Jane's marginal status as an orphan is partially obviated by various parental figures who appear in the novel. For example, Bessie and Miss Temple play very maternal roles and take Jane under their protection when she is falsely accused. However, although Miss Temple was incredibly important to Jane during her time at Lowood, she loses herself to Jane after her marriage to a clergyman. Only Bessie, the Gateswood maid, manages to maintain an ongoing relationship with Jane. Despite her minor role in the novel, Bessie is all the more important because she was the first mother figure for the beleaguered Jane. She is the only model of female kindness Jane saw as a child. Jane is enormously grateful for his attention – and the reader suspects that without it Jane's fate might be very different. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The reader first meets Bessie when she and her counterpart, Miss Abbot, are called upon to respond to Jane's outburst against John. The difference in language and tone between Miss Abbot and Bessie is immediately apparent. While Miss Abbot is quick to condemn Jane for being "a sneaky little thing" and reminds her to repent lest "something bad should be allowed to come down the chimney" (10), Bessie is more impartial. At first, Bessie grants Jane's request not to be tied down in exchange for a promise to stay put. During this exchange, Bessie looks at Jane and tries to realistically assess the situation. Jane's awareness that Bessie is assessing the situation instead of giving her a blinding prejudice is evidence in her observation "and when she satisfied herself that I was really calming down, she loosened her grip on me" (10). Although this assessment seems trivial, it is the first time in the novel that anyone tries to see Jane for who she is. All the other figures in Jane's life seemed to automatically condemn her without seeing her for who she was. Unlike the other characters, Bessie acts on knowledge and compassion rather than prejudice. There is also a very clear difference in the way Abbott and Bessie address Jane. As noted above, Abbot is quick to criticize Jane. His remarks are meant to sting. In comparison, Bessie warns Jane that the workhouse will be the logical result of her actions. Although Jane's situation may be enormously unfair, Bessie's remarks are calculated to protect Jane by reminding her of the harsh consequences of her behavior. It is important to note that Bessie is not critical: she refrains from criticizing. Unlike Abbot, he uses "no harsh voice" and speaks in positive terms reminding Jane to be "helpful and pleasant". Thus, without opposing the Reeds or the Abbot, Bessie establishes herself as Jane's protector at home. Bessie's role as protector is firmly established after Jane's hysterical episode in the red room. Bessie responds as she did before, assessing the situation and asking questions. Unlike Abbot who judges harshly without any knowledge, Bessie asks, "Miss Eyre, is she ill?" This evaluation continues later when Mr. Lloyd takes care of Jane. Bessie asks variously, "Do you feel like you should sleep?" and “do you want to drink or eat something?” The only people who give Jane the freedom to assert individual responses are Bessie and Mr. Lloyd. Bessie's kindness reaches straight to Jane's heart. She notes that when she awoke in the nursery, she was aware that someone was "lifting me up and supporting me in a sitting position, and this more tenderly than I had ever been lifted or supported before" (15). Bessie's kindness continued throughout.Jane's recovery Unlike Mrs. Reed who was almost entirely out of the picture, Bessie brings Jane food from the kitchen on a specially painted plate that has captured Jane's imagination and sweetly sings songs about the fate of "the poor orphan child ” (17-18). ). Although relatively helpless, Bessie behaves as a good mother would, taking every measure possible to ensure that Jane is removed from Gateswood. The reader suspects that Bessie may have provided further information to Mr. Lloyd about Jane's marginal status in the house when she invited him into the breakfast room with her before conferring with Mrs. Reed about Jane's condition. After providing the initial encouragement for Jane to be sent to school, it is Bessie who finds Jane and ensures that her face is washed and her dirty apron removed before her interview with Lowood's headmaster, Mr. Brocklehurst. Every step of the way, the reader sees Bessie aiding the process by which Jane finally leaves. It is important to note that Bessie's motherly acts are not limited to kindness. There are several instances where Bessie scolds Jane – and in one of the few lighthearted moments of Jane's childhood, Jane mocks Bessie for this scolding. However, each instance of such reproach is marked by Bessie's knowledge of Jane's character and her situation in the world. Bessie hopes that Jane will learn to be more accommodating to the world and will be treated better in return. Unlike the harshness of Miss Abbot and Mrs. Reed, Bessie's scolding is motivated by a desire to help Jane. Bessie's final maternal act during Jane's stay in Gateshead is to prepare Jane to leave and say goodbye. Here, Bessie seems determined that Jane's last days will be marked by the affection that was so completely missing there. In a tender exchange the day before Jane's leave, Bessie provides her final help by saying, “I'll ask the cook to make you a little cake, and then you'll help me look through your drawers; because I will soon prepare your trunk. Missis intends for you to leave Gateshead in a day or two and choose what toys you would like to take with you” (33). Bessie uses this opportunity to assure Jane that "I think I am fonder of you than of any of the rest." (33). When Jane actually leaves the next day, Bessie goes to Jane's at 5:00. Finding Jane already dressed and washed, Bessie prepares breakfast. The two leave Gateshead in the dark and cross the dirt road to the doorman. Having assured Jane that she is first in his heart, like a good mother, he pushes Jane into the world and into the hands of the coachman. In each of the exchanges mentioned above, Bessie was consistently the one to show kindness towards Jane and attempt to improve her place in the world. It is this kindness that allows Jane to move forward in the world and under the wing of her soon-to-be surrogate mother. Miss Temple. Bessie appears two more times in the novel. These appearances merit examination because they coincide with major transition periods in Jane's life and speak to the long-term relationship between Jane and Bessie. The first time Bessie reappears is just before Jane leaves Lowood. This also coincides with the permanent loss of Miss Temple, Jane's other maternal figure. Without Miss Temple, Lowood has become an empty place in the world for Jane, who has decided to venture beyond its borders and into private service. This was a scary and dangerous step for Jane to take as she entered a world that offered virtually no protection. It is at this time that Bessie reports that “I thought I would leave and check you out before I was out of mine., 2001.