It was interesting to see how Charlotte Bronte used physical beauty and vanity to create conflict which ended up being beneficial to the protagonists. One person who Mr. Rochester invited to the party at Thornfield was Blanche Ingram (465). She is characterized as being pulchritudinous, but also proud, inconsiderate, and stuck up. Blanche would put Jane down because she is a governess as if she is any better than Jane. Mr. Rochester seemed to like Blanche Ingram by the way he would sit next to her, talk to her, and even sing with her (242). This was not the best news for Jane since she was beginning to like Mr. Rochester more and more. Jane, no doubt, thought that Mr. Rochester would marry Blanche Ingram because of her beauty and wealth. Since she herself is plain looking and possesses no large fortune, Jane thought that Blanche would be the obvious choice (244). However, Mr. Rochester, who had and ordinary appearance as well, saw the beauty inside of Jane in addition to Blanche Ingram's true personality. In this novel, some of the kindest people are those who appear plain on the outside. Their true beauty lies in their soul. This was a good point made by Charlotte Bronte. When people become so absolved in how they look, they can become stuck-up with themselves and their personality begins to change for the worse.
Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. New York: Reader's Digest, 1984. Print.
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