Did Helen Burns have ADHD?
Journal of Literary & Cultural Disability Studies Abstract: The article argues that Helen Burns, in Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, displays symptoms consistent with the inattentive presentation of ADHD.
How might you describe the character of Helen Burns in Jane Eyre?
Helen Burns is Jane’s only friend at Lowood School. Helen is honest, pious, loyal and compassionate. Helen is continuously victimised by her teachers and regularly takes the punishment without voicing her opinions. This confuses Jane, as she wishes Helen would stand up for herself.
What is different about Helen’s sickness Jane Eyre?
Helen is sick, but not with typhus—Jane learns the horrific news that her friend is dying of consumption. One evening, Jane sneaks into Miss Temple’s room to see Helen one last time. Helen promises Jane that she feels little pain and is happy to be leaving the world’s suffering behind.
How are Jane and Helen Burns different?
And while Helen is not oblivious to the injustices the girls suffer at Lowood, she believes that justice will be found in God’s ultimate judgment—God will reward the good and punish the evil. Jane, on the other hand, is unable to have such blind faith. Her quest is for love and happiness in this world.
Who is Helen Burns based on in Jane Eyre?
Of course, a character this virtuous really couldn’t make it very far into the novel without dying in a tragic yet beautiful way. Maybe it seems less like a formulaic plot device when you know that Helen was based on Charlotte Brontë’s sister Maria, who died young.
Why does Helen Burns fight death?
Helen feels that an early death will save her from great suffering. Because she has no father in the earthly world to mourn her, Helen looks to God, the “mighty universal Parent” to comfort her. While Helen’s resignation allows her to die with dignity, Jane’s courage leads her to face life with zest.
Who is Helen Burns based on?
Charlotte Brontë insisted that Helen Burns in Jane Eyre, based on her sister Maria, was ‘real’.
Is Helen Burns intelligent?
Helen is Jane’s pious best friend at Lowood Institute. Helen is extremely intelligent, calm, and caring, but her most important aspect is her devout religious faith.
What lessons does Helen teach Jane?
If nothing else, Jane did learn one lesson from Helen, that it is better to have a clear conscience than it is to be loved. Helen shows where her confidence and hope lie as she is dying. Jane worries what will happen to Helen when she dies, and questions whether Helen truly believes in a heaven.
What is Helen Burns religion?
Helen represents a mode of Christianity that stresses tolerance and acceptance, and ascetically trusts her own faith.
How does Jane feel about Helen?
Jane notices how Helen seems to be focused on something more positive to help her through the experience. Immediately impressed with Helen’s strength, Jane’s curiosity about her character signals the reader that Helen will be important to the story.