JaneEyre

　　Theorphanedprotagonistofthestory.Whenthenovelbegins,sheisanisolated,powerlessten-year-oldlivingwithanauntandcousinswhodislikeher.Asthenovelprogresses,shegrowsinstrength.ShedistinguishesherselfatLowoodSchoolbecauseofherhardworkandstrongintellectualabilities.AsagovernessatThornfield,shelearnsofthepleasuresandpainsoflovethroughherrelationshipwithEdwardRochester.Afterbeingdeceivedbyhim,shegoestoMarshEnd,wheresheregainsherspiritualfocusanddiscoversherownstrengthwhensherejectsSt.JohnRiver’smarriageproposal.Bynovel’sendshehasbecomeapowerful,independentwoman,blissfullymarriedtothemansheloves,Rochester.

　　EdwardFairfaxRochester

　　Jane’slover;adark,passionate,broodingman.Atraditionalromantichero,Rochesterhaslivedatroubledwife.MarriedtoaninsaneCreolewoman,BerthaMason,Rochestersoughtsolaceforseveralyearsinthearmsofmistresses.Finally,heseekstopurifyhislifeandwantsJaneEyre,theinnocentgovernesshehashiredtoteachhisfosterdaughter,AdèleVarens,tobecomehiswife.Theweddingfallsthroughwhenshelearnsoftheexistenceofhiswife.Aspenanceforhistransgressions,heispunishedbythelossofaneyeandahandwhenBerthasetsfiretoThornfield.Hefinallygainshappinessatthenovel’sendwhenheisreunitedwithJane.

　　SarahReed

　　Jane’sunpleasantaunt,whoraisesheruntilsheistenyearsold.DespiteJane’sattemptsatreconciliationbeforeheraunt’sdeath,herauntrefusestorelent.ShediesunlovedbyherchildrenandunrepentantofhermistreatmentofJane.

　　JohnReed

　　Jane’snastyandspoiledcousin,responsibleforJane’sbanishmenttothered-room.Addictedtodrinkingandgambling,Johnsupposedlycommitssuicideattheageoftwenty-threewhenhismotherisnolongerwillingorabletopayhisdebts.

　　ElizaReed

　　AnotheroneofJane’sspoiledcousins,Elizaisinsanelyjealousofthebeautyofhersister,Georgiana.ShenastilybreaksupGeorgiana’selopementwithLordEdwinVere,andthenbecomesadevoutChristian.ButherbrandofChristianityisdevoidofallcompassionorhumanity;sheshowsnosympathyforherdyingmotherandvowstobreakoffallcontactwithGeorgianaaftertheirmother’sdeath.Usefulnessishermantra.SheentersaconventinLisle,France,eventuallybecomingtheMotherSuperiorandleavinghermoneytothechurch.

　　GeorgianaReed

　　Eliza’sandJohn’ssister,Georgianaisthebeautyofthefamily.She’salsoshallowandself-centered,interestedprimarilyinherownpleasure.Sheaccuseshersister,Eliza,ofsabotagingherplanstomarryLordEdwinVere.LikeEliza,sheshowsnoemotionfollowingtheirmother’sdeath.Eventually,Georgianamarriesawealthy,butworn-outsocietyman.

　　BessieLee

　　ThemaidatGatesheadwhosometimesconsolesJanebytellingherentertainingstoriesandsinginghersongs.BessievisitsJaneatLowood,impressedbyJane’sintellectualattainmentsandladylikebehavior.Bessiemarriesthecoachman,RobertLeaven,andhasthreechildren.

　　Mr.Lloyd

　　ThekindapothecarywhosuggeststhatJanebesenttoschoolfollowingherhorrifyingexperienceinthered-room.HislettertoMissTempleclearsJaneoftheaccusationsMrs.Reedhasmadeagainsther.

　　Mr.Brocklehurst

　　Thestingy,mean-