Helen holds back her tears when Miss Scatcherd is hitting her because she believes she must bear ill treatment without complaint. Although not a main or major character in Jane Eyre, Helen Burns is important as she helps Jane to evolve while she stays in the Lowood School. The main treat that defines Helen is her passive dignity, as she stands quiet and bears all of the injustices thrown against her, believing that there will come happiness in her life. Helen avoids all type of confrontation to reinforce her role as a martyr, and also to reinforce the main theme of the novel that is the abuse of power and its consequences.
