Summary
Charlotte Brontë's classic novel Jane Eyre, first published in 1847, remains one of the most influential and beloved works of English literature. This groundbreaking bildungsroman follows the emotional and spiritual development of its titular protagonist, orphaned at a young age, as she faces hardship, becomes a governess, and falls in love with the enigmatic Mr. Rochester. Praised for its innovative first-person narration and exploration of gender roles, social class, sexuality, and morality, Jane Eyre is widely considered an early feminist work for its portrayal of an independent woman. The novel has inspired countless adaptations across media, including the acclaimed 2011 film starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender.
Plot
The novel follows the story of Jane Eyre, a spirited orphan placed in the home of her cruel aunt. At age 10, Jane is sent to a charity school where she endures harsh conditions but gains an education and a social consciousness. As a young woman, she becomes a governess to a young French girl, the ward of the brooding and mysterious Edward Fairfax Rochester. At Thornfield Hall, Jane falls in love with her employer, and Mr. Rochester reciprocates the feeling.
Before long, strange things start to happen at Thornfield—the sound of chilling laughter through the walls, a mysterious fire, an attack on a houseguest. Jane accepts Rochester’s proposal of marriage, but their plans are halted by a shocking revelation: Rochester is already married. His wife, a violent, mentally ill woman named Bertha, is kept locked in the attic. Jane flees Thornfield, nearly dying of exposure before being taken in by the Rivers family. She later learns that she has inherited a fortune from her uncle and the Rivers siblings are her cousins. St. John Rivers proposes marriage to Jane and wants her to accompany him as a missionary to India. Following her heart, Jane refuses.
Jane returns to Thornfield to find it has been burned to the ground by Bertha, who died in the fire. Rochester was injured and blinded while trying to save his wife. Jane reunites with Rochester. In what has become one of the most famous lines in English literature, she states, “Reader, I married him.” They have a son together. The novel ends with Rochester regaining sight in one eye and Jane describing their happy life together.
Themes
Love and independence
Social class and gender inequality
Religion and morality
Family and belonging
Self-realization and personal growth
Gothic elements and the supernatural
Marriage and relationships
Setting
Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre takes place in early 19th century England, during the reign of George III (1760-1820). The novel unfolds against the backdrop of a rapidly changing society, as the Industrial Revolution transforms the economic and social landscape. This era was marked by rigid social hierarchies, strict moral codes, and limited opportunities for women—themes Brontë explores through Jane’s story.
Geographically, Jane Eyre is set primarily in the rugged moors of Northern England. Jane's journey takes her through several distinct locations that shape her experiences. These include Gateshead Hall, where she endures a harsh childhood with her cruel aunt; Lowood Institution, the austere charity school where Jane receives her education; Thornfield Hall, the grand manor where she works as a governess and falls in love with Mr. Rochester; and Moor House, the isolated home where Jane finds refuge and discovers her true family.
The Gothic manor of Thornfield Hall serves as a central setting, likely inspired by North Lees Hall near Hathersage in Derbyshire. With its hidden secrets and mysterious occurrences, Thornfield embodies the Gothic elements of the novel. In contrast, the wild beauty of the Yorkshire moors provides a backdrop that mirrors Jane's passionate nature and desire for freedom. Through these varied settings, Brontë creates a vivid portrait of 19th-century England, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in Jane's world.
Characters
Jane Eyre: The protagonist and narrator. Orphaned as a girl, she survives hardships, becomes a governess, and falls in love with her employer, Mr. Rochester. Describing herself as “little” and “plain,” Jane is passionate, principled, and values her independence.
Edward Rochester: The master of Thornfield Hall and Jane's employer. A Byronic hero figure with a dark past. He falls in love with Jane but is already secretly married.
Bertha Mason: Rochester's first wife, who has gone mad and is kept locked in the attic of Thornfield Hall. Her presence creates mystery and danger.
St. John Rivers: A clergyman who takes Jane in when she flees Thornfield. He proposes marriage to Jane, but she refuses him.
Mrs. Reed: Jane's cruel aunt, who gives her a home as a child but mistreats her. She regrets her actions on her deathbed.
Helen Burns: Jane's friend at Lowood School who dies of consumption. She teaches Jane about Christian forgiveness.
Mr. Brocklehurst: The harsh headmaster of Lowood School who humiliates Jane.
Diana and Mary Rivers: St. John's sisters who befriend Jane. They are later revealed to be Jane's cousins.
Adèle Varens: Rochester's young French ward, to whom Jane is governess at Thornfield.
Grace Poole: Bertha's caretaker at Thornfield, whose strange behavior adds to the mystery.
Quick facts
Jane Eyre is written as a first-person narrative from Jane's perspective. This intimate, confessional style was innovative for its time and allows readers to deeply connect with Jane's inner thoughts and emotions.
Charlotte Brontë began writing Jane Eyre while staying in Manchester, where she was caring for her father who was having cataract surgery.
The author originally published her novel in 1847 under the pseudonym “Currer Bell.”
Jane Eyre was generally well-received by critics but also controversial. Some praised its originality while others deemed the novel “anti-Christian” or improper for its portrayal of passion.
Even after Charlotte’s identity was revealed, many critics speculated that the author was a man, unable to believe a woman could write with such power.
The novel was an immediate commercial success, selling out its first print run of 500 copies within two months.
The character of Helen Burns was based on Charlotte's older sister Maria, who died of tuberculosis at age 11.
Thornfield Hall was likely inspired by North Lees Hall in Derbyshire, which Charlotte Brontë visited in 1845.
Charlotte drew on her own experiences as a governess when writing about Jane's work for Mr. Rochester.
Jane Eyre is considered an early feminist novel because of its exploration of women's independence and equality. Jane asserts herself as Rochester's equal and refuses to compromise her principles or independence for love.
The famous line “Reader, I married him” has been referenced and parodied countless times in literature and popular culture.
The character of Bertha Mason was expanded upon in Jean Rhys's 1966 novel Wide Sargasso Sea.
Jane Eyre has inspired more than 70 adaptations. Notable screen versions include the 1943 classic, starring Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles (featuring a young Elizabeth Taylor, in an uncredited role, as Helen Burns); Franco Zeffirelli’s 1996 film, starring Charlotte Gainsbourg and William Hurt (featuring Anna Paquin as young Jane); and the widely praised 2011 film, starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender.
In 2003, Jane Eyre was ranked number 10 in the BBC's survey of the UK's best-loved books.
About the Author
Charlotte Brontë, born in 1816 in Yorkshire, England, was the eldest of the three famous Brontë sisters whose novels became classics of English literature. Growing up in the remote parsonage of Haworth where her father was curate, Charlotte and her siblings created elaborate imaginary worlds that fueled their creativity. In 1846, after briefly working as a teacher and governess, Charlotte published a collection of poems with her sisters, Emily and Anne, under male pseudonyms. Her literary career took flight.
Charlotte's defining work, the novel Jane Eyre, was published in 1847. Written from a first-person perspective, it tells the story of an orphan who endures hardships, becomes a governess, and falls in love with her enigmatic employer. The novel's combination of romance, gothic elements, and psychological depth was groundbreaking for its time. Charlotte followed this success with Shirley in 1849 and Villette in 1853, further cementing her literary reputation.
While her professional life flourished, Charlotte suffered profound personal losses, with her brother and two sisters dying within an eight-month period between 1848 and 1849. In 1854, she married her father's curate, Arthur Bell Nicholls, finding brief happiness before her untimely death in 1855 at age 38, likely due to complications from pregnancy. Charlotte's final novel, The Professor, was published posthumously in 1857. Charlotte Brontë's legacy as a pioneering novelist who gave voice to women's inner lives continues to resonate with readers around the world.
