Character Traits:
* Kind and compassionate: She is deeply empathetic and always puts others before herself, even sacrificing her own comfort for Jane's well-being.
* Patient and forgiving: She endures immense hardship with incredible grace and never harbors resentment towards those who mistreat her, even the cruel Miss Scatcherd.
* Religious and devout: Her faith offers her solace and strength, guiding her actions and allowing her to face death with peace.
* Selfless and altruistic: Her focus is on others' happiness and well-being, prioritizing their needs over her own.
* Wise and introspective: Despite her young age, she possesses a mature understanding of life's complexities and her own mortality.
Impact on Jane:
* Moral compass: Helen serves as a model of virtue and selflessness for Jane, shaping her own moral development and guiding her actions.
* Strength in adversity: Helen's resilience and acceptance of suffering inspire Jane to endure the hardships she faces at Lowood and later in life.
* Importance of inner strength: Her example demonstrates that true strength lies in inner fortitude and a strong moral foundation, rather than physical dominance or social status.
* Acceptance of death: Helen's peaceful death, despite her suffering, prepares Jane for facing loss and mortality later in the novel.
Symbolism:
* Innocence: Helen embodies innocence and purity, representing the lost potential of childhood under oppressive conditions.
* Sacrifice: Her death, while tragic, also serves as a symbol of the sacrifice made by many children in Victorian England due to poor social conditions and inadequate care.
* Spiritual strength: She embodies the power of faith and inner strength in the face of suffering, suggesting that true happiness comes from within, not from external circumstances.
Overall: Helen Burns is a complex and significant character in Jane Eyre. Her influence on Jane is profound, shaping her moral compass, her strength, and her understanding of life's complexities. Through Helen, the novel explores themes of morality, suffering, and the importance of inner strength and spiritual faith.