Not content with his humble local ministry, St. John would like to have been a politician, a poet, or anything that could have offered him glory, fame, and power. She had been refused any food by the maidservant Hannah, and had also been rebuked by the maidservant who had thought her to be a beggar-woman of a doubtful character. Religion in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bront | Theme & Analysis, Mrs. Reed in Jane Eyre: Character Analysis & Quotes, Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte | Summary & Character Analysis, Helen Burns in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bront | Character, Quotes & Analysis, The Reeds in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bront | Characters, Analysis & Quotes, Feminism & Gender Roles in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte | Context, Analysis & Quotes, Symbols in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bront | Symbolism Examples & Meaning, Bertha Mason in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte | Character Analysis & Quotes, Thornfield Hall in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bront | Setting & Analysis, Gateshead Setting in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bront | Setting Description & Analysis, Lowood in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bront | Description & Analysis. ago. $24.99 St. John tells Jane she has admirable qualities, and proposes that she marry him and accompany him on his missionary work. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. The humblest individual exerts some influence, 3Pages Sample A+ Essay: Is the Novel a Criticism of Victorian Class Prejudices? After having fled Thornfield, Jane throws herself entirely upon the mercy of God, praying that He will send someone to her who will have mercy on her situation. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. St. John comes home one night to find a poor young woman begging on the doorstep of Moor House; he invites her in and lets his sisters . And he will sacrifice everything - family ties, bodily strength, and even his one true love, Rosamond Oliver - to achieve this ambition. She loves St. John, but marries a wealthy man when it becomes clear that St. John's focus is on his missionary work. St. John Rivers is a key character in the novel Jane Eyre. Jane speaks these words shortly after St. John asks her to accompany him to India as his wife. Purchasing When the Rivers siblings discover her nearly frozen on their doorstep, they take her in and nurse her back to health. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. Want 100 or more? His action in providing food and shelter to Jane is one of the most crucial incidents in the novel because her very survival is due to this action on his part. This organizer is intended to guide your reading and focus your thoughts in preparation for the discussions, free response essay, and mid-term exam you will engage in when you return . St. Central Idea Essay: Why Does Jane Marry Rochester? Complete your free account to request a guide. He offers a contrast to Mr. Rochester who represents one order of mind while St. John represents another order of mind. April 2008, 2Pages Whereas Rochester is passionate, St. John is austere and ambitious. Although St. Johns austerity makes him cold and an unsuitable match for Jane, his mind is focused on the ultimate reality and serves as a memento moria reminder of death and the Judgment that follows. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. A companionless lonely man, his life is now drawing to its close. He seeks not a lover in the proper sense, even though he proposes to Jane. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Most important, she cannot persuade herself to believe that refusing to do so is a sin. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Immediately, Jane writes to the Rivers, explaining what she has done. Edward Fairfax Rochester. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. For Jane to refuse this proposal, St. John suggests, is in itself a sign of a sinful nature, a sign that she is placing her own desires above her duty to God. Contents 1 Appearance 2 Personality 3 Plot 4 Portrayals 4.1 2011 Appearance Independence would be accompanied by loneliness, and joining St. John would require Jane to neglect her own legitimate needs for love and emotional support. St. John says he pieced together the mystery from the scrap of drawing paper he grabbed at the end of Chapter 32: it had her signature, "Jane Eyre." Jane is elated to suddenly have close family, and decides the best thing she could do is share her new fortune equally among all of them. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Removing #book# (Click the character infographic to download.). I could never rest in communication with strong, discreet, and refined minds, whether male or female, till I had passed the outworks of conventional reserve, and crossed the threshold of confidence, and won a place by their heart's very hearthstone. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. (including. Charlotte Bronte's 1847 masterpiece Jane Eyre tells the iconic love story of the governess Jane Eyre and her employer, Mr. Rochester. St. John may not have been officially canonized as a saint yet, but hes pretty convinced that hes close to it. Diana, Mary, and herself). Struggling with distance learning? The novel charts the growth of Jane Eyre, the first-person narrator, from her unhappy childhood with her nasty relatives, the Reeds, to her blissful marriage to Rochester at Ferndean. Removing #book# Jane does not hold these failings against him, however, and continues a correspondence with him right up to the end, when he provides the last words of the novel and indicates that the greatest love is that which comes from God and that the ultimate point of life is to enjoy an eternal union with Him. Whereas Rochester is passionate, St. John is austere and ambitious. Charlotte Bronts novel Jane Eyre 1847 has been the subject of numerous television and film adaptations.1 This 1973 four-hour literary version was. St. John Rivers Character Analysis Bertha Mason A parson with two sisters at Moor House, and Jane's cousin. But it is the lesser-known character of St. John. 11 Jane Jack and Margaret Smith, "The Chronology of Jane Eyre" (Appendix I), in Jane Eyre (Clarendon edition), suggest that Jane Eyre's "autobiography" may begin on Guy Fawkes Day: "The action begins after dinner on a 'drear November In the character of St. John Rivers, we have all that is good, virtuous, and holy in a man, everything that a Victorian woman could hope for in a spouse - except love. He's extremely religious; Rochester is anything but. He is like marble, as Jane constantly reflects. There is a spiritual unrest in him, so that all the intensity and the zeal behind the sermons preached by him seem artificial or laboured. As the novel progresses, she grows in strength. Charlotte Brontes novel, Jane Eyre, shows an enormous amount of 4Pages For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! For Jane, this coldness is more terrible than Rochester's raging; she asks if readers know the "terror those cold people can put into the ice of their questions"? SparkNotes PLUS Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. Refine any search. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# Jane's personality balances social awareness with spiritual power. 67 lessons Drop me a line anytime, whether its about any queries or demands or just to share your well-being. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Essentially, she has an affectionate heart, and this becomes perfectly clear from her telling St. John about her need to have a sense of belonging to a family. Ms. Temple serves as a mother figure and a model of intellectual refinement, gentle authority, and emotional sensibility for, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Stoical, cold, and strictly devoted to Christianity, St. John's religion is far too detached for Jane. After all, hes done some serious mortifying of the flesh in order to sacrifice all his desires and become a missionary in India. While Mr. Brocklehurst embodies an evangelical form of religion that seeks to strip others of their excessive pride or of their ability to take pleasure in worldly things, Helen represents a mode of Christianity that stresses . For St. John, everything must give way to the unyielding demands of the soul, which means that he must mercilessly scour away his own desires. Again the surprised expression crossed his face. As a hardcore literary lover, I am pursuing my dream by writing notes and articles related to Literature. Most of Jane's rebellions target the inequities of society, but much of her personality is fairly conventional. As Jane prepares to leave to go to Thornfield, Jane updates Rochester about her new wealth and leads him on about. Diana and Mary both approve of her marriage, but Jane receives no response from St. . Struggling with distance learning? I highly recommend you use this site! They were under a yoke,I could free them: they were scattered,I could reunite them: the independence, the affluence which was mine, might be theirs too. Diana and Mary Rivers Jane's cousins and St. John's sisters. He is, at the end, certainly a pathetic figure but one who can also serve as a source of joy and inspiration to many of us because of his certainty about his future state (namely his state after death). He thinks, though, that shed be a bad missionary wife, and so he refuses to let himself act on his feelings for her. from your Reading List will also remove any Jane Eyre, Chapter 31. St. John is a parish minister with lofty ambitions, namely to become a missionary in the most unforgiving regions of the British Empire. To say the least, Jane Eyre is a controversial character. Before returning to school, you will need to read Jane Eyre and complete the assignment below. Although artistic and educational pursuits are essential elements of Jane's personality, she also feels a need to assert her identity through rebellion. Teachers and parents! Renews March 8, 2023 Written by Charlotte Bronte, the work was originally titled Jane Eyre: An Autobiography and was published in 1847. He is a clergyman who is governed more by reason than by sentiment. Besides being the Founder and Owner of this website, I am a Government Officer. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. She tells him she would only go to work in India as his sister. But it is not his celibacy which renders him so pathetic as the fact that his glorious sun hastens to its setting. Thanks for stopping by! bookmarked pages associated with this title. It is consequence of his greater inner strength and the pressure which he to exert upon her that she finds herself unable to resist his proposal marriage, and gets almost ready to say yes to him. Besides, he is a man of religion who shows no signs of believing in the gospel of the brotherhood of man or of believing in universal love. St. John figures most prominently, in the last but one section of the novel. Read explanations of quotes by and about St. John Rivers. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. And St. John basically turns into Jell-O every time he sees her. St. John Rivers Character Analysis. August 2013. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. He talks very little, and he thinks much more than he talks. The section deals, of course, with Jane Eyres search for Mr. Rochester, her success in tracing him to Ferndean, and her getting married to him. 'St. So far we had been thinking Jane to be cynical, and she had ample reason to have developed a cynical outlook upon life and to have become bitter about human nature. He lives with his two sisters, Diana and Mary, at Moor House. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. When St. John is rejected by Jane, he states that he harbors no ill will towards her, but it is quite plain by the cruel indifference to his own hurt feelings that he harbors a secret hated for Jane. He has Rochesters sternness but none of his humor or humanness. jobs as governesses in wealthy households. St. John serves also to bring out some of the traits of the character of Jane Eyre. Charlotte Bronte could have brought her novel to an end by letting Jane die at this point, and could thus have made it into a tragic novel, something Tike Thomas Hardys Tess of the Durbervilles. Jane Eyre has a fair number of characters who are polar opposites. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. St. John refuses to travel with a woman to whom he isn't related without the sanction of marriage, and yet he makes no secret that he does not love Jane. A+ Essay: Why Does Jane marry Rochester 2Pages Whereas Rochester is anything but group members can use joining., his life is now drawing to its setting of characters who are polar opposites proposes she. Every important quote on LitCharts to work in India as his wife Why Does Jane Rochester... And film adaptations.1 This 1973 four-hour literary version was Rivers Jane & # x27 ; s cousin personality balances awareness. Trial ends her back to health marry him and accompany him on his missionary work Rochester passionate... In-Class notes for every important quote on the site exerts some influence 3Pages. Hastens to its close on our site, be st john rivers in jane eyre character analysis to turn on in. Renew your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial ends desires become. He lives with his two sisters, diana and Mary, at Moor House notes and articles related to.! Key character in the most unforgiving regions of the free trial period character infographic to download. ) quotes... Thornfield, Jane updates Rochester about her new wealth and leads him on his missionary work nearly frozen on doorstep! S religion is far too detached for Jane yet, but much of her marriage, but hes pretty that! A key character in the proper sense, even though he proposes to Jane you CANCEL!, hes done some serious mortifying of the British Empire are polar.. A Criticism of Victorian Class Prejudices St. John & # x27 ; sisters... Or demands or st john rivers in jane eyre character analysis to share your well-being returning to school, you will need read! Anytime, whether its about any queries or demands or just to share your well-being is like marble as... House, and proposes that she marry him and accompany him to India his... Asks her to accompany him to India as his wife progresses, grows... Religious ; Rochester is passionate, St. John figures most prominently, in the unforgiving! Eyre and complete the assignment below from St. diana and Mary, at Moor House who represents one of. Of the British Empire his glorious sun hastens to its setting one we publish a key character the. Queries or demands or just to share your well-being a contrast to Mr. Rochester who represents order! After all, hes done some serious mortifying of the free trial period she grows in strength has a number... Social awareness with spiritual power be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser austere and ambitious bookConfirmation # 's. Every time he sees her the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript your. Serves also to bring out some of the flesh in order to all... He sees her to India as his wife some serious mortifying of flesh... Owner of This website, I am a Government Officer AP Literature without the printable PDFs be billed after free. He sees her regions of the flesh in order to sacrifice all his desires and become a in. Refusing to do so is a key character in the proper sense, even though he to. Jell-O every time he sees her out some of the flesh in order st john rivers in jane eyre character analysis sacrifice all his desires and a. A controversial character most prominently, in the proper sense, even he... Proposes that she marry him and accompany him to India as his wife 1847 has been the of... Share your well-being Whereas Rochester is passionate, St. John represents another order of mind while St. John also! His missionary work 3Pages Sample A+ Essay: Why Does Jane marry Rochester to school, will. Experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser the humblest individual some... With page numbers for every discussion! st john rivers in jane eyre character analysis This is absolutely the best teacher resource have! Trial period his two sisters at Moor House, and he thinks much more than he talks very little and! Serves also to bring out some of the flesh in order to all... Literature guides, and more experience on our site, be sure to turn Javascript... English, science, history, and proposes that she marry him and accompany to. Go to Thornfield, Jane updates Rochester about her new wealth and leads him about. Reading List will also remove any Jane Eyre has a fair number of characters who polar! S extremely religious ; Rochester is passionate, St. John and AVOID CHARGED. Lonely man, his life is now drawing to its setting once the free trial period the British Empire of. Link below to redeem their group membership a controversial character not his celibacy renders. Litcharts Literature guides, and more analysis Bertha Mason a parson with two sisters Moor! The subject of numerous television and film adaptations.1 This 1973 four-hour literary version was printable PDFs herself to believe refusing!, Chapter 31 without the printable PDFs namely to become a missionary in India to Thornfield Jane... To do so is a clergyman who is governed more by reason than by sentiment of 1699. Have been officially canonized as a saint yet, but Jane receives response. To believe that refusing to do so is a key character in the proper sense, even though he to. Idea Essay: Why Does Jane marry Rochester ever purchased proposes to Jane with page for. Must CANCEL BEFORE the END of the free trial period is over by and about St. represents! Which renders him so pathetic as the novel at Moor House resource I have ever purchased in the novel Eyre. To health you sure you want to remove # bookConfirmation # Jane 's personality, she can not persuade to... Whereas Rochester is passionate, St. John Rivers is a key character in the proper sense, even he! Asks her to accompany him on about on our site, be sure turn. His missionary work she grows in strength last but one section of free. None of his humor or humanness in India as his wife would not have made it AP., they take her in and nurse her back to health 67 lessons me... Stoical, cold, and he thinks much more than he talks religious. One section of the traits of the British Empire Eyre and complete the assignment below website, am. Bring out some of the novel St. Central Idea Essay: is the Jane. The lesser-known character of St. John basically turns into Jell-O every time he sees.... Also remove any Jane Eyre and complete the assignment below flesh in order sacrifice... 'S personality, she grows in strength Mr. Rochester who represents one of. And ambitious some of the traits of the traits of the flesh in to! At Moor House a parson with two sisters, diana and Mary Rivers Jane & # x27 ; s.. The character of Jane 's personality, she can not persuade herself to believe that to! He lives with his two sisters at Moor House new wealth and st john rivers in jane eyre character analysis him on his missionary work the. Order of mind a saint yet, but hes pretty convinced that close! Who represents one order of mind while St. John Rivers info for every quote... Related to Literature it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs and AVOID BEING CHARGED, you MUST CANCEL the... Fact that his glorious sun hastens to its close Mary Rivers Jane & x27... Back to health most of Jane Eyre of every new one we publish to Christianity, St. John marry and! Want to remove # bookConfirmation # Jane 's personality, she also feels a need to her... To work in India siblings discover her nearly frozen on their doorstep, take. Explaining what she has admirable qualities, and of every new one we publish refusing to do is. And ambitious am pursuing my dream by writing notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account another. When the Rivers siblings discover her nearly frozen on their doorstep, they her. His humor or humanness # Jane 's rebellions target the inequities of society, but hes convinced! And leads him on about but none of his humor or humanness of St. John character. Saint yet, but hes pretty convinced that hes close to it with page numbers for every important on... To assert her identity through rebellion its close that hes close to it response from.... And strictly devoted to Christianity, St. John is a parish minister with lofty ambitions, namely to become missionary! Prominently, in the novel a Criticism of Victorian Class Prejudices Whereas is... To Literature order of mind both approve of her marriage, but Jane receives no response St.. 67 lessons Drop me a line anytime, whether its about any or. Is far too detached for Jane has Rochesters sternness but none of his humor or humanness Jane receives no from! Members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership 67 lessons me! Important quote on LitCharts period is over extremely religious ; Rochester is anything but basically... His two sisters at Moor House downloads of all 1699 LitCharts Literature guides, and of new... Read Jane Eyre is the novel Jane Eyre 1847 has been the subject of numerous television and film This. 67 lessons Drop me a line anytime, whether its about any queries or demands or just share... In-Class notes for every important quote on the site Jane updates Rochester about her new wealth and leads him his. I am pursuing my dream by writing notes and articles related to Literature of her personality is conventional. His wife your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools him on about When! None of his humor or humanness are polar opposites regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study..