JANE EYRE
CHARACTER
In novels character is generally established through what people say, how they act, what people say about them and how they behave in their company. Symbols are another way of establishing character. In this novel there are characters that principally affect Jane’s progress and change her status/identity. I'll call these secondary characters. And characters that principally represent a set of ideas or concepts [usually linked to moral values and attitudes of Victorian society] and have a function or general purpose in the novel. I'll call these minor characters. Another consideration is the presentation of male and female characters – this brings up issues of masculinity and femininity. We should also consider character in terms of class and status within society. I’ve listed some characters. You should do the rest.
Secondary and minor characters are not fully rounded. Instead they are presented with one or two dominant features only. These are often exaggerated but not to the point of caricature as in novels by Dickens.
Secondary and minor characters are not fully rounded. Instead they are presented with one or two dominant features only. These are often exaggerated but not to the point of caricature as in novels by Dickens.
PRINCIPLE CHARACTERS
JANE EYRE - CHARACTER
FEATURE
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QUOTE
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COMMENT
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strong sense of identity
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strong sense of self worth and value
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JANE EYRE - NARRATOR
FEATURE
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QUOTE
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COMMENT
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EDWARD ROCHESTER
FEATURE
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QUOTE
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COMMENT
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SECONDARY CHARACTERS – characters that principally affect Jane’s progress and change her status/identity
NAME
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FEATURES
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QUOTE
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COMMENT
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Mrs Reed
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Mr Brocklehurst
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Helen Burns
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Miss Temple
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Bessie
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MINOR CHARACTERS – characters that primarily represent ideas and have a function or general purpose
NAME
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FEATURES
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QUOTE
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COMMENT
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Mrs Fairfax
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Robert - Bessie's husband
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I’ve placed the characters below in this order for a specific purpose. They are all female and each one represents a different kind of femininity. These are essentially positive and negative. I’ve placed Adele and Bertha in the middle. Perhaps it's interesting to note that Rosamond, Diana, Mary, Blanche, Georgina and Eliza are all about the same age as Jane.
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Rosamond Oliver
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Diana / Mary Rivers
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Adela Varnes
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Bertha Mason
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Blanche Ingram
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Eliza / Georgina Reed
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