“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” — Jane Eyre
Early Life at Gateshead (Chapters 1-4)
Jane Eyre, an orphan, lives unhappily with her cruel aunt, Mrs. Reed, and cousins at Gateshead Hall. After a violent confrontation with her cousin John, she is sent to Lowood Institution, a harsh charity school for girls.
Lowood Institution (Chapters 5-10)
At Lowood, Jane endures privation and strict discipline but befriends Helen Burns, who teaches her patience, and gains the mentorship of kind superintendent Miss Temple. After a typhus outbreak, the school reforms, and Jane becomes a teacher before accepting a governess position at Thornfield Hall.
Thornfield Hall and Mr. Rochester (Chapters 11-20)
Jane arrives at Thornfield and tutors Adèle, the ward of the brooding master, Mr. Rochester. She grows fond of him despite his mysterious nature. Strange occurrences, including a fire and an attack on a guest, hint at secrets hidden in the house.
Love and Betrayal (Chapters 21-27)
Jane returns to Gateshead to see her dying aunt, who reveals a hidden letter from Jane’s uncle. Back at Thornfield, Rochester proposes, but their wedding is interrupted when it’s revealed he is already married to Bertha Mason, a madwoman locked in the attic.
Departure and Moor House (Chapters 28-35)
Heartbroken, Jane flees and nearly dies on the moors before being taken in by the Rivers siblings. She becomes a village teacher and learns she has inherited a fortune from her uncle. St. John Rivers, her cousin, pressures her to marry him and join his missionary work.
Reunion and Resolution (Chapters 36-38)
Hearing Rochester’s voice calling her, Jane returns to Thornfield to find it burned down by Bertha, who died in the fire. Rochester, now blind and maimed, lives at Ferndean. Jane reunites with him, and they marry, finding happiness as equals.
Key Ideas
- Struggle for independence and self-respect in a restrictive society.
- Critique of gender and class inequalities in Victorian England.
- The conflict between passion and moral duty.
- Gothic elements blending with realism.
- Redemption through suffering and forgiveness.
Notable Adaptations
| Year | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1943 | Jane Eyre | Orson Welles as Rochester, Joan Fontaine as Jane. |
| 1996 | Jane Eyre | William Hurt and Charlotte Gainsbourg in a faithful adaptation. |
| 2011 | Jane Eyre | Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender; atmospheric cinematography. |
Who should read this book?
- Fans of Gothic romance and strong female protagonists.
- Readers interested in Victorian social critiques.
- Those who enjoy psychological depth and moral dilemmas.