Character Analysis: Bessie

In Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, Bessie Lee is a minor yet impactful character who plays a significant role in the protagonist's early life. Though her presence is relatively brief, Bessie serves as an important figure in the narrative, offering insight into Jane's character, highlighting key themes, and representing broader social dynamics of the Victorian era.

Bessie Lee is a servant at Gateshead Hall, the home of Jane's aunt, Mrs. Reed. Among the household staff, Bessie is the one who exhibits occasional kindness and sympathy toward young Jane, who suffers abuse and neglect at the hands of her aunt and cousins. Bessie is depicted as a young, attractive woman with a fondness for storytelling and singing, which comforts Jane during her isolated childhood.

Although Bessie does not possess the power to change Jane's situation, her small acts of compassion—such as singing to Jane or showing concern for her well-being—provide Jane with rare moments of emotional reprieve. This makes Bessie a significant figure in Jane's early development, serving as a subtle counterbalance to the cruelty she experiences.

Symbolically, Bessie represents the limited but meaningful kindness that exists within a harsh and hierarchical society. Her position as a servant places her only slightly above Jane in terms of social standing, and yet she manages to exert a small, positive influence on Jane's life. Bessie symbolizes the possibility of humanity and moral integrity within the constraints of a rigid class system.

Moreover, Bessie's songs and fairy tales introduce the theme of imagination and storytelling that recurs throughout the novel. Jane finds comfort and escape in these narratives, which help her develop her inner world. This early exposure to the power of stories is foundational for Jane, who later becomes a governess and a reflective narrator in her own right.

Bessie's reappearance later in the novel—when Jane visits Gateshead to see the dying Mrs. Reed—serves a narrative function of showing how much Jane has grown. Bessie, now married and a mother, represents a life of conventional domesticity. Her pride in Jane's accomplishments, especially Jane's position at Thornfield and her genteel demeanor, affirms Jane's upward mobility and personal development.

This reunion also highlights the theme of memory and continuity. Through Bessie, readers are reminded of Jane's origins and how far she has come. Bessie remembers Jane as a willful, passionate child and is impressed by her transformation into a composed and educated young woman. This contrast underscores the novel's coming-of-age structure.

Bessie's character subtly critiques the social order of Victorian England. As a servant, Bessie occupies a liminal space: she is neither part of the family nor entirely disconnected from it. Her interactions with Jane reflect the complexity of class relations, where affection and distance coexist. Despite her kindness, Bessie sometimes scolds or dismisses Jane, reinforcing her subordinate status. These contradictions illustrate the limited agency of lower-class individuals, especially women, within domestic spheres.

Additionally, Bessie represents the nurturing aspects of femininity within the novel. While other female figures at Gateshead—such as Mrs. Reed and her daughters—embody cruelty and indifference, Bessie's warmth offers a glimpse of maternal care. In a novel where motherhood is often absent or problematic, Bessie serves as a surrogate mother figure, albeit in a limited capacity.

Bessie Lee, though a minor character in Jane Eyre, holds substantial narrative and symbolic weight. She provides early emotional support to Jane, introduces themes of storytelling and imagination, and represents the complexities of class and gender in Victorian society. Her character serves as a touchstone for Jane's development, offering a measure of continuity and a contrast to other figures in the novel. Through Bessie, Charlotte Brontë subtly critiques social hierarchies and highlights the resilience and humanity of those who, like Jane, navigate oppressive structures with dignity and compassion.

Other characters in the book: