Question

Compare and contrast the characters of Jane Eyre and Helen Burns in the novel, Jane Eyre. How does Helen act as a foil to Jane? Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

Answer 1

Helen and Jane become fast friends after they meet on the orphanage playground.  Helen is a foil to Jane. Helen acts as a dramatic foil.  A foil is a character that has opposing characteristics to highlight specific characteristics in another character. A foil is when two characters have high contrasting traits, which make those specifics characteristics stick out.  

Where Helen trusts in happiness and a home in her next life in Heaven and tolerates the suffering at Logwood, Jane needs that happiness to be lived now on this Earth. Where Helen is submissive, Jane is headstrong. Helen easily forgives, while Jane holds onto grudges for long periods of time. Helen is humble. Helen is meant to be a foil for Jane, and to be an example for Jane. In contrast to Helen's personality, Jane has the total opposite approach to life.  

Jane Eyre does not have the same faith as Helen; she has trouble believing in a God, she's never seen and seeks to find happiness on earth.