Monday, October 4, 2010
First Week Teacher's Thread
If Helen Burns seems "too good to be true" to you, how does that reflect on either the narrator's perception or the author's development of character? Are there other characters in the first 8 chapters that seem too "flat" to you? What expectations do you have of the balance of the novel, given the characters you've met so far?
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Helen Burnes is depicted as an extraordinarily kind child. You don't meet "perfect people" often throughout your life. The question is,is Helen Burns a flat person? A flat person is a person with not many characteristics that make them different from everyone else - they are not well rounded. Helen Burns does not see her teachers as mean, she sees them as strict because they are there to help you learn; she believes that everyone is good. In chapter 9, Helen passes away in Jane's arms, and as she dies she wishes for Jane not to feel sorrow of her death. Helen is not "flat" because although it seems that "perfect" is her only shining trait, she is an admirable, fun friend. Her character does not bore me, she excites me because she seems like a young child with much wisdom.
ReplyDeleteAdding on what Tara said, I think Helen doesn't demonstrate a characteristic of a "flat character" by being a devout person. She just stands on what she believes in and I think it's a powerful trait in a way that she visions differently from others. She's always on the bright side and that what makes her different.
ReplyDeleteI feel that Helen Burns serves more as a balance for Jane's hardships at Lowood then the author's conveyance of a perfect character. Helen is important in Jane's initial days at Lowood; she not only becomes her close friend but also serves as a personal conciliator. She provides Jane with comfort in times of adversity and this keeps her sane.
ReplyDelete"Resting my head on Helen's shoulder, I put my arms round her waist; she drew me to her, and we reposed in silence." — Chapter 8, 15%
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