Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte (fiction/historical)

Jane Eyre is set in the Victorian Era in the mid-1800s. It takes place in Northern England over a
course of five different key locations in which Jane lived throughout her life. First, she lived in
her father's brother's estate called Gateshead Hall with her cousins and aunt. She was then put in
Lowood School for girls where she lived the majority of her childhood for eight years. After
advertising for work opportunities, she became a mistress for a young French girl at the estate of
Edward Rochester called Thornfield Hall. Here she lived a few years. She then ran away to the
poor town of Millcote where she was homeless for a night, but soon discovered the Moor House
where her long lost cousins lived. In the conclusion of the story, she retired with Mr. Rochester in
Ferndean Manor.
Jane Eyre is written in first person. It is narrated by Jane Eyre herself.
1. Mrs. Reed was Jane's aunt who she lived with in her early childhood at Gateshead Hall.
Her physical appearance was stout, but not fat. She had dark hair and eyes and a harsh
jaw line. She did not like Jane at all and looked down upon her. Mrs. Reed was the wife
of the deceased Mr. Reed who was brothers with Jane's mother. Jane's parents died when
she was a baby, leaving Mrs. Reed to look after Jane in addition to her own family. This
is most likely why Jane's aunt showed bitter feelings towards her.
2. Mr. Rochester was the owner of Thornfield Hall. He had dark eyes and a stern brow and
stood somewhat tall and broad-shouldered. He was a very abrupt and harsh man who was
often found giving orders to people or talking down to them. He kept his insane wife
locked away in the attic and unexpectedly fell in love with Jane Eyre and her, with him.
After Jane leaves him, claims her independence and returns to him, they marry and have
a son together.
3. St. John Rivers was the cousin of Jane Eyre who lived with his two sisters at the Moor
House. Jane described St. John as having attractive Greek facial features and a pale
forehead. St. John was a very serious missionary, devoted to his principles. He
determined things based on principles rather than feeling. This is proved in the book
when he asked Jane for her hand in marriage but she declined because it was clear to her
he did not love her. He only wanted a companion for his missionary life, and believed it
was God's will for Jane to be so.
Themes/Motifs
1. Individuality/independence vs. love
2. The power of spirituality/religion
3. The role of women/feminism
This book tells the life of orphan Jane Eyre who, after having a well-received education at a girls
school, works as a mistress for a young French girl in Thornfield Hall. She unexpectedly falls in
love with the master of the house, Mister Rochester while still devoting herself to her own

strength and principles. When discovering the insane, almost witch-like wife Mister Rochester
was keeping in the attic of the mansion, Jane decides to run away. After much difficulty, she
discovers a family of her own, a temporary job and a will given to her by her unknown deceased
uncle of twenty thousand pounds and a mansion. She returns to Mister Rochester in the end
where she nurtures him back to life after he lost his sight and left hand. They marry and have a
son.
The biggest climax in the story was after Jane and Mister Rochester fell in love. The discovery of
their love for each other appears to be the most eventful and exciting part of the book, but is, in
fact not! Right after this, Mister Rochesters unspoken marriage to the insane woman in the attic
is revealed. Jane is hurt and seeks her own independence by unexpectedly running away. I
believe this is the most climactic part of the book.
Though Jane is a Christian and is very faithful to her religion, I find that the overall theme is not
just devotion to religion, but the devotion to ones individual strength as well. The only reason
Jane got through her many life struggles was because she was devoted to her own self-respect.
She does this in many lifetime events such as dealing with Mrs. Reed as a young girl, arriving at
Lowood, falling in love with Mister Rochester and refusing the marriage of St. John. All of these
called for Janes self-independence. As she quotes in the book, I can live alone, if self-respect
and circumstances require me so to do. I need not sell my soul to buy bliss. I have an inward
treasure born with me, which can keep me alive if all extraneous delights should be withheld, or
offered only at a price I cannot afford to give. By this quote we see that this is Janes highest
priority in which she deals with her life struggles.
One significant quote from the book comes from the part when Jane is pondering over whether to
leave Mister Rochester after his marriage to the insane woman is revealed. She considers going
off to live on her own and questions who would ever care for her when she quotes, I care for
myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect
myself. I believe this quote signifies that Jane is independent in her solitude. Throughout her
entire life, it is that which gets her through her struggles.
Another meaningful quote comes from the part when Jane first spills out her true feelings to
Mister Rochester. The quote highlights her feelings of unequal treatment from him, and declares
that she is just the same as him. It says, Do you think I can stay to become nothing to you? Do
you think I am an automaton?a machine without feelings? And can bear to have my morsel of
bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? Do you think,
because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong!I
have as much soul as you,and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty
and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave
you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of
mortal flesh;it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the
grave, and we stood at Gods feet, equal,as we are! It is also significant to the book because it
underlines the historical reference to social class. As it is known that Jane outcries the
importance of womens rights, she also clearly states here the importance of equality amongst
social class, which, at that time, had not been approached.

My opinion of Jane Eyre was that it was very inspiring. I thought it was going to be difficult to
read because of the language of the time it was written compared to the language today, but I
understood it well and found it surprisingly easy to follow. I think I enjoyed it so much because it
is relatable. The way Charlotte Bronte wrote the book is a way that is understandable and
realistic. She approaches problems young girls faced that were not spoken at the era it was
written. I admire Jane Eyres strong will which she had from a young girl to a grown woman.
Her strength amazed me when she unexpectedly left Mister Rochester. It brought me to tears!
Charlotte Bronte definitely captured the portrait of a strong, independent woman whom all young
women should look up to.