vain and malicious (specifically to Jane
‘You had this morning a breakfast which you could not eat... I have ordered and Adele, who are working class/ child, suggesting the
that a lunch of bread and cheese shall be served to all’ beliefs at the time), she is a foil to Jane who is caring and
‘To her instruction I owed the best part of my acquirements’ compassionate. Blanche’s stereotypical actions is what
When Mr Rochester intends to send her to school jane ensures that I s a turns Mr Rochester away from her, preferring Jane for
good one. Demonstrating qualities she learnt from miss temple, wanting to her personality
make sure Adèle has a better experience than herself She inspires Jane to be someone different, someone who
‘She looked pale and thin: she was not happy… I sought out a school can do good in the world
conducted on a more indulgent system’ Blanche’s reaction to Adele ‘a little doll as that’/’where
Jane has taken Miss Temple’s kindness and maternal instincts, she has did you pick her up’/ ‘sent her to school’ shows that she
been inspired by it to continue the chain with Adele, making Adeles is uncompassionate person who follows society without
life better than her own at that age questioning traditions (unlike Jane). She appears a bland
pointless character who stands out compares to some
Diana and Mary Rivers one the others in the novel who break societal
expectations. She is written to contrast to Jane. Jane
both have significant function in helping jane to reach maturity and finding
cares about Adele enough to transfer her to a different
herself
school when noticing she is unhappy where she is
Jane builds a ‘sister-like’ bond with them, however it turns out the are related
through blood as cousins
JANE: ‘I rose; I dressed myself with care: obliged to be plain’
Bronte’s own sisters Emily and Anne, can be seen reflected into Diana and
BLANCHE: ‘She was very showy’
Mary. Which may be why Bronte writes them to have such a close
relationship with Jane, and Jane giving them part of her inheritance
‘Perfect congeniality of tastes, sentiments and principles’ Mr Rochester
Before Rochester, Jane had only known men that were
harsh to her. Mr. Rochester, teaches her how to value
herself, enhances her confidence, and betters her self-
Jane herself St John
esteem.
Its is not wholly other characters St John’s proposal, makes Jane
Through his pressurising manor of wanting Jane to follow
who allow her to develop her realise just how deep her feelings
typical stereotypes to a wealthy man, by dressing her in
character, but also her setting, are for Mr Rochester
expensive jewels, he allows her to see who she really is.
although it could be said that She gains a deeper understanding of
‘To send me certain jewels he has on his keeping’ /
characters within these settings her moral compass, knowing she
‘Jewels for jane eyre sounds unnatural and strange’ / ‘I
allow her to become. As Jane does not want to marry for
am your plain Quakerish governess’
spends more time at Thornfield practicality or money but only for
This quote shows how Jane stays stuck to her
she starts to move past her self- love
character and does not let a more positive
doubt and truly become confident ‘Because you did not love me; now, I
future change her
with herself the way she is. reply because you almost hate me’
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