JANE EYRE By Charlotte Bront

Jane Eyre, an orphaned child, is cruelly abused by her aunt

and sent to a charity school, where she receives an education,
and eventually takes a job as a governess at the estate of
Edward Rochester. Jane and Rochester begin to bond and
plan to marry. But Rochester is already wedded. Jane flees
and finds temporary refuge at the home of the Rivers family.
It is revealed that Jane and the River siblings are cousins,
despite this St John proposes to Jane, she declines since she
still loves Rochester. She returns to a disabled Edward and
they have a happily ever after.

01/10/2017 By Meg Lambert

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

She was an English novelist that first published

her works under the pen name Currer Bell.

Charlotte Bront was born on 21 April 1816 in Thornton,

west of Bradford in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

01/10/2017 By Meg Lambert

 CONTEXT
In the beginning of the 19th century, few
opportunities existed for women, and thus
many of them felt uncomfortable when
attempting to enter many parts of society. The
absence of advanced educational
opportunities for women and their separation
from almost all fields of work gave them little
option in life: either marry and become a
housewife or a governess. Although today a
tutor may be considered a fairly high class and
intellectual job, in the Victorian era a
governess was little more than a servant who
was paid to share her knowledge with a child.

01/10/2017 By Meg Lambert

 WHY WAS JANE EYRE GROUND-BREAKING?
Jane Eyre can easily be cast as a feminist novel. Bront uses marriage as a way
to portray the power struggle between the sexes. Jane strives for both romantic
interests, Rochester and Rivers, to see her as a partner rather than their
subordinate.
I have as much soul as you, and full as much
heart I am not talking to you now through the
An example of this in chapter 23: 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
Due to the gender divide this would have been incredibly controversial as
Victorian society saw women as lesser than men. This went against the
common viewpoint of society so it was deemed radical. However, most would
argue that Bront was just ahead of her time, her beliefs were progressive even
in todays standard.

01/10/2017 By Meg Lambert

 FEMINISM OR EQUALITY?

I believe that Jane Eyre isnt just a book for feminism but for equality too.
Rochester was crippled after attempting to save Bertha in the fire at Thornfield,
but Jane still marries him despite his difficulties

Also, Janes shift between the classes means she has a unique
perspective on the financial segregation, she evaluates people
based on their behaviour and how they treat her. During her
childhood at Gateshead, Jane is more emotionally attached to
the servant Bessie than to any of her wealthy family members.
"instead of yearning toward the
genteel company, Jane would rather
spend a quiet evening with Bessie"

01/10/2017 By Meg Lambert