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Theme Of Rivers In Jane Eyre

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Rivers Moral Obscurity The character St. John Rivers, present towards the end of the novel Jane Eyre written by Charlotte Brontë, plays an integral role in the evolution of Jane Eyre’s character towards the end of her story arc. Rivers is first introduced to Jane in chapter 29 where he takes her into his home after she arrives on his doorstep, tired, sad and alone. St. John Rivers, throughout the final chapters of the book, proves himself to be a polarizing character to both the reader and to Jane. He is completely infatuated with the idea of becoming more than he is presently by becoming a missionary, cementing his personage after he dies. But he also is a man of god, following the lord's will in the end, even though he may see the bible in a different light then Jane or the reader. But his truly selfish intentions become clear at the end of his and Jane’s relationship, when he attempts to convince Jane to marry him. His marriage proposal shows him to be encompassed by greed, and overcome with a lust for glory. Throughout his interactions with Jane previous to his proposal, St. John Rivers is always kind, yet cold and devoid of emotion. In many ways he is comparable to Mr. Rochester in that he is completely the opposite of him. St. John Rivers is consistent and calculated, returning to Jane regularly, and keeping a similar mindset throughout his arc. Rivers shows no passion for anything other than himself, which is present in his proposal to Jane. His intentions to marry

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