Jane Eyre and Helen Burns Comparison
Jane Eyre and Helen Burns are best friends at Lowood, but they both see the world differently. Each one is treated individually and handles their punishments in their own way. They both cherish their faith, but it can’t exactly solve all their problems in life. That is why they turn to each other and be supportive throughout their time at Lowood. Even though the school isn’t fair and is tough on the girls, they still manage to stay true to themselves. To begin with, Jane and Helen have different personalities.
Jane is more of a rebel, while Helen prefers to just go with the flow. Jane has a sense of self-worth, dignity, a commitment to justice and principle, a trust in god, and a passionate disposition. She is also an intelligent, honest, plain-featured firl forced to contend with oppression, inequality, and hardship. Meanwhile, Helen manifests a certain strength and intellectual maturity. Like Jane, Helen is restlessly imaginative and ornery. Although, Helen’s submissive and ascetic nature highlights Jane’s headstrong character.
Both Jane and Helen are orphans that long for a home and fair treatment. Helen believes that she will find her home in Heaven rather than Northern England, while Jane longs for love and freedom. With this in mind, Jane does not like it when people treat her poorly, so she’s always ready to strike back. Helen doesn’t like receiving cruel punishment either, but she prefers to just accept it because she knows it’s never going to stop. She endures her miserable life with a passive dignity that Jane can’t understand. Jane struggles to find others who understand her.
Helen in some ways is a more mature version of Jane because of the way she handles situations and pushes her way through life. Above all, both girls turn to their faith to help them endure their life at Lowood. Helen represents a mode of Christianity that stresses tolerance and acceptance. She trusts her own faith and turns the other cheek to the Lowood policies. She believes that justice will be found in God’s ultimate judgement – God will reward the good and punish the evil. On the other hand, Jane us unable to have such blind faith. She counts on God for support and guidance in her search.
Her quest is for love and happiness in this world. All in all, Jane Eyre and Helen Burns are two very different girls dealing with similar struggles at Lowood. They may turn to each other for help, but they also turn to their faith. Their faith is a major part of what keeps them going strong in life, as well as friendship. Jane and Helen may not like the way that there are treated, but they manage to deal with it and make their way through life’s toughest battles. They just listened to their heart and believed in themselves and each other.
