Question 1

1. Question 1 • Does this character hold any power or authority over Jane? • “I had silently feared St. John until now, because I had not understood him. He held me in awe because he held me in doubt. How much of him was saint, how much mortal, I could not heretofore tell: but revelations were being made in this conference…I saw his fallibilities. I comprehend them…I felt his imperfections and took courage, I was with an eqaul-one with whom I might argue-one whom if I saw good I might resist” (Bronte 469).

2. Question 2 • What is the source of this power or authority? Is it assigned by social convention, assumed by the individual, or granted by Jane herself? -- Jane is compelled by St. John’s forceful personality to obey despite her internal feelings. “I had silently feared St. John until now, because I had not understood him. He held me in awe because he held me in doubt. How much of him was saint, how much mortal, I could not heretofore tell: but revelations were being made in this conference…I saw his fallibilities. I comprehend them…I felt his imperfections and took courage, I was with an eqaul-one with whom I might argue-one whom if I saw good I might resist” (Bronte 469).

3. Question 3 • What is the nature of this power, is it benevolent, tyrannical, nurturing, etc. -- He has good intentions in regards to his ambitious goals but completely lacks empathy. “…You are formed for labour, not for love. A missionaries wife you must-shall be. You shall be mine: I claim you-not for my pleasure but for my sovereign’s service” (Bronte 289).

4. Question 4 How does this character wield his or her power or authority over Jane? -- St. John wields his power through his way of speaking. His speaking is persuasive and controlling. “St. John was not a man to be lightly refused: you felt that every impression made on him, either for pain or pleasure, was deep-graved and permanent” (Bronte 285).

5. Question 5 • How does Jane react to this person’s exercise of power or authority? -- Jane’s reaction is compliant. “Would I do him this favour? I should not perhaps have to make the sacrifice long, as it wanted now barely three months to his departure” (Bronte 285). “’Jane, what are you doing?’ ‘Learning German.’ ‘I want you to give up German and learn Hindostanee.’ ‘You are not in earnest?” (Bronte 285).