Jane Eyre Characters Analysis
Jane Eyre - She is the protagonist of the novel, a plain and intelligent girl, who struggles to pave her way in the repressive and difficult world of Victorian England as an independent woman. She later inherits a significant fortune from her uncle John Eyre, a fortune that she divides evenly between herself and the Rivers siblings when she learns of their relationship as well as their needs. She marries the disabled Edward Rochester when his lunatic wife, Bertha Mason, dies in a fire that she had herself set.
Edward Rochester - He is a wealthy and rugged featured man who inherits the estate of Thornfield Hall after the demise of his father and brother. He lives a nomad's life as he is haunted by the memories of being wedded to the crazy Bertha Mason who lives in the hidden room of Thornfield Hall.
Bertha Mason - She is the first wife of Edward Rochester, and suffers from a mental illness that is believed to run in her family. She is married to Edward Rochester after her family hides her illness and offers a generous dowry that tempts Edward Rochester's father. She is brought to England by Mr. Rochester after he decides that he cannot live with her as his wife, and is abandoned in a hidden room of Thornfield Hall that barely has any windows.
Adele Varens - She is the supposed daughter of Edward Rochester and Celine Varens, although Mr. Rochester claims that she is unlikely to be his daughter. Yet, he takes her on as his ward when he learns that she has been abandoned by her mother, and hires Jane Eyre to be her governess.
St John Eyre Rivers - He is a preacher who rescues Jane from starvation, and nurses her back to health along with his sisters Diana and Mary Rivers. He is a pious man who wishes to leave behind his comfortable life in England to do God's work as a missionary. He asks Jane Eyre to marry him, as he believes that her character would allow her to be the right kind of wife for a missionary. Jane refuses to marry him as she believes that their relationship could never have any place for love and because she continues to nurse feelings for Mr. Rochester.
