What Are The Foils In Jane Eyre

A Study in Jane: The Protagonists of Jane Eyre

The romance novel can be seen throughout a number of human centuries where one possessed the ability to write and distribute it. Such is the case as in the 19th century, however, the novel of Jane Eyre defied conventionality of the typical morally correct being in society. Both protagonists of the novel are described to be deviants of typical society, with Jane possessing man-like traits while Rochester proves himself to be of gray nature unacceptable in a time where religion was so important. The following paper will address the characters of Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester and how they are neither fair nor handsome.

Firstly, the character of Jane Eyre is introduced to the readers as a young girl, living with her aunt and cousin’s and finding herself to be quite

One can find many foils for Jane throughout the novel, having one for almost every stages of her life, but the one most prominent is Bertha, also known as Mrs. Rochester. She represents all of Jane’s fears about marriage due to the patriarchal society she lives in. The woman has been driven to insanity, and her freedom has been taken away as she is locked up on the third floor, and if Jane had agreed to marry Rochester as he remained married to Bertha, she would have lost her own liberty as well (Siwoku-Awi 7). As well, Bertha highlights the aspects of Jane that Rochester sees in her such as her purity and virtue, having a mind of her own while still believing in God. For Rochester, the most evident of foils to him is St. John, who is seen as the angel while Rochester is the devil. Jane fears St. John for she doesn’t like mysteries or secrets and appears to be too controlling, and is rather cold while Rochester remains intact with his own emotions, whether they are right or