Jane Eyre A Victorian novel: a woman’s quest for love and her search for identity A Victorian novel: a woman’s quest for love and her search for identity Established a platform for feminist writing in the nineteenth century. Established a platform for feminist writing in the nineteenth century. Deals with topics of: Deals with topics of: Heroism Heroism Dreams Dreams Women’s studies Women’s studies Social standing Social standing

Jane Eyre Though written during the Victorian Age, Jane Eyre exemplifies many qualities of Romantic literature. Though written during the Victorian Age, Jane Eyre exemplifies many qualities of Romantic literature. Supernatural elements, emotional connections, individual journeys, idealistic attitudes Supernatural elements, emotional connections, individual journeys, idealistic attitudes Gothic elements also: Gothic elements also: Dreary settings Dreary settings Brooding male protagonist Brooding male protagonist

Jane Eyre A challenging read A challenging read Rich narrative and vocabulary Rich narrative and vocabulary Universal themes include: Universal themes include: Suffering through social class prejudice Suffering through social class prejudice Exhibiting loyalty to those we love Exhibiting loyalty to those we love Longing for family Longing for family Appreciating gender issues Appreciating gender issues Surviving a difficult childhood Surviving a difficult childhood

Jane Eyre Victorian Age – Victorian Age – Named in connection with the reign of Queen Victoria Named in connection with the reign of Queen Victoria Social, political, and historical influences permeated the literature of the time period Social, political, and historical influences permeated the literature of the time period At the forefront: the ever-changing role of women At the forefront: the ever-changing role of women 1840s: petitions began for the advocation of women’s suffrage 1840s: petitions began for the advocation of women’s suffrage 1882: The Married Women’s Property Act – secured women’s rights to maintain property after marriage 1882: The Married Women’s Property Act – secured women’s rights to maintain property after marriage

Jane Eyre Victorian Age – Victorian Age – The Industrial Revolution opened doors for lower class women to take jobs in factories The Industrial Revolution opened doors for lower class women to take jobs in factories Paid low wages Paid low wages Offered terrible working conditions Offered terrible working conditions

Jane Eyre The Victorian Age brought an increase in literacy, and reading novels became a popular pastime The Victorian Age brought an increase in literacy, and reading novels became a popular pastime The typical Victorian novel was directly connected to issues and concerns of contemporary society. The typical Victorian novel was directly connected to issues and concerns of contemporary society. Authors strove to create realistic views of nineteenth century living Authors strove to create realistic views of nineteenth century living Stories were often published in serial form; readers anxiously awaited the monthly installments of single chapters Stories were often published in serial form; readers anxiously awaited the monthly installments of single chapters Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens, William Mackepeace Thackery, Anthony Trollope, George Eliot, and Thomas Hardy were popular authors Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens, William Mackepeace Thackery, Anthony Trollope, George Eliot, and Thomas Hardy were popular authors