St. John Rivers

Another main character in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte besides Mr.Rochester or Jane Eyre is St.John Rivers. St. John Rivers is Jane's relative who is not introduced to the story until the last section of the book. While Jane is homeless and near death she stumbles upon a small home in the woods and is desperate for hope that it will save her. After being rudely denied the help from the maid, Hannah, Jane is discovered on the porch by St.John Rivers and immediately welcomed inside. St.John Rivers showed compassion to her and allowed her to stay until she regained her strength. His sisters, however, fall in love with Jane and insist that she stays." 'My sisters, you see, have a pleasure in keeping you,' "(Bronte, page 423, paragraph 10). St.John also assists Jane with finding employment. Later in the book, Jane finds out they are all actually in blood relation to each other. St.John also asks Jane for her hand in marriage in order for her to accompany him on his mission trip to India. This act completely shocked me and I was so relieved when Jane refused his offer. St.John Rivers is described as being strict, ambitious, very religious, and cold. He is quite the foil to Edward Rochester.

Bronte, Charlotte. The Illustrated Jane Eyre. New York: Viking Studio, 2006. Print.