I hold another creed: which no one ever taught me, and which I seldom mention; but in which I delight, and to which I cling: for it extends hope to all: it makes Eternity a rest – a mighty home, not a terror and an abyss. Besides, with this creed, I can so clearly distinguish between the criminal and his crime; I can so sincerely forgive the first while I abhor the last: with this creed revenge never worries my heart, degradation never too deeply disgusts me, injustice never crushes me too low: I live in calm, looking to the end.
– Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre, Chapter 6. The pious and stoical Helen Burns explains her religious faith to the passionate and rebellious Jane. Continuously victimized by her teachers at Lowood, Helen accepts her punishments without protest, confusing the more feisty Jane. But Helen is able to distinguish between the sinner and the sin, believes in forgiveness and looks forward to Heaven as a welcoming place and her true home. So Helen is not affected by the mistreatment of teachers and the harsh conditions at Lowood. Instead she lives this life “in calm, looking to the end” – here she is referring to the Christian goal of getting to Heaven, as well as foreshadowing her own death.