Helen Burns in Jane Eyre

In Charlotte Brontë‘s Jane Eyre, Helen Burns emerges as a pivotal character whose brief presence leaves a lasting impact. She befriends Jane Eyre, at Lowood School, where they both suffer under the harsh conditions imposed by Mr. Brocklehurst. Helen’s character embodies a set of beliefs and values that markedly differ from the largely punitive Victorian ethos surrounding them, providing Jane with an alternative perspective on life’s challenges and injustices.

Helen Burns stands out through her stoicism, devout Christian faith, and compassionate nature, serving as a foil to Jane’s fiery temperament. Despite facing cruelty and systemic neglect, Helen maintains her equanimity, always turning the other cheek. Her philosophical approach to suffering and her unwavering commitment to forgiveness become ingrained in Jane’s consciousness, shaping her moral and emotional development throughout the novel. Helen’s teachings and example continue to resonate with Jane throughout her life, influencing her responses to later challenges and relationships.

Helen’s tragic fate within the narrative only underscores the stark commentary on the social milieu of the time, highlighting the dire consequences of institutional failure to protect the vulnerable. Her influence on Jane is profound, serving as a spiritual guidepost and intellectual catalyst. Helen Burns’ role exemplifies the novel’s exploration of resilience, human dignity, and the search for meaning through adversity.

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1. Helen Burns Character Analysis

Helen Burns’ character exemplifies moral fortitude and a distinctive perspective on life’s hardships. She embodies maturity and grace, offering a contrast to Jane Eyre‘s fiery persona.

Helen Burns as a Moral Compass

Helen Burns is portrayed as the embodiment of goodness and virtue in Jane Eyre. Often described with an angelic presence, Helen’s behavior serves as a guide for Jane, demonstrating characteristics such as maturity and forgiveness. This moral compass is underscored by her tolerance and charity towards others, regardless of how they treat her.

• Traits:
  • Maturity
  • Forgiveness
  • Grace
  • Charity
  • Toleration

Views on Suffering and Mortality

She regards suffering as a path to moral maturity and grace, accepting her hardships with stoicism. Helen’s stance on mortality is serene, marked by a sense of hope and steadfastness in her creed. Her views are spiritually rooted, believing that life on earth is transitory and that true solace can be found in the afterlife.

• Philosophical Views:
  • Suffering: a tool for personal growth
  • Mortality: a passage to eternal peace
  • Spiritual Solace: found beyond life

Contrast with Jane’s Personality

Jane Eyre’s passionate and questioning nature stands in sharp relief against Helen Burns’ composed and accepting demeanor. While Jane often struggles with the injustices she faces, Helen counsels forgiveness and demonstrates a form of tolerance that Jane initially finds baffling but grows to respect. The dichotomy between their dispositions provides a rich exploration of different reactions to adversity. Helen’s teachings about forgiveness, tolerance, and the acceptance of mortality profoundly shape Jane’s character and worldview throughout the novel.

• Contrasting Traits with Jane:
  • Passion vs. Composure
  • Questioning vs. Accepting
  • Struggle vs. Serenity

Helen’s Relationship with Religion

Helen’s deep religious faith significantly influences her perspectives on suffering, forgiveness, and mortality. Her devout Christianity provides her with comfort and strength in the face of adversity, further emphasizing the importance of her spiritual beliefs in her life and her interactions with Jane.

2. Life at Lowood School

Lowood School serves as a pivotal setting where pivotal character developments unfold, particularly for Helen Burns, whose experiences at the institution encapsulate themes of perseverance and the harsh realities of charity schools during the Victorian era.

Treatment of Orphans

Orphans at Lowood School were subjected to harsh conditions and strict discipline. Mr. Brocklehurst, the school’s overseer, imposed rigid rules and often utilized humiliation as a form of punishment. He believed this would teach the girls humility and save their souls. Miss Scatcherd, a teacher at Lowood, frequently targeted Helen, exemplifying the injustice orphans faced. Helen endured unwarranted reprimands and corporal punishment, though she remained composed and forgiving in the face of such treatment.

• Example of Punishment: Helen is forced to stand on a stool before her classmates, falsely accused of being a liar.
• Daily Deprivations: Meager meals, cold rooms, and scant clothing made life at Lowood challenging for the girls.
• Poor Sanitary Conditions: The school’s neglect of proper hygiene contributed to the outbreak of typhus fever, leading to the deaths of many students and subsequent reforms at Lowood.

Helen’s Illness and Resilience

Helen Burns’ character is marked by stoicism and deep, personal faith. Despite the hardships at Lowood, including exposure to the cold and malnutrition that likely contributed to her contracting tuberculosis, she remained a model of resilience. Helen accepted her illness with a calm fatalism and continued to support and comfort Jane, serving as a stark reminder of the era’s inadequate understanding and response to disease.

• Onset of Illness: Helen’s symptoms, such as coughing and fatigue, are largely ignored by the school’s administration.
• Strength of Character: In her final days, Helen comforts Jane, exemplifying her transcendence of the physical and emotional pain she endures.
• Contrast with School’s Attitude: Helen’s peaceful acceptance of her fate highlights the neglectful attitude of Lowood School towards the health and well-being of its students.

3. The Influence of Helen Burns on Jane Eyre

Helen Burns’ influence extends beyond her time at Lowood School and into the very essence of Jane’s character development and worldview. Throughout the novel, Helen’s embodiment of love, friendship, and spiritual peace leaves an indelible mark on Jane Eyre and the readers.

Moral, Spiritual Guidance, and Lessons in Forgiveness and Compassion

Helen Burns serves as an essential beacon of moral and spiritual guidance for Jane Eyre, teaching her lessons of forgiveness and compassion. Despite the oppressive environment of Lowood School, Helen consistently demonstrates piety, humility, and a forgiving nature, qualities that deeply impress Jane. Helen’s serene acceptance of her harsh life conditions and her calmness in the face of injustice, such as Miss Scatcherd’s harsh treatment, plant the seeds of spiritual reflection within Jane, prompting her to consider the dimensions of her faith and love for life. Through Helen’s example, Jane learns to balance her fiery personality with grace and understanding, shaping her into a person who seeks justice tempered with mercy.

Inspiring Love and Friendship

Helen Burns plays a crucial role in demonstrating the power of unconditional love and steadfast friendship. Her unwavering love and the bond she shares with Jane provide a source of comfort and companionship amidst the desolation of Lowood, deeply affecting Jane’s understanding of interpersonal relationships.

Helen’s Lasting Influence on Jane

Helen Burns’ perspectives on religion, morality, and the acceptance of suffering have a profound effect on Jane’s philosophy. Helen’s unshakable faith in God and her peaceful acceptance of death profoundly shift Jane’s understanding of life and its transience, instilling a sense of hope and resilience in her.

Helen Burns’s character remains a testament to the values of patience, endurance, and kind-heartedness. Her memory continues to resonate with Jane throughout her life, illustrating the influence of a soul rooted in love, friendship, and eternity.