Adele

When reading Jane Eyre, the reader may skip over Adele without taking into consideration what she adds to the novel. If the reader takes a closer look, Adele acts as a comparison to Jane. First, we can compare and contrast Jane and Adele’s backgrounds. Jane grew up as an orphan who was treated as “less than a servant.” Her aunt took her in only because she felt obligated to due to the promise she made to her late husband. While Adele’s mother had abandoned her and it is not know who her father really is. Rochester felt obligated to take in Adele because he was having an affair with her mother when she was pregnant. Second, we can look at the similarities and differences in their personalities. Adele is Rochester’s doll who he dresses up and pampers. He will give her anything she wants just to stay out of his way. This is shown in the novel when Rochester returns to Thornfield and Adele continually questions and asks about what he bought for her. She is fully of energy and distracted easily. She is concerned with singing and dancing, unlike Jane, who, at this age, was concerned with her education and her independence. Jane takes a different approach when Rochester tries to spoil and pamper her. She refuses the extravagant gifts that Rochester attempts to give. Another important role that Adele holds is the significance that she holds in Jane’s life. Jane’s whole life all she wanted is to find a sense of home and to feel loved. When she arrives at Thornfield, Jane finds a place where she can call home. Although Rochester plays a vital role in this, Adele also contributes to her feelings of home. Jane never truly had a mother figure to look up to until Miss Temple. Miss Temple shows Jane loyalty and trust, two things that Jane did not have growing up. When moving on to Thornfield, Adele gave Jane a chance to become the mother-like figure. Adele adores and, most importantly, loves Jane. Adele gives Jane what she has been searching for. Adele is not the simple character that many people see her as, she has a much more important part in Jane life and the novel as a whole.