St. John Rivers

St. John Rivers is a character from Charlotte Brontë's novel "Jane Eyre." He is a clergyman and Jane's cousin, representing duty and sacrifice. Rivers is depicted as ambitious and morally upright but emotionally reserved, contrasting with the passionate nature of Jane's character. He offers her a sense of belonging and proposes marriage, motivated by a desire for a partner in his missionary work rather than love. His character raises questions about the balance between duty and affection, highlighting the complexities of personal sacrifice and the nature of relationships in the context of 19th-century societal expectations.