Characterization - Mrs. Reed

 "You were born, I think, to be my torment: my last hour is racked by the recollection of a deed, which, but for you, I should never have been tempted to commit" (243)

From the beginning of the story, to the moment she is laying on her deathbed, Mrs. Reed had the same views of Jane. Since Jane was an orphan, Mrs. Reed looked down to Jane, event though Jane was her niece. Some could understand why Mrs. Reed would look down to a plain orphan child, that was a little difficult to take care of, but as Jane stands before Mrs. Reed on her deathbed, Jane is a much different person than when she lived with Mrs. Reed, and has out grown many of her displeasing qualities that Mrs. Reed was not fond of. Although Jane has changed for the better, Mrs. Reed still resents Jane for how she acted as a child. While Jane is able to walk away from her horrible times at Gateshead, Mrs. Reed died with her hatred towards Jane still alive.