Similarities Between Helen Burns And Jane

Helen Burns vs. Cosette “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”(Albert Schweitzer) In both of the novels Les Miserables and Jane Eyre, there were characters who sparked ideas and philosophies for the other characters in the story as well as the reader. In Jane Eyre, one of the most influential characters in the whole stories was Helen Burns, and in Les Miserables an important central character is that of Cosette. These two supporting characters have a variety of similarities. Helen Burns and Cosette are similar in that they are a bright light to those around them, optimistic through whatever life throws their way, and both had a difficult childhood. Helen was a light to those around her because she spread hope wherever
Throughout the blatantly depressing story of Les Miserables, Cosette’s life had some of the few blissful moments we see in the entire book. For example, when the protagonist Jean Valjean rescues Cosette or when she and Marius become married, we are reminded that not everything that happened to the characters was miserable. Cosette was the pride and joy of Jean Valjean’s life and the only thing he believed he did right was rescuing and parenting her. Her long golden hair, shined bright and reminded Jean Valjean, of Cosette’s mother Fantine and the hope he had of heaven. Cosette was also a sign of the hope for a better tomorrow. Whenever we see her, we cannot help but hope her and Marius will live happy lives together in the future despite the bitter endings of the other characters. A similar character, whose bright golden hair symbolizes the hope of a better tomorrow, is the revolutionist leader Enjolras, who wants nothing more than for every man to be free of inequality and surrounded by citizens with pride in their countries