Foil Characters In Jane Eyre

Oftentimes, minor characters help to reveal a theme or contribute to the characterization of the protagonist. In the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Helen Burns serves as a foil character to the protagonist, Jane Eyre. Throughout the novel, Helen’s docile and pious nature helps to emphasize Jane’s development from a passionate girl to a modest woman. Helen’s theological beliefs also allow her to serve as a foil character to Mr. Brocklehurst, the headmaster of Lowood Institution, and St John Rivers, a zealous missionary, in order to reveal how Christianity is used to control Jane. Compared to the male characters in the novel, Helen’s positive use of religion proves to be more effective in encouraging Jane to adopt Christian values. The

Unlike Jane, Helen endures the hardships in her life without complaint because she believes God will reward her by accepting her into heaven. While she sits on her deathbed, she says, “I am very happy, Jane; and when you hear that I am dead, you must be sure and not grieve: there is nothing to grieve about. We all must die one day, and the illness which is removing me is not painful; it is gentle and gradual: my mind is at rest … By dying young, I shall escape great sufferings” (Brontë 93). Despite not having lived a full life, Helen welcomes death. Helen chooses to follow God and join him in heaven instead of continuing to live with loneliness and illness at the Lowood Institution. Meanwhile, Jane fears death and does not turn to God for acceptance into heaven. As Helen lays dying, Jane says, “How sad to be lying now on a sick-bed, and to be in danger of dying! This world is pleasant – it would be dreary to be called from it, and to have to go who knows where?” (Brontë 90). Even though Jane has suffered, she still has fantasies about developing a better life on earth. While Helen has hope for one day entering heaven, Jane tries to discover the world outside of what limited experience she has gained throughout her life. By creating a character such as Helen, who focuses solely on God, Brontë emphasizes how

While Helen embodies the ideal young lady of the 1800s – modest, submissive, and devoted to God – Jane is characterized as being passionate and stubborn. Helen’s acceptance of death and desire to go to heaven also highlights the way Jane craves adventure and independence. However, throughout the novel, Jane begins to follow Helen’s teachings and starts to follow the word of God. By contrasting Helen’s theological beliefs against those of Mr. Brocklehurst and St John Rivers, Brontë also emphasizes how Helen is more successful in spreading God’s teachings because she does not use religion as a tool for controlling Jane’s true nature. The character of Helen Burns not only plays an important role in helping Jane develop into a more submissive woman and devoted Christian, but her positive outlook on Christianity also emphasizes the use of religion as a tool for manipulation throughout the