Jane Eyre

By Charlotte Bronte

First Publication (1847)
Publisher: Wordsworth Editions 
Type     : Paperback, 448 Pages
Genre    : Literature,Novel,Fiction,Classic
Price    : $3.95 (amazon.com)

Synopsis

So, the story goes

Jane Eyre is set in England in the 1800's . The story of a neglected girl orphan 'Jane Eyre' is alone in the world. No parents only an uncle who took her in but then died and left her alone with her aunt and some other siblings who despise her and think her an imbecile and impertinent and later on at her 10 age she send away to live at Lowood School, a state school where the conditions of housing are horrible and even worsen so when typhus strikes and Jane loses her only friend there, Helen Burns. The story then fasts forwards some years later and Jane, now a teacher, leaves Lowood School and becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall where she meets master of the house Edward Rochester who she finds quite striking on the ugly side but develops feelings for him, slowly and steadily. And then everything about him to her is beautiful.

Review

One of my reading goals is to read as much Classic Literature as I can. I am glad that i chose this novel. This is my first time reading Jane Eyre though I have seen the movie version. 

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“Do you think I am an automaton? — a machine without feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! — I have as much soul as you — and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh: it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God's feet, equal — as we are!”

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I don't think there is a whole lot I can say about Jane Eyre that hasn't been said a million times. It's a classic for a reason, and Jane is an iconic figure both as a women and as a character in literature for a reason.

Jane as a character is so interesting, and strong. Being able to follow her story from childhood to adulthood as a reader was really fantastic. I was instantly drawn in by her character, I loved her passion and her strength and her independence. For a character written in the 1800s, she stands remarkably on her own. She struggles almost constantly against the prevailing attitudes toward women at the time, but the way she addresses and deals with them was amazing. She's one of the strongest female characters I have read. There was so much to like, aside from the romance. This is about Jane finding happiness in herself and her station and her discovery of family, friends, love and self-acceptance was beautiful. The moment she discovers she's rich and has a family and is so excited made me smile so much because I love her and I was so happy for her. 

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with

 an independent will.”

Then there are also the feminist elements. Jane transgresses the boundary associated with her gender in the Victorian age. For a woman to be recognized as having equal intellect to that of a man was sadly a rare thing. Women could actually attend university, but the downside was they could never get the full degree. They could spend months studying, though never be recognized as actually having gained the qualification. It was just another attempt to keep women under the thumb, so for Bronte to portray the truth of Jane’s equal intellect is a great step for the recognition of women, and women writers. 

There are numerous other colorful characters in this book. The language, especially the dialogue, is indeed very flowery but completely accessible and really a pleasure to read. I was hooked by Jane Eyre practically from page one, this book has everything, drama, romance, character study, humour, moral lessons, and even a bit of Gothic horror. If you have never read a classic novel from the Victorian era before you probably should start with this one. 

Happy Reading 📖