Primarily, the development of St. John completes the spectrum of practices of Christianity.  Throughout the novel, we have met Helen Burns, a patient and merciful young girl, Mr. Brocklehurst, a deceitful and insincere man, and now St. John.  In addition to these main religious figures, others, such as Mr. Rochester, John Reed, and Mrs. Reed have appeared. 

            Helen Burns proves to be the calmest and most reflective of the characters, acknowledging in a conversation with Jane about retaliating against Miss Scratcherd that "it is far better to endure patiently a smart which nobody feels but yourself, than to commit a hasty action whose evil consequences will extend to all connected with you and besides, the Bible bids us return good for evil.  Yet it would be your duty to bear it, if you could not avoid it.  It is weak to say you cannot bear what it is your fate to be required to bear" (67).  She understands duty and patience, and she is able to give forgiveness without letting her emotions control her.  In this sense, she is able to "clearly distinguish between the criminal and his crime; I can so sincerely forgive the first while I abhor the last; with this creed, revenge never worries my heart, degradation never too deeply disgusts me, injustice never crushes me too low.  I live in clam,looking to the end" (71).

             On the other hand, Mr. Brocklehurst applies rigid principles to those around him, going so far as to disdain naturally curly hair when he proclaims "'Julia Severn, ma'am!  And why has she, or any other, curled hair?  Why, in defiance of every precept and principle of this house, does she conform to the world so openly here, in an evangelical charitable establishment as to wear her hair one mass of curls'" (77).  His message is contradictory.  In an effort to be simple and conform to the world, he suggests taking additional measures to prepare one's appearance, actions that aren't simple.

            And, finally, St. John is also stuck in principles, like Mr. Brocklehurst, but he is also ambitious and active in his faith.  He contradicts one's feelings and relationship with God by forcing sentiments on Jane in his proclamation "Then I must speak for [Jane's heart]" (465).  Instead of letting her find her own path, he tries to make it her calling to marry him and move to India.  Each person has their own impact they're called to make on the world.   Mr. Brocklehurst's dictating others' feelings is evident in this conversation with Jane:

            "'It is all very well for the present,' said he; "but seriously, I trust that when the first flush of vivacity is over, you will look a little higher than domestic            endearments and household joys.'

            'The best things the world has!' I interrupted.

            'No, Jane, no; this world is not the scene of fruition.  Do not attempt to make it so; nor of rest do not turn slothful.'" (453)

            Personally, this is one of my biggest pet peeves. Whether it happens in a religious setting or in a business setting, I hate it when people deem certain motivations or goals less worthy or admirable than others.

            In addition to these three characters, Charlotte Bronte also introduces characters with different sentiments, such as the Reeds and the Rivers sisters.  What comment is she trying to make with this spectrum of characters?  How do they relate to the differences in religion we're discussing in class today?

             On a side note, I loved this passage: "Night has come, and her planets were risen; a safe, still night; too serene for the companionship for fear.  We know that             God is everywhere; but certainly we feel His presence most when His works are on the grandest scale spread before us; and it is in the unclouded night-sky, where His worlds wheel their silent course, that we read clearest His infinitude, His omnipotence, His omnipresence" (377).