Key Characters Categorise

'Know me to be what I am – a cold, hard man' (Chapter 32)

This matter-of-fact statement makes it very clear to the reader that this character determines to remain detached from emotion. They describe themself very much as the stereotypical Victorian man and make no apologies for this, rather they seem quite proud of the fact.

'When I was as old as you, I was a feeling fellow enough; partial to the unfledged, unfostered, and unlucky; but fortune has knocked me about since: she has even kneaded me with her knuckles' (Chapter 14)

There is foreshadowing here as we later learn of the knocks that 'fortune' has delivered this character. There is a clear contrast with how Jane reacts to her own misfortunes.

'The maniac bellowed: she parted her shaggy locks from her visage and gazed wildly at her visitors' (Chapter 26)

There are a number of references to mental ill health in this chapter which are not appropriate in today's society. It is clear that mental ill health was not understood and was feared at the time of the novel. We both pity and fear this character.

'He had a dark face, with stern features ... I felt no fear of him, and but little shyness' (Chapter 12)

Immediately we see this character is 'dark' and 'stern', which creates suspense. It says a lot about Jane's character that she is not afraid of them.

'To live, for me, Jane, is to stand on a crater-crust which may crack and spue fire any day' (Chapter 20)

There is foreshadowing here and we get some insight into the burden of this character's secret and how they feel about it. Suspense is created in the unpredictability that is hinted at.

'I desired liberty; for liberty I gasped; for liberty I uttered a prayer ... I abandoned it and framed a humbler supplication ... "grant me at least a new servitude!"' (Chapter 10)

Here we see this character's independent spirit, although they are clearly aware of what they can expect from life given their social class: 'servitude'.

'He seemed to use [his eyes] rather as instruments to search other people's thoughts, than as agents to reveal his own: the which combination of keenness and reserve was considerably more calculated to embarrass than to encourage' (Chapter 29)

We get the impression that this character is very secretive. They seem to enjoy having power over others, through their lack of transparency and their belittling of others.

'Women are supposed to be very calm generally; but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint, too absolute a stagnation, precisely as men would suffer' (Chapter 12)

This character represents Brontë's feminist viewpoint through their actions and thoughts. We see the character's independent nature and need to be an independent woman.

'All the men in her circle seemed to admire her and envy me' (Chapter 27)

Here we see the contrast of this character before their marriage compared to how we see them after their marriage. It is questionable whether their fate was caused by ill health or their treatment by their husband.

'Habitually obedient to John, I came up to his chair' (Chapter 1)

Here we see how different this character was at the beginning of the text compared to later, when, as an adult, we see them stand up to the male characters who attempt to dominate them. 

'I was a discord in Gateshead Hall; I was like nobody there' (Chapter 2)

There is irony in this as the character is among family at Gateshead whereas later in the text they fit into other places well, even Lowood, which is arguably the most difficult situation they face.

'My pupil was a lively child, who had been spoilt and indulged, and therefore was sometimes wayward' (Chapter 12)

There are a number of children in the text, some of whom are seen to be spoilt, and others, such as those at Lowood, who face difficulties in their situation. In contrast to the Reed children, this character represents the fact that it is possible to change and develop.

'What it was, whether beast or human being, one could not at first sight, tell: it grovelled, seemingly on all fours; it snatched and growled like some strange wild animal' (Chapter 26)

This character is dehumanised through the use of animalistic imagery and the use of 'it'. This character represents the treatment of women and mental ill health as well as the gender inequality in Victorian marriage. 

'Mama used to teach me to dance and sing, and to say verses' (Chapter 11)

This character's upbringing is clearly a contrast to Jane's. This character seems to have been something for their mother to show off and they represent the frivolity of what was seen at the time to be desirable for young ladies to be good at.

'I read well in his iron silence all he felt towards me: the disappointment of an austere and despotic nature, which has met resistance where it expected submission' (Chapter 34)

The language used to describe this character here speaks volumes. We clearly see their need to dominate those around them, particularly women, so much so they are almost tyrannical in nature. The use of 'expected' further emphasises this.

'I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself' (Chapter 27)

We clearly see the character's moral values here and their independent and determined nature. They reject the easy option, particularly when facing a persuasive male character of higher social class, instead valuing themself and their independence over all else, even love.