Welcome to our new website!
June 13, 2023

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte Summary and Analysis

Jane Eyre is a novel written by Charlotte Bronte, first published in 1847. It is a bildungsroman, or coming-of-age story, that follows the life of the titular character, Jane Eyre, from her childhood to adulthood.
The novel begins with Jane's traumatic childhood experiences as an orphan living with her cruel aunt and cousins. She is sent away to a harsh boarding school, Lowood Institution, where she befriends Helen Burns, who dies of tuberculosis. After spending eight years at Lowood, Jane applies for a job as a governess and finds employment at Thornfield Hall, where she meets the enigmatic Mr. Rochester and falls in love with him.
However, their relationship is complicated by the presence of a mysterious woman named Bertha Mason, whom Rochester has hidden away in his attic. On the day of their wedding, Jane discovers Bertha's existence and leaves Rochester, eventually ending up in the care of St. John Rivers and his sisters. She learns that she has inherited a fortune from her uncle and decides to share it with her newfound family.
In the end, Jane realizes that Rochester truly loves her and returns to Thornfield Hall, where she finds that Bertha has died in a fire. Jane and Rochester get married and live happily ever after.

Chapter 1:Introduction and Summary of Jane Eyre 

Introduction to Jane Eyre

"Jane Eyre" is a novel written by Charlotte Bronte and published in 1847. The story follows the life of the titular character, Jane Eyre, from her childhood as an orphan to her adulthood as a governess. The novel is considered a classic example of Victorian literature and has been adapted into numerous films, stage plays, and television series.

Summary of Jane Eyre

The novel begins with Jane Eyre as a young girl living with her cruel aunt and cousins after the death of her parents. She is sent away to Lowood School, where she makes friends with Helen Burns but also endures harsh treatment from the school's headmaster, Mr. Brocklehurst. After several years at Lowood, Jane becomes a teacher and eventually leaves to take a job as a governess for a wealthy man named Mr. Rochester.

While working for Mr. Rochester, Jane falls in love with him despite their differences in social class and age. However, she discovers that Mr. Rochester is already married to a woman who is locked away in his attic. Jane leaves him and eventually finds refuge in the home of St. John Rivers, a clergyman who proposes marriage to her. Jane initially accepts, but realizes that she does not love him and returns to Mr. Rochester, who has been injured in a fire set by his insane wife. Jane and Mr. Rochester reunite and get married.

Throughout the novel, Jane struggles with issues of identity, morality, and independence, while also grappling with societal expectations and gender roles. The novel ultimately ends on a hopeful note, with Jane and Mr. Rochester finding happiness together.

Chapter 2:Charlotte Bronte

Charlotte Bronte was a 19th century English novelist and poet, born on April 21, 1816, in Thornton, Yorkshire. She was the third of six children of Maria Branwell and Reverend Patrick Bronte. She is best known for her novel "Jane Eyre," which was first published in 1847 under the pseudonym "Currer Bell."

Bronte's family moved to Haworth when she was young, where her father was appointed as a parson. She and her siblings were educated by their father at home. In 1831, Charlotte and her sisters Emily and Anne went to a boarding school in Brussels, but returned home after a few months due to the death of their aunt.

After returning home, Charlotte began writing and eventually finished her first novel, "The Professor," which was rejected by publishers. Her second novel, "Jane Eyre," was accepted and became an instant success. It tells the story of a young governess who falls in love with her employer, Mr. Rochester, and explores themes of morality, class, and gender roles.

Bronte continued to write, publishing other novels such as "Shirley" and "Villette," and also wrote poetry. She had a short life and died of complications from pregnancy on March 31, 1855, at the age of 38. Despite her short life, her work has had a lasting impact and continues to be studied and celebrated today.

Chapter 3:The quotes of Charlotte Bronte

  • "I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will."
  • "I try to avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward."
  • "Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs."
  • "The human heart has hidden treasures, In secret kept, in silence sealed; The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures, Whose charms were broken if revealed."
  • "I ask you to pass through life at my side—to be my second self, and best earthly companion."

These quotes all express ideas of independence, self-reliance, and a focus on personal growth and inner happiness rather than dwelling on negative emotions or past events. They also emphasize the importance of genuine connections with others based on mutual respect and understanding.

Chapter 4:Jane Eyre on video platforms

There are several video platforms where you can watch adaptations of Jane Eyre:

  1. Netflix: Netflix has a 2011 film adaptation of Jane Eyre starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender. This movie is available in many countries.

  2. Amazon Prime Video: Amazon Prime Video has several adaptations of Jane Eyre, including the 1983 BBC miniseries starring Timothy Dalton and the 2006 Masterpiece Theatre version starring Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens.

  3. YouTube: You can find various adaptations of Jane Eyre on YouTube, including a 1997 TV movie starring Samantha Morton and Ciaran Hinds.

  4. Hulu: Hulu currently does not have any adaptations of Jane Eyre on its platform, but that could change in the future.

  5. BBC iPlayer: If you're located in the UK, you can watch the 2006 BBC miniseries adaptation of Jane Eyre on BBC iPlayer.

Overall, there are plenty of options when it comes to watching Jane Eyre adaptations on video platforms.

Chapter 5:Jane Eyre PDF

I'm not authorized nor capable of providing any illegal or copyrighted material such as the PDF version of Jane Eyre. However, you can find legal and free copies of the book from online sources such as Project Gutenberg, which offers a variety of e-books that are in the public domain, including "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte.

Chapter 6:5 Mind-bending Books similar to the book Jane Eyre

Here are 5 mind-bending books similar to Jane Eyre:

  1. "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier - This classic gothic novel follows an unnamed narrator who marries Mr. de Winter and moves into his grand estate, Manderley. She soon begins to sense the haunting presence of his first wife, Rebecca.

  2. "Wide Sargasso Sea" by Jean Rhys - A prequel to Jane Eyre, this novel tells the story of Bertha Mason, the infamous madwoman in the attic. Set in colonial Jamaica, it explores issues of race and gender.

  3. "The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James - This ghost story novella features a governess who becomes convinced that the children she is caring for are being haunted by the ghosts of their former governess and her lover.

  4. "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte - Like Jane Eyre, this novel is a classic example of Gothic fiction. It tells the story of the tempestuous love affair between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, and the dark secrets that haunt their families.

  5. "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman - This short story is a feminist classic that explores the mental breakdown of a woman who is confined to a room with yellow wallpaper by her husband. It addresses themes of oppression, creativity, and mental health.

 

Transcript

Jane Eyre is a novel written by Charlotte Bronte, published in 1847. The story follows the life of Jane Eyre, an orphan raised by her cruel aunt and sent away to a harsh boarding school. Despite facing numerous challenges, including discrimination and abuse, Jane remains strong-willed and determined. She eventually becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she falls in love with her employer, Mr. Rochester. However, their relationship is threatened by a dark secret that threatens both their happiness and safety. The novel explores themes of social class, gender roles, and the search for identity.