Tuberculosis

“She was not...with the fever patients; for her complaint was consumption, not typhus...” (pg. 93)

During this era, disease was widespread and there was little doctors could do with the few advancements that had been made in medicine. Consumption, or tuberculosis, was a common disease during the 1800s. It was referred to as such because, without proper treatment, those victimized by it would literally waste away. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs, but it can affect many other organs in the body. Bronte intentionally sets Helen apart from the countless other sufferers in order to emphasize her undying strength. By portraying her as being indifferent to the fact that she is going to die (having her willingly accept her fate) Bronte depicts her as a true martyr. Here, Bronte suggests that sacrifice is sometimes necessary. Helen's sacrifice is necessary in the sense that it will build character in Jane and show her how to be strong.

"Tuberculosis (TB) Symptoms, Cause, Transmission, Diagnosis and Treatment on MedicineNet.com." Web. 26 Nov. 2009. http://www.medicinenet.com/tuberculosis/article.htm