Jane Eyre Characters
JE
Jane Eyre
Protagonist
Intelligent
Strong-willed
Moral
Independent
An orphan and the central character of the novel. She struggles with poverty, loneliness, and social prejudice throughout her life. Despite these hardships, she consistently values self-respect and believes in love based on equality.
ER
Edward Rochester
Protagonist
Proud
Passionate
Mysterious
Conflicted
The wealthy master of Thornfield Hall who becomes Jane's love interest. He hides his past marriage to Bertha Mason but truly loves Jane. He represents the internal conflict between desire and morality.
SJ
St. John Rivers
Supporting
Serious
Religious
Ambitious
Dutiful
A clergyman who helps Jane when she is homeless and later reveals himself to be her cousin. He pressures Jane into a loveless marriage in service of missionary duty. He symbolizes the dominance of duty over passion.
BM
Bertha Mason
Symbolic
Also known as: The Madwoman in the Attic
Violent
Insane
Repressed
Destructive
Rochester's first wife, kept hidden at Thornfield Hall. She is violent and mentally unstable. She symbolizes repression, colonial exploitation, and the dark side of unrestrained passion.
MR
Mrs. Reed
Antagonist
Cruel
Oppressive
Unjust
Cold
Jane's aunt who raises her after the death of her parents. She treats Jane with cruelty and injustice. She represents family oppression and the social prejudice Jane faces in her childhood.
HB
Helen Burns
Supporting
Gentle
Patient
Spiritual
Accepting
Jane's close friend at Lowood School who endures suffering with quiet Christian faith. Her death has a profound influence on Jane's moral development and inner strength.
MB
Mr. Brocklehurst
Antagonist
Hypocritical
Self-righteous
Cruel
Preachy
The headmaster of Lowood School who preaches humility to the students while living in personal luxury. He symbolizes religious hypocrisy and institutionalized social cruelty.
DR
Diana Rivers
Minor
Kind
Warm
Friendly
Supportive
One of St. John's sisters and Jane's cousin. She befriends Jane and represents warmth, genuine friendship, and female solidarity.
MR
Mary Rivers
Minor
Kind
Warm
Friendly
Supportive
One of St. John's sisters and Jane's cousin. Like her sister Diana, she befriends Jane and represents warmth, friendship, and female solidarity.
AV
Adele Varens
Minor
Lively
Affectionate
Innocent
Enthusiastic
Rochester's young French ward whom Jane is employed to teach at Thornfield Hall. She adores Jane and is full of energy and charm. She serves as a symbol of innocence and new beginnings.
GP
Grace Poole
Minor
Mysterious
Reserved
Secretive
Dutiful
A servant at Thornfield Hall whose primary role is to guard Bertha Mason. Her enigmatic presence and unexplained behaviour contribute significantly to the Gothic atmosphere and suspense of the novel.
B
Bessie
Minor
Kind-hearted
Affectionate
Nurturing
Compassionate
The nurse at Gateshead who shows genuine affection toward Jane during her childhood, in stark contrast to the coldness of Mrs. Reed. She represents a rare source of warmth in Jane's early life.
MM
Mr. Mason
Minor
Revealing
Conflicted
Timid
Consequential
Bertha Mason's brother, whose arrival at Thornfield exposes the secret of Rochester's existing marriage. His testimony directly halts Jane's wedding ceremony and changes the course of her life.
RO
Rosamond Oliver
Minor
Beautiful
Admired
Warm
Unattainable
A young woman whom St. John Rivers loves but chooses to suppress his feelings for in favour of his missionary duty. She represents the personal passion and happiness that St. John sacrifices for religious obligation.
MF
Mrs. Fairfax
Minor
Domestic
Reserved
Cautious
Welcoming
The housekeeper at Thornfield Hall who initially welcomes Jane upon her arrival. She is a steady, domestic presence within the household and serves as an early source of companionship for Jane at Thornfield.
JR
John Reed
Minor
Bullying
Cruel
Privileged
Oppressive
Mrs. Reed's son and one of Jane's childhood tormentors at Gateshead. He represents the cruelty and entitlement of Jane's early oppressors within the Reed family.
ER
Eliza Reed
Minor
Cold
Rigid
Self-absorbed
Detached
One of Mrs. Reed's daughters and part of the family that oppresses Jane in her childhood. She represents the cold and self-serving nature of Jane's early domestic environment.
GR
Georgiana Reed
Minor
Vain
Superficial
Self-indulgent
Shallow
One of Mrs. Reed's daughters who contributes to Jane's early oppression at Gateshead. She represents vanity and superficiality within the Reed household.