Character guide

Jane Eyre

major

Also known as Jane, Miss Eyre, Miss Jane, Miss Jane Eyre, Eyre, dear Jane, cousin Jane Eyre, Jane Elliott, Little Jane, J. E., Mademoiselle Eyre

Orphaned governess who becomes the narrator and central protagonist, seeking love and independence.

Mr. Rochester

major

Also known as Rochester, The present Mr. Rochester, Mr. Rowland Rochester, Mr. Rowland, Rowland, Edward Fairfax Rochester, Edward Rochester, Edward, Mr. Edward, Poor Mr. Edward, Monsieur Edouard Fairfax de Rochester, Monsieur Rochester, Fairfax Rochester, Fairfax, Jane Rochester, my master, My Master, the master, that master, Your master

Byronic master of Thornfield Hall who falls in love with Jane despite his dark secret.

St. John Rivers

major

Also known as Master John, John, Mr. John, St. John, Mr. St. John, St., old Mr. Rivers, Mr. St. John Rivers, John Eyre, St. John Eyre Rivers

Austere clergyman who shelters Jane and later proposes a missionary marriage.

Mrs. Reed

supporting

Also known as Reed, Dear Mrs. Reed, Aunt Reed

Jane's cruel aunt who raises her at Gateshead after her parents' death.

Helen Burns

supporting

Also known as Burns, Helen

Jane's saintly friend at Lowood School who teaches her forbearance.

Miss Temple

supporting

Kind superintendent of Lowood School who becomes Jane's mentor.

Bertha Mason

supporting

Also known as Bertha Antoinetta Mason, Antoinetta, Bertha, Mason, Miss Mason

Rochester's mad first wife confined to the attic of Thornfield Hall.

Adèle Varens

supporting

Also known as Adèle, Miss Adèle, little Adèle, Little Adèle, Mademoiselle Adela, Mademoiselle, Miss Adela, Adela

Rochester's lively French ward whom Jane tutors at Thornfield.

Mrs. Fairfax

supporting

Also known as God Mrs. Fairfax, tranquil Mrs. Fairfax, a Fairfax, simple dame Fairfax, kind Mrs. Fairfax

Kindly housekeeper of Thornfield Hall who welcomes Jane.

Blanche Ingram

supporting

Also known as Miss Ingram, Ingram, the beautiful Miss Ingram, the Honourable Blanche, Blanche, Blanche Ingram, Mrs. Fairfax of Blanche Ingram

Haughty society beauty whom Rochester courts to make Jane jealous.

Diana Rivers

supporting

Also known as Diana

Intelligent and kind sister of St. John who befriends Jane.

Mary Rivers

supporting

Also known as Mary

Gentle sister of St. John who lives with Diana and Jane.

John Reed

minor

Also known as John, Master Reed, Mr. Reed

Jane's bullying cousin at Gateshead who later dies by suicide.

Georgiana Reed

minor

Also known as Georgiana, a Georgiana Reed of the same place, Miss Georgiana

Jane's vain and beautiful cousin at Gateshead.

Eliza Reed

minor

Also known as Eliza, Lizzy, cousin Eliza, Elizabeth

Jane's cold, religious cousin who becomes a nun.

Bessie Lee

minor

Also known as Bessie, Bessie Lee, Leah, Bessie Leaven, Leaven

Kind nursemaid at Gateshead who shows Jane affection.

Mr. Brocklehurst

minor

Also known as Master Broughton Brocklehurst, the Misses Brocklehurst, Brocklehurst

Hypocritical clergyman who runs Lowood School harshly.

Grace Poole

minor

Also known as Grace, Poole, Mrs. Poole

Servant who guards Bertha Mason in the attic at Thornfield.

Mr. Mason

minor

Also known as Mason

Bertha's brother who reveals her existence at the wedding.

Céline Varens

minor

Also known as Céline, Varens, the Varens, Miss Varens

French opera singer and Rochester's former mistress, Adèle's mother.

Rosamond Oliver

minor

Also known as Miss Oliver, Rosamond

Beautiful heiress whom St. John loves but refuses to marry.

Mr. Lloyd

minor

Apothecary who treats Jane at Gateshead and arranges her schooling.

Miss Scatcherd

minor

Harsh teacher at Lowood who punishes Helen Burns.

John Eyre

minor

Also known as Mr. Eyre, Mr. Eyre of Madeira, Madeira

Jane's uncle who leaves her a fortune, connecting her to the Rivers.

Pilot

minor

Rochester's loyal dog who accompanies him throughout the story.

Sophie

minor

French maid at Thornfield who cares for Adèle.

Abbot

minor

Also known as Miss Abbot

Servant at Gateshead who assists Mrs. Reed.

Robert Leaven

minor

Also known as Robert, little Robert

Coachman at Gateshead who helps Jane leave for Lowood.

Miss Miller

minor

Teacher at Lowood School who greets new students.

Colonel Dent

minor

Also known as Mrs. Colonel Dent, the gentle Mrs. Dent, Mrs. Dent, Dent, Mild Mrs. Dent, Colonel

Guest at Thornfield during Rochester's house party.

Lady Ingram

minor

Also known as the Dowager Lady Ingram, The Dowager, Lady Ingram, the Dowager Ingram, Lord Ingram, Old Lord Ingram, The tall and phlegmatic Lord Ingram

Blanche's proud mother who visits Thornfield.

Mary Ann Wilson

minor

Also known as Mary Ann, Hannah

Jane's friend at Lowood School.

Frederick Lynn

minor

Also known as Mary, Mr. Frederick Lynn, Richard, Lynn, Sir George Lynn, Henry, Henry Lynn, Mr. Henry Lynn, Lady Lynn

Guest at Thornfield Hall during Rochester's party.

Mr. Eshton

minor

Also known as Eshton, Mrs. Eshton, Amy Eshton, Amy, Louisa Eshton, Louisa

Local magistrate and guest at Thornfield with his family.

Mr. Carter

minor

Also known as Carter

Surgeon who treats Mr. Mason after Bertha attacks him.

Mr. Briggs

minor

Also known as Briggs

Lawyer who stops Jane's wedding to reveal Bertha's existence.

Mr. Wood

minor

Also known as Presently Mr. Wood, Wood

Clergyman who nearly marries Jane and Rochester.

Mr. Oliver

minor

Also known as the rich Mr. Oliver

Rosamond's wealthy father who lives near Morton.

Hannah

minor

Servant at the Rivers' house who initially distrusts Jane.

Samuel

minor

Also known as Sam, the said Sam, Samson

Servant at Gateshead who fetches Mr. Lloyd.

Miss Smith

minor

Teacher at Lowood who instructs in sewing.

Miss Gryce

minor

Teacher at Lowood mentioned briefly.

Madame Pierrot

minor

French teacher at Lowood School.

Julia Severn

minor

Also known as Julia

Student at Lowood whose hair is cut by Mr. Brocklehurst.

Madame Joubert

minor

Mentioned as a former teacher at Lowood.

Mary Ingram

minor

Blanche's sister who visits Thornfield.

Theodore

minor

Also known as Tedo

Mentioned as a child at Thornfield party.

Carlo

minor

Also known as old Carlo

Pilot's companion dog at Thornfield.

Old John

minor

Servant at Gateshead who works in the stables.

Mrs. Leaven

minor

Bessie's mother, mentioned briefly.

Miss Elliott

minor

Mentioned as a teacher at Lowood.

Barbara

minor

Servant at Gateshead mentioned in passing.

Clara

minor

Mentioned as a friend of Georgiana Reed.

Giacinta

minor

Mentioned as one of Rochester's former mistresses.

Augusta

minor

Mentioned as a guest at Thornfield.

Bobby

minor

Mentioned as a servant at Gateshead.

Mr. Bates

minor

Mentioned as a surgeon at Lowood.