Georgiana Reed in Jane Eyre

Georgiana Reed is a significant character in Charlotte Brontë‘s classic novel Jane Eyre. As one of Jane’s cousins from her mother’s side, Georgiana presents a stark contrast to the novel’s protagonist in temperament and social standing. Living at Gateshead, the Reed family estate, Georgiana is portrayed as petulant and spoilt, indulged by her mother, and often in conflict with her elder sister, Eliza. Her interactions with Jane, an orphan and a dependent in the Reed household, offer insight into the social hierarchies and familial dysfunctions prevalent in 19th-century England.

While not as cruel as her sister or mother, Georgiana’s character illuminates the vanity and shallowness that can stem from a life of privilege unchecked by discipline or empathy. Her role in the narrative primarily revolves around her relationship with her family and how it shapes her personality and decisions. Though she is a secondary character, Georgiana’s life at Gateshead provides readers with an understanding of the environment that shaped the early life of Jane Eyre and contributes to the novel’s exploration of themes such as class, gender, and the struggle for autonomy.

Georgiana’s evolution throughout Jane Eyre is subtle yet noteworthy, with her character transforming from a vain, selfish young girl into a woman who must confront the harsh realities of her social world. Through the lens of Georgiana Reed’s story, readers witness the consequences of living a life governed by superficial values, the yearning for genuine connection, and the desire for a more meaningful existence beyond the trappings of wealth and beauty. Brontë meticulously crafts Georgiana’s role as a foil to Jane Eyre, providing a comparative backdrop highlighting Jane’s moral fortitude and quest for self-respect.

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1. Georgiana Reed Character Analysis

Georgiana Reed emerges as a character deeply influenced by her wealth and social status, which impact her relationships, particularly with her family members, Jane and Eliza, and her mother, Mrs. Reed.

Interactions with Jane and Eliza

Georgiana’s cruel and jealous inclinations shape her interactions with her cousin Jane Eyre and her sister Eliza Reed. She often regards Jane with disdain due to Jane’s lower social standing, having inherited the feeling of superiority from her mother, Mrs. Reed. This animosity is marked by cruel remarks and a lack of sisterly kindness towards Jane. In contrast, her relationship with her sister Eliza is complex, characterized by both rivalry and the common bond of navigating their high societal expectations.

• Cruelty towards Jane: Displays disdain for Jane’s lack of wealth and social status.
• Rivalry with Eliza: Contends with Eliza for attention and marriage prospects.

Influence of Wealth and Status

Georgiana’s perspective on life is heavily skewed by her obsession with wealth and marrying a wealthy man. She embodies the societal value placed on money and social status over personal merit. A potential marriage to a man of fortune represents personal gain for her and the fulfillment of her family’s aspirations. Even when rebuffed by her suitor, Lord Edwin Vere, her passion to maintain her social status through a prosperous marriage never wanes.

• Drive for Marriage: Seeks to elevate status through marriage to a man with substantial fortune.
• Wealth as Worth: Equates financial prosperity and high social status with personal value.

2. Georgiana’s Role in the Plot

Georgiana Reed plays a significant role, embodying the themes of privilege, family dynamics, and the pursuit of happiness through her life’s journey—from a spoilt child at Gateshead to a sought-after marriage prospect.

Life at Gateshead and Beyond

Georgiana Reed, the youngest daughter of the Reed family, lives a life of comfort and self-indulgence at Gateshead Hall. From childhood, she is depicted as a beautiful but selfish individual, often clashing with her sister Eliza and bullying their orphan cousin, Jane. Georgiana’s dependent position in the family becomes evident after the death of her parents, when she and her sister are left to contemplate their futures.

At Gateshead, Georgiana’s desire for pleasure often leads her to London, seeking happiness in social pleasures and materialistic pursuits. The stark contrast between her lifestyle and Jane’s ascetic life at Lowood highlights the differences in their characters and situations.

From Spoiled Child to Marriage Prospect

As an adult, Georgiana’s primary concern is securing a wealthy marriage proposal. After an unsuccessful attempt to elope with a man below her social station—a scandal that disrupts her comfortable life—her sister Eliza sends her to a convent, hoping to correct her ways. However, Georgiana remains focused on finding a husband, viewing marriage as a means to continue her life of leisure and privilege.

Georgiana eventually receives her share of the inheritance when Eliza joins a convent, but this does not alter her pursuit of a husband. The letter Jane receives from her reveals that Georgiana has become a sought-after marriage prospect, eventually resulting in an advantageous match. Despite her earlier self-absorption, this union seems to offer Georgiana a chance at a happy future, albeit one that conforms with her character’s consistent pursuit of comfort and status.