Jane Eyre Author: Charlotte Bronte

Short Biography Born in 1816 Born in 1816 Died in 1855 Died in 1855 She was the third of six children She was the third of six children Spent most of her life at Haworth Spent most of her life at Haworth Mother died at an early age and the children basically raised themselves. Mother died at an early age and the children basically raised themselves. An aunt came to take care of the children, but she disliked the harsh weather and was constantly afraid of catching a cold An aunt came to take care of the children, but she disliked the harsh weather and was constantly afraid of catching a cold Stayed in her room most of the time. Stayed in her room most of the time.

School for Girls Maria and Elizabeth were sent to school. Maria and Elizabeth were sent to school. Charlotte and Emily soon joined them. Charlotte and Emily soon joined them. After Elizabeth and Maria died of TB, the other two girls came home. After Elizabeth and Maria died of TB, the other two girls came home. Along with Anne and Branwell, they entertained themselves for the next several years by inventing imaginary worlds of Gondal and Angria. Along with Anne and Branwell, they entertained themselves for the next several years by inventing imaginary worlds of Gondal and Angria.

Charlotte’s Life Tried her hand as a governess but found the hardships of the position unpleasant. Tried her hand as a governess but found the hardships of the position unpleasant. Tried to open her own school – unsuccessful too. Tried to open her own school – unsuccessful too. Published some works under the name Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. Published some works under the name Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. Jane Eyre published in 1847 – an instant success! Jane Eyre published in 1847 – an instant success!

Tragedy Strikes Again Branwell dies in September 1848 due to his excesses (alcohol and opium) Branwell dies in September 1848 due to his excesses (alcohol and opium) Emily catches a cold at the funeral and in December dies of TB. Emily catches a cold at the funeral and in December dies of TB. Anne became stricken with the same disease and dies the following May Anne became stricken with the same disease and dies the following May Charlotte stayed, alone, with her near- blind father. Charlotte stayed, alone, with her near- blind father.

Happy at Last? In 1854, against her father’s wishes, she finally marries Arthur Bell Nicholls. In 1854, against her father’s wishes, she finally marries Arthur Bell Nicholls. Experiences complications during her pregnancy and died on March 31, Experiences complications during her pregnancy and died on March 31, 1855.

Themes Love Love Independence Independence Forgiveness Forgiveness Money and Happiness Money and Happiness Effect Religious Belief has on Social Conduct Effect Religious Belief has on Social Conduct

Point of View First-person point of view (Jane herself) First-person point of view (Jane herself) Jane claims to be telling the story ten years after her marriage, and her story traces her life from age ten to about age twenty. Jane claims to be telling the story ten years after her marriage, and her story traces her life from age ten to about age twenty.

Setting Bronte uses a blend of interior and exterior settings Bronte uses a blend of interior and exterior settings The general locale is the countryside of northern England The general locale is the countryside of northern England Victorian time period (early 1800’s) Victorian time period (early 1800’s)

Gateshead Reeds – are brittle, hollow people Reeds – are brittle, hollow people A prison for her A prison for her The Red Room – place of punishment The Red Room – place of punishment Should be a place of love since it is her family - NOT Should be a place of love since it is her family - NOT

Lowood Charity school Charity school Br. Brocklehurst and Ms. Scatcherd “punish her body to save her soul.” Br. Brocklehurst and Ms. Scatcherd “punish her body to save her soul.” Low point in her life Low point in her life Meets Helen Burns and Miss Temple – teach Christian values and love Meets Helen Burns and Miss Temple – teach Christian values and love

Thornfield Tutor Adele Tutor Adele Mr. Rochester +40 falls in love with Jane Mr. Rochester +40 falls in love with Jane Blanche Ingram proves an obstacle (a thorn) to Jane’s happiness Blanche Ingram proves an obstacle (a thorn) to Jane’s happiness Mason and Briggs hault wedding Mason and Briggs hault wedding Bertha Mason proves to be a thorn too Bertha Mason proves to be a thorn too

Whitcross People do not talk to strangers well People do not talk to strangers well Jane is penniless, hungry, homeless Jane is penniless, hungry, homeless Eats slop with pigs Eats slop with pigs This place is a crossroads in Jane’s life This place is a crossroads in Jane’s life

Moor House Home of the Rivers Home of the Rivers Finds friends, family, and wealth Finds friends, family, and wealth Opportunity in teaching sets up school Opportunity in teaching sets up school Is asked to join St. John as missionary “formed for labor, not love.” Is asked to join St. John as missionary “formed for labor, not love.” Hears voice of Rochester and seeds him out Hears voice of Rochester and seeds him out

Thornfield (return) Finds it in ruins Finds it in ruins Rochester lives elswhere blind and maimed Rochester lives elswhere blind and maimed Jane’s dream of the estate burned is true Jane’s dream of the estate burned is true

Ferndean New location New location Place of hope Place of hope Rochester regains partial sight Rochester regains partial sight A child is born A child is born Love is true and all live happily ever after Love is true and all live happily ever after

Symbolism Fire Fire The Chestnut Tree The Chestnut Tree The Moon (a metaphor for change The Moon (a metaphor for change Many people and places (Reed, Rivers, Lowood, Thornfield) Many people and places (Reed, Rivers, Lowood, Thornfield)

The Genre Gothic (utilizes the mysterious, the supernatural, the horrific, and romantic) Gothic (utilizes the mysterious, the supernatural, the horrific, and romantic) Romance (emphasizes love and passion, represents the notion of lovers destined for each other) Romance (emphasizes love and passion, represents the notion of lovers destined for each other) Bildungsroman (narrates the story of a character’s internal development as he or she undergoes a succession of encounters with the external world Bildungsroman (narrates the story of a character’s internal development as he or she undergoes a succession of encounters with the external world

The Role of The Governess The Victorian governess suffered socially because of her position. The relationship between her and others that were in her class was strained because of her financial situation. She often suffered from "status incongruity." The relationship between a governess and a gentleman was difficult because she was not his financial equal. While the relationship was strained in her novel Jane Eyre, Bronte leads us to believe that it is not altogether impossible. The Victorian governess suffered socially because of her position. The relationship between her and others that were in her class was strained because of her financial situation. She often suffered from "status incongruity." The relationship between a governess and a gentleman was difficult because she was not his financial equal. While the relationship was strained in her novel Jane Eyre, Bronte leads us to believe that it is not altogether impossible.