Final answer:
Jane Withersteen refuses to marry St. John Rivers because she wants to stay true to herself and believes that marrying without love would betray her own soul, despite the pressures from her religious community.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jane Withersteen, the protagonist in the novel, is faced with a moral dilemma when it comes to the prospect of marrying St. John Rivers. Her decision to refuse marriage is deeply rooted in her need to stay true to herself. Despite the mounting pressure from her religious community, Jane prioritizes her own values and happiness over the expectations imposed on her. Her resistance is a stand against the notion of marriage as a duty rather than an act of love and personal choice. Jane Withersteen is confident in her belief that marrying without love would be betraying her own soul, and this conviction is stronger than the fear of social or material loss. This narrative explores themes of personal autonomy, religious versus personal ethics, and the complexity of choice in the face of societal norms.