St John

• “it was like a Greek face, very pure in outline; quite a straight, classic nose;”‘


  ‘Straight’ and ‘Pure’ personality, contrast to the dark and brooding Mr Rochester
• “something about his nostril, his mouth, his brow, which, to my perceptions, indicated elements within either restless, or hard, or eager.”


  Focused more on his personality than his appearance - Good judge of character, immediately sees his coldness
• “Barrier to friendship” “did not appear to enjoy that mental serenity…… should be the reward of every sincere Christian and practical philanthropist.”


  Reserved, never enjoys any pleasure, Calvinist - contrast to Mary and Diana
• “A year ago, I was myself intensely miserable because I thought I had made a mistake in entering the ministry; its uniform duties wearied me to death...I will overcome.'”


  Shows the humanity in his character, but also his determination of faith - he shows a vocational discipleship (a dedication to ensuring that others follow the word of God)
• “while I love Rosamund Oliver so wildly...she would not make me a wife…” “Reason and not feeling is my guide”


  A foil to Mr Rochester, who is impulsive and emotional - Tragedy in the fact that St John isn’t willing to follow his desire and love for Rosamund, instead he reserves religious self control
•  “God and Nature intends you for a missionary's wife. It is not personal...you are formed for labour, not for love.”


  His marriage proposition is a business proposal - impersonal and functional

  St. John's absolute, God-sanctioned despotism (exercise of absolute power) becomes apparent in this chapter
•  "a white stone" “cold cumbrous column"


  Dedicated to a life of helping others, but no warmth, Brocklehurst was a "black pillar," St. John is morally good, but cold and controlling
• "the sole helpmeet I can influence efficiently in life, and retain absolutely till death"


  St. John’s imperialist nature - his desire to control his wife completely, as how he wishes to indoctrinate the “savages” in India
• “Civilise the savages” / "forgets, pitilessly, the feelings and claims of little people, in pursuing his own large views" (Jane)


  His goal on his mission is to convert the Indians to Christianity - British Nationalism - In his zealous Christianity, he sees the Indians as an inferior race and hopes to implant British values in their supposedly deficient minds. (postcolonial reading)