Shirley: Analysis of Major Characters
"Shirley: Analysis of Major Characters" provides a deep exploration of the key figures in Charlotte Brontë's novel "Shirley," set against the backdrop of early 19th-century Yorkshire. At the center is Shirley Keeldar, a wealthy and independent woman who challenges societal norms regarding marriage and gender roles. She embodies a strong moral compass, actively assisting unemployed millworkers and striving for social change. Her eventual romance with her former tutor, Louis Gérard Moore, highlights themes of understanding and genuine connection.
Louis, with his quiet intelligence, supports Shirley’s independence while facing familial and societal obstacles. Contrasting him is Robert Gérard Moore, a complex character driven by business acumen who struggles between his ruthless side and his capacity for kindness. Caroline Helstone, the sweet and self-effacing cousin of the Moores, serves as a supporting yet significant figure, ultimately finding love with Robert. The narrative unfolds with a variety of additional characters, including the domineering Mr. Sympson and the supportive Mrs. Pryor, each contributing to the intricate social fabric that defines the community. This character analysis invites readers to reflect on the interpersonal dynamics and societal critiques woven throughout the story.
Shirley: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Charlotte Brontë
First published: 1849
Genre: Novel
Locale: Yorkshire, England
Plot: Psychological
Time: Mid-nineteenth century
Shirley Keeldar, the mistress of Fieldhead, a young woman of wealth who owns estates in Yorkshire. A spirited, independent woman of great sense, she finds marriage difficult to contemplate because she does not wish to put herself into the hands of a man who is after her money or a weakling who has no moral fiber of his own. Most of all, she fears submitting to someone who might be a domestic tyrant. Beneath her independent spirit, Shirley is a good-hearted, warm person eager to help anyone who needs assistance. She has a social conscience and tries to organize in the surrounding parishes a system of giving charitable aid to the families of unemployed millworkers. She eventually falls in love with Louis Gérard Moore, her former tutor, and marries him.
Louis Gérard Moore, a young man of Belgian and English ancestry who, because of his family's straitened circumstances, becomes a tutor in the family of Mr. Sympson, Shirley's uncle. Moore, a quiet, intelligent man, loves Shirley deeply. Through his patience and wisdom, he comes to understand her and to help her understand herself. He wins her for his wife despite his impecunious circumstances and the opposition of Shirley's uncle, her former guardian.
Robert Gérard Moore, a textile manufacturer and Louis Moore's brother. The mill he operates is rented from Shirley Keeldar. Robert Moore is a man with two sides to his nature. He is a hard-headed businessman for whom his mill and financial success are paramount. Under the domination of this side of his character, he battles ruthlessly with unemployed workers to try to prevent modernization of his factory. Politically, he opposes the embargo of British ports caused by the Napoleonic wars. Once removed from the scene of business and politics, however, he becomes a different man, loving, thoughtful, and kind. Influenced by the harder side of his character, he tries to marry Shirley Keeldar, but she refuses his suit because she realizes that he is more interested in her wealth than in her. Later, he woos and marries Caroline Helstone, whom he truly loves.
Caroline Helstone, a distant cousin of Louis and Robert Moore. She is reared by a widowed uncle, the rector of the parish, who treats her as kindly as his austere nature allows. Caroline, a beautiful, sweet, and reticent young woman whom everyone likes, becomes Shirley Keeldar's close friend. In love with Robert Moore, she keeps her love to herself when she thinks that Robert Moore and Shirley are in love, for she believes a match with Shirley would be better for her beloved. Eventually, Moore and Caroline discover their love for each other and are married on the same day as Shirley and Louis Moore.
Mr. Helstone, the rector of Briarfield parish, Caroline's uncle. He is a clergyman who would have been better fitted for a career as a military officer. In the conflicts between the workers and the mill owners, he is a great help to the manufacturers, even to participation in a pitched battle. He is liberal with his money to his niece, but he is not capable of giving her warmth and understanding.
Mr. Malone, the bumptuous Irish curate to Mr. Helstone.
Mrs. Pryor, Shirley Keeldar's companion and former governess, a quiet, reticent woman of charm and fading beauty. She takes a great liking to Caroline Helstone and becomes her close friend. After nursing Caroline through a serious illness, she reveals herself as Mrs. James Helstone, Caroline's mother and the rector's sister-in-law. She had changed her name because she feared that her late husband, then living, would find her and force her to live with him under desperate circumstances.
Sir Philip Nunnely, a young peer given to writing bad poetry. He falls in love with Shirley Keeldar but his suit is rejected.
Mr. Sympson, Shirley Keeldar's uncle and former guardian. He is a weak but tyrannical man who takes his family to Fieldhead in hopes of dominating Shirley, even though she is of age and can make her own decisions. He tries to force Shirley to accept each of several suitors in turn and is horrified when she announces her love for Louis Moore. Sympson is ejected by Moore for insulting his former ward.
Mrs. Sympson, his patient, well-bred wife.
Henry Sympson, their only son, who is crippled. He is Louis Moore's pupil.
The Misses Sympson, their prim and proper daughters, older than Henry.
Hortense Moore, the sister of Louis and Robert Moore. She keeps house for Robert during his bachelorhood. More Belgian than English, she is unhappy in Yorkshire.
Michael Hartley, a crazed and drunken millworker who shoots Robert Moore from ambush and seriously endangers his victim's life. Himself a victim of drink, Hartley dies a few months after the shooting.
Miss Mary Ann Ainley and Miss Margaret Hall,twospinsters who perform deeds of charity among the poor of Briarfield parish. Shirley Keeldar gives them three hundred pounds to distribute among the needy unemployed.