1. Images of Light and Fire:
* Light: St. John is often described with imagery of light, particularly a "clear, pale, and spiritual" kind. This suggests his purity, intellect, and otherworldly aura. He is described as having "a brilliant and beautiful countenance" and "a spirit that burned within".
* Fire: This imagery, often paired with light, further emphasizes St. John's intensity and passion. He is described as "burning" with a "fiery zeal" for his missionary work and "glowing with a fervent, almost fanatical, zeal". This fire can also represent the burning passion of his religious devotion, which ultimately consumes him.
2. Images of Hardness and Severity:
* Stone: St. John is often described as "hard" and "unyielding" in his demeanor, like a "stone statue" or a "monument". This emphasizes his stoicism, his lack of emotional expression, and his unwavering adherence to his principles.
* Iron: Similar to stone, iron imagery reinforces St. John's rigidness and lack of flexibility. He is compared to "iron" or "steel", suggesting his strength, but also his inflexibility and his resistance to emotional vulnerability.
These contrasting images of light and fire versus hardness and severity create a complex picture of St. John. He is both attractive and appealing, with his passion and intellect, but also emotionally distant and unbending, making him an ultimately unsuitable partner for Jane.