Jane Eyre By Charlotte Bronte (1847)

Charlotte Bronte Was born of Irish ancestry in 1816 Was born of Irish ancestry in 1816 Lived at Haworth, a parsonage Mother died of cancer when Charlotte was 5 years old.

Charlotte’s Religious Views Father, Patrick Bronte, was an Anglican (Church of England) clergyman Father, Patrick Bronte, was an Anglican (Church of England) clergyman Due to her upbringing, she often wrote about religious hypocrisy— those who preach one doctrine but live by another Due to her upbringing, she often wrote about religious hypocrisy— those who preach one doctrine but live by another

The Bronte Sisters Charlotte had four sisters and one brother. Charlotte had four sisters and one brother. Charlotte’s mother died when Charlotte was age 5; Brontë and her sisters were later sent to the Clergy Daughters ’ School. The food was bad Discipline was harsh Disease was rampant Bronte ’ s two older sisters (Maria & Elizabeth) died of tuberculosis. Bronte ’ s two older sisters (Maria & Elizabeth) died of tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis Tuberculosis was a common killer during the Victorian era. Tuberculosis often destroys its victims ’ lungs, resulting in a bloody cough. If untreated, sufferers may die of tuberculosis because their lungs are so badly damaged.

All in the Family The Clergy Daughter ’ s School at Cowan Bridge would became the model for Lowood, the fictitious girls ’ school in Jane Eyre. The Clergy Daughter ’ s School at Cowan Bridge would became the model for Lowood, the fictitious girls ’ school in Jane Eyre. Charlote ’ s sisters Anne and Emily Bronte both became successful writers. Charlote ’ s sisters Anne and Emily Bronte both became successful writers. In 1846, Charlotte & her sisters started publishing poems and began writing novels: In 1846, Charlotte & her sisters started publishing poems and began writing novels: The Professor was Charlotte ’ s attempt to fictionalize her love for a college professor she had met at Brussels, a city in Belgium. The Professor was Charlotte ’ s attempt to fictionalize her love for a college professor she had met at Brussels, a city in Belgium. In 1847 Wuthering Heights was sister Emily ’ s first success. In 1847 Wuthering Heights was sister Emily ’ s first success. Charlotte followed with Jane Eyre published in Charlotte followed with Jane Eyre published in Charlotte ’ s brother, Branwell, was a gifted painter. Charlotte ’ s brother, Branwell, was a gifted painter. Emily Bronte Anne Bronte Branwell Bronte Charlotte Bronte

All 3 Bronte Sisters… Used a masculine “pseudonym” name because women writers were not taken seriously at that time in Victorian England. Used a masculine “pseudonym” name because women writers were not taken seriously at that time in Victorian England. Charlotte used the pseudonym “Currer Bell”. Charlotte used the pseudonym “Currer Bell”.

Marriage Bells In 1854 Charlotte married her father's curate (assistant priest), Arthur Bell Nichols. In 1854 Charlotte married her father's curate (assistant priest), Arthur Bell Nichols. The next year, she became pregnant, then ill. The next year, she became pregnant, then ill. She died a month before her 39 th birthday. She died a month before her 39 th birthday.

THE NOVEL Jane Eyre was published in London in 1847.

Key Facts All events are told in the past from Jane ’ s point of view. All events are told in the past from Jane ’ s point of view. The setting is early 19 th Century England. The setting is early 19 th Century England. Jane Eyre is classified as both a Gothic and a Romantic novel. Jane Eyre is classified as both a Gothic and a Romantic novel.

Charlotte ’ s Gothic Influence Jane Eyre displays some characteristics of the gothic novel: Jane Eyre displays some characteristics of the gothic novel: Imprisoned women Imprisoned women A heroine who faces danger A heroine who faces danger Supernatural interventions at crucial moments in the plot Supernatural interventions at crucial moments in the plot A romantic reconciliation A romantic reconciliation

Jane Eyre ’ s Romantic Heritage The Romantic Movement The Romantic Movement Came into play in at the end of the 18 th Century. Championed for the rights of the individual over the demands of society. Believed that humans were inherently good Valued imagination over reason Inspired by nature

Jane Eyre The protagonist The protagonist Orphaned as a child Orphaned as a child A feisty young child, who grows into a strong woman. A feisty young child, who grows into a strong woman. Embodies the English working- class woman. Embodies the English working- class woman. Eventually becomes “governess” (teacher of education and social graces) to Adele at Thornfield Eventually becomes “governess” (teacher of education and social graces) to Adele at Thornfield

Role of the Governess o With the new stress on female education, governesses were in demand. o Pay was poor, but it was one of the only jobs available to educated, yet impoverished young women. o Employers & other servants often shunned the governess because they felt governesses were “ putting on airs. ” o Their employers would often ignore them, too, because they had a superior education, which intimidated many people – especially men.

Reed Family Jane ’ s family on her father ’ s side where Jane is sent at age 10 upon her parent’s deaths Jane ’ s family on her father ’ s side where Jane is sent at age 10 upon her parent’s deaths John, Eliza, and Georgiana are Jane ’ s spoiled cousins; they are cruel, rude and selfish John, Eliza, and Georgiana are Jane ’ s spoiled cousins; they are cruel, rude and selfish Mrs. Reed is Jane ’ s cruel aunt (her father’s sister) Mrs. Reed is Jane ’ s cruel aunt (her father’s sister) Mrs. Reed locks Jane in the “ Red Room ” for punishment (a “haunted room” - Mrs. Reed’s husband had died in this room). Mrs. Reed locks Jane in the “ Red Room ” for punishment (a “haunted room” - Mrs. Reed’s husband had died in this room). Mrs. Reed sends Jane to Lowood School for orphans (for 8 years) rather than care for Jane Mrs. Reed sends Jane to Lowood School for orphans (for 8 years) rather than care for Jane

Red Room The room at Gateshead where Uncle Reed died, and where Jane was locked up to be punished. This punishment haunts Jane for the rest of her life. Memories of the night in the Red Room occur when Jane is at a crossroads in her life.

Other Characters Helen Burns – Jane ’ s best friend at Lowood School Helen Burns – Jane ’ s best friend at Lowood School Mr. Brocklehurst – cruel and dishonest master of Lowood School Mr. Brocklehurst – cruel and dishonest master of Lowood School Miss Temple – Jane ’ s favorite teacher, positive female role model/mother figure Miss Temple – Jane ’ s favorite teacher, positive female role model/mother figure Helen Mr. BrocklehurstMiss Temple

Tuberculosis/Typhus Jane Eyre ’ s Lowood suffers outbreaks of both tuberculosis and typhus, common diseases which caused millions of deaths annually. Typhus is a disease that : is spread by fleas, ticks, and lice causes headaches, chills, rashes, and fevers that last up to three weeks Tuberculosis is a disease that: Is bacterial, and spread from person to person via air (coughing, sneezing). It damages lungs so that lungs no longer function Both tuberculosis and typhus are diseases associated with crowded, unsanitary conditions.

Tuberculosis in 2015 Key facts from the World Health Organization Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs. Tuberculosis is curable and preventable. TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air. Tuberculosis (TB) is second only to HIV/AIDS as the greatest killer worldwide due to a single infectious agent. In 2013, 9 million people fell ill with TB and 1.5 million died from the disease. Over 95% of TB deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

Edward Rochester Jane ’ s boss at Thornfield Jane ’ s boss at Thornfield Gruff and rude Gruff and rude Made wealthy by family money Made wealthy by family money Benefactor (provides resources) to Adèle Varens, Jane ’ s pupil, daughter of Rochester ’ s old mistress, Celene Benefactor (provides resources) to Adèle Varens, Jane ’ s pupil, daughter of Rochester ’ s old mistress, Celene Very secretive Very secretive

Mrs. Fairfax Housekeeper at Thornfield Housekeeper at Thornfield Serves as a mother figure/role model for Jane Serves as a mother figure/role model for Jane Tells Jane about secrets of Thornfield and the Rochesters. Tells Jane about secrets of Thornfield and the Rochesters. Thornfield Manor

Rivers Family Jane ’ s caretakers when she leaves Thornfield Jane ’ s caretakers when she leaves Thornfield St. John – Minister at Morton St. John – Minister at Morton Diana and Mary – kind and independent sisters to St. John Diana and Mary – kind and independent sisters to St. John St. John Rivers

Other Characters (Cont.) Grace Poole – Mysterious housekeeper???? Grace Poole – Mysterious housekeeper???? Richard Mason – Exposes “the” secret Richard Mason – Exposes “the” secret Blanche Ingram – socialite after Rochester ’ s money; the complete opposite of Jane Blanche Ingram – socialite after Rochester ’ s money; the complete opposite of Jane Blanche Ingram Richard Mason

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