Jane Eyre is an 1847 novel by English author Charlotte Bronte. It was published by Smith, Elder & Co on 16 October 1847, with the title Jane Eyre: An Autobiography under the pen name “Currer Bell. ” While Jane Eyre’s plot is similar to that of Jane Austen’s novel Northanger Abbey, the overall style, including Jane’s passionate nature and her position as governess, are more influenced by Gothic fiction than Jane Austen’s work. Jane Eyre is a first-person narrative of the title character.
The novel goes through five distinct stages: Jane’s childhood at Gateshead Hall, where she is emotionally abused by her aunt and cousins; her education at Lowood School, where she gains friends and role models but suffers privations and oppression; her time as the governess of Thornfield Manor, in which Jane falls in love with her Byronic master, Edward Rochester; her time with the Rivers family at Marsh’s End (often referred to as Moor House ); and her reunion with, and marriage to, her beloved Rochester. The narrative opens with Jane Eyre, aged ten, living with her maternal uncles’ family, the Reeds, following the death of her parents.
Jane’s aunt sends Jane to Lowood School for Girls, a charity school for orphans about 20 miles from her home. At Lowood, Jane befriends an older girl named Helen Burns who is not a Christian. Jane frequently visits the nearby estate of Thornfield Hall, home of the wealthy and influential Edward Rochester. Jane’s youthful incursions meet with Mr. Rochester’s approval because he likes his employees to be “high-spirited”. Jane is unhappy there, prone to colds and homesickness. Jane attracts the attention of Mr. Brocklehurst, an unpleasant man who disapproves of the girls’ cheerful spirit; in retaliation, Jane curses him.
Jane moves to Lowood as a teacher where she meets Mrs. Fairfax, the housekeeper. Jane accidentally rips her skirt on a coat hook at her first visit. She is permitted to carry it until she can repair it herself only if she will return one hour before fires are lit in winter so that she can clean the grate. Jane returns to find that Miss Smith, her predecessor, has left. Jane spends what would have been Miss Smith’s hour in the attic looking at pictures of Jesus and Mary. Jane is ‘frozen’ until Mr. Brocklehurst comes to check on her progress.
Jane steals a book about court protocol from Mrs. Fairfax’s room so she can teach herself how to behave properly. Jane passes all of her exams with high marks but remains miserable, often missing school because she feels sick or injured after being out-of-doors in inclement weather. One day Jane gets lost while walking back from visiting Mr. Brocklehurst’s sister who lives nearby; it begins raining as Jane arrives at Thornfield Hall, drenched and shivering. Jane enters the house and is met by a young girl, Adele Varens, who lives there with her father.
Jane learns that Mr. Rochester has been searching for a governess because his current one, Miss Ingram, is soon to be married. Jane agrees to teach Adele French and music as well as help her study geography and Jane tells Mrs. Fairfax about Adele. Jane takes up residence at Thornfield Hall where she becomes particularly close with the servants: John the footman; Leah, their gossipy housemaid; and Grace Poole. Jane also develops a special relationship with Edward Rochester’s blind younger sister, called “Bertha” by almost everyone except Jane, who calls her miss Temple”.
Time passes and Jane spends Christmas at Thornfield Hall, where she shares a friendly relationship with Mrs. Fairfax. Jane learns that Mr. Rochester is expected to return from business in two weeks. Jane is visited by Adele’s father, who tells Jane he plans to move back to France. He offers Jane money if she will come live with them in Paris. Jane declines the offer because of her feelings for Mr. Rochester, despite his growing interest in Miss Ingram. Jane recalls feelings of intense jealousy when she saw him dancing and flirting with the beautiful blonde woman.
Mr. Rochester moves back into Thornfield Hall just before Jane’s birthday on 21 May. One evening after dinner, while Mr. Rochester goes out for the evening, Jane overhears a conversation between Mr. Rochester, Mrs. Fairfax, and Grace Poole. Jane learns that the woman whom she has seen with Mr. Rochester at the party was Miss Ingram, who is to be his bride. Jane also hears that Mr. Rochester’s former wife had been insane. Jane confronts Mrs. Fairfax about this revelation but Mrs. Fairfax insists she tells Jane nothing more of the matter.
Jane is disturbed by this secret, feeling betrayed by both her friend and employer for keeping it from her. Jane finds herself growing increasingly attracted to Mr. Rochester, whom she knows will marry another if he marries at all. Jane decides to leave Thornfield Hall shortly after learning of Miss Ingram’s engagement because she cannot bear to stay in the house any longer or witness Mr. Rochester’s marriage. Jane writes letters to her friends at Thornfield Hall, Mrs. Fairfax, and Miss Temple. Jane takes Adele, who has also developed feelings for Mr. Rochester, with her as she leaves the house.
Jane pulls away from their hug just before Mr. Rochester arrives looking for Jane. Jane leaves Thornfield Hall without being seen by anyone except Mr. Briggs, the stagecoach driver who conveys Jane to the railroad station in Millcote. Jane spends a week at Millcote planning how she might support herself. She considers taking up sewing but knows she would be unable to sell any of her handiwork because she cannot bear not being able to take pride in it herself. Jane decides to start her school where wealthy families can send their children to learn with Jane.
Jane goes to a hotel in Millcote and prepares to begin her school by advertising a temporary school in a local newspaper called The Courier. Jane’s advertisement is answered by Mrs. Fairfax, who tells Jane she ran away from Thornfield Hall because she was heartsick after seeing Mr. Rochester embrace Miss Ingram. Jane reveals the true reason she left Thornfield Hall, which enrages Mrs. Fairfax who insists Jane return at once or lose her friendship forever. Jane agrees to do so the next day, but that night John carries Jane back to Thornfield Hall after learning of her whereabouts from Leah.
Jane marries Edward Rochester despite knowing he will never love her. They honeymoon on the Continent for three months before returning home to Jane’s new school on the day of the wedding, Jane is standing in front of a small stone pedestal with a ‘pump’ on top. Jane must have been very tiny next to it. Mr. Rochester tells Jane Eyre that she will eventually become its mistress and they discuss how he had seen Jane while abroad in Europe. Despite claims to the contrary from both Jane and Edward, Jane knows her marriage is not based on romantic love but rather a quiet companionship.