Jane Eyre - themes, characters, 20 quotes, summary, free pdf

About Charlotte Bronte

Charlotte Bronte was an English novelist and poet and the eldest of the three Bronte sisters whose novels are considered classics of English literature. She wrote her famous novel Jane Eyre under the pen name Currer Bell. Charlotte was born in Thornton, Yorkshire, in 1816, the third of six children of Maria Branwell and her husband, an Anglican minister, Patrick Bronte. In 1820 the family moved to Haworth, where Patrick was appointed vicar. Charlotte's mother died on September 15, 1821.

About Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre is a book by Charlotte Bronte, published in 1847. It tells the story of Jane's life, from her early years through her time at a difficult boarding school to her eventual arrival at Thornfield Hall. Using the character of Jane Eyre, the novel examines various social problems in Europe. Jane moves through five distinct phases in her life, each with its own unique story presented throughout the book's 38 chapters.

Jane Eyre Themes

"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte is a novel that covers a number of themes, including:

Social Class: Throughout the novel, Jane struggles with her position in society as a governess, a lower-class profession. She is often reminded of her inferiority by those around her, and her desire for social equality informs her relationships with others.
Love: The novel explores the idea of romantic love through Jane's relationships with Rochester and St. John. It also explores the different forms of love, including love between friends and family.
Independence: Jane's desire for independence is a recurring theme in the novel. She defies societal norms and expectations and ultimately chooses her own path in life.
Religion: The novel explores the role of religion in Victorian society and Jane's struggle with her own beliefs. It also examines the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and morality.
Gender Roles: "Jane Eyre" challenges traditional gender roles by portraying a strong and independent female lead. The novel also explores the limitations placed on women in Victorian society and the ways in which they were expected to conform to social norms.
Appearance versus Reality: The novel explores the issue of appearance versus reality, particularly through the character of Rochester, who hides a secret about his past. It also explores the idea of self-deception, and the ways individuals can deceive themselves and others.
Education: Education is an important theme in the novel as Jane's intellectual and moral growth is determined by her experiences at the Lowood School. The novel also examines the limitations of education, particularly for women, in Victorian society.
Isolation: Jane experiences isolation throughout the novel, both as a child and as an adult. The issue of isolation is closely related to issues of social class and gender roles, as Jane is often excluded from social circles due to her position as a governess and her refusal to conform to societal expectations.

Overall, "Jane Eyre" is a complex novel that deals with a variety of issues, many of which are still relevant today.

Jane Eyre Characters

Jane Eyre: The novel's protagonist who is an orphan and faces challenges in finding her place in society.
Edward Rochester: Jane's employer and eventual spouse, who she initially turns down but later marries after he is injured in a fire.
Bertha Rochester: Mr. Rochester's first wife, who is depicted as being mentally unstable.
Adele Varens: Mr. Rochester's ward, and Jane is hired to be her governess.
St. John Rivers: Jane's cousin who is deeply religious.

Jane Eyre Summary

At the start of "Jane Eyre," the novel's protagonist is ten years old. After losing her parents to typhoid fever, she moves in with her uncle's family. Despite receiving kindness from her uncle, Mr. Reed, Jane's situation worsens following his passing, as her aunt, Mrs. Sarah, treats her as a servant and restricts her communication with her cousins. This mistreatment takes a severe toll on Jane's physical and mental health, and the only person on her side in the household is the maid, who can also be harsh towards her. Jane's mental state deteriorates further due to staying in her uncle's death chamber, necessitating her transfer to Lowood School on the advice of a doctor after Mrs. Sarah finally relents.

Upon arriving at the Lowood Charity School, Jane found that its superintendent, Mr. Brocklehurst, was an unpleasant and harsh man. Jane had been labeled a deceitful girl by Mrs. Sarah, who had informed Mr. Brocklehurst of this. Consequently, Jane was punished for accidentally breaking a slate by being made to stand on a wooden stool in front of her classmates. She was also ostracized and called a liar, with the exception of her close friend, Helen Burns. However, with the help of Miss Temple, Jane was ultimately exonerated of the false accusations made by Mr. Brocklehurst. The school's conditions were harsh, with some students even contracting typhoid fever, resulting in deaths, including that of Jane's friend, Helen Burns. The dismissal of Mr. Brocklehurst led to an improvement in the school's conditions.

Jane spent six years as a student at Lowood School before becoming a private tutor. He received a job offer from Mrs. Alice Fairfax, Mr. Rochester's housekeeper, to tutor Adele. Jane accepted the job and moved to Thornfield Hall, where her life began anew and she met Mr. Rochester. They both developed feelings for each other and Jane experienced strange events at the Rochester house. They were about to get married, but Jane discovered that Rochester was also married to another woman who was locked in a room and doing strange things around the house. Despite her love for him, Jane refused to go with him to the south of France without marrying and left Thornfield Hall to live on the streets.

Jane moved to London and had to sell her gloves and scarf because she lost some of the money she had saved. She passed out outside the home of her cousins Diana and Maria when the servant refused her entry, and she was exhausted. She was rescued by St. John Rivers, Mary and Diana's brother, and after regaining her health, she found new employment teaching at a nearby charity school. She became good friends with Maria and Diana, but St. John remained reserved with Jane. After getting to know Jane better, St. John revealed to her that his uncle had left him a great inheritance and that he and his sisters hoped for it but received nothing. He also told her that her uncle John was her uncle too, which made Jane very happy, and they shared the inheritance equally.

In, Jane refused to marry her cousin St.John and had no desire to marry him. She longed for Mr. Rochester and returned to him only to find the ruins of his mansion. He later learned that his imprisoned wife had burned down the house and jumped from the roof to commit suicide, and that Rochester had lost his sight and hand in the accident. Rochester thought Jane would reject him because of his condition, but she confirmed her love for him, and he proposed to her. She accepted his suggestion, her health improved, and she regained her sight. In the end he was able to see his beloved Jane and their first child together.

Jane Eyre Quotes

"Actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends."
"Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain and little, I am soulless and heartless?"
"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will."
"I am no longer poor; I can be independent: 'I am glad of it.' "
"I have neither relatives nor acquaintances, neither connections nor friends."
"I am glad you supplied me so promptly with a character of my own."
"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will."
"Conventionality is not morality."
"Pray, righteousness, and beauty dwell in inner life."
"Inspect your own heart, see if it really contains that peace and love so needed to give you faith in God."
"I will always remain faithful and true to you, as my conduct will prove."
"We know that God is our father and friend."
"Self was my golden cage; my jailer and my tyrant."
"There is a man in this house..."
"I am not a fossil."
"The more solitary, the more self-reliant, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself."
"Women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts."
"A small house on a rocky island must be inhabited."
"Until she shed tears in his presence, of gladness or pain, he never put faith in her affection."
"Restriction invites cunning."

Article Summary

"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte is a novel that explores a variety of themes and issues related to Victorian society. One of the central themes of the novel is social class, with Jane struggling with her position in society as a governess, which was considered a lower-class profession. Love is also an important theme, as the novel explores the idea of romantic love through Jane's relationships with Rochester and St. John, as well as various forms of love, including love between friends and family.

Independence is another recurring theme in the novel, in which Jane challenges societal norms and expectations and ultimately chooses her own path in life. Religion is also addressed in the novel, particularly through Jane's struggle with her own beliefs, as well as through themes of forgiveness, redemption, and morality.

"Jane Eyre" also challenges traditional gender roles as it portrays a strong and independent female protagonist while exploring the limitations women faced in Victorian society and the ways they were expected to conform to social norms. The novel delves into the theme of appearance versus reality, as exemplified by the character of Rochester, who conceals a secret from his past. Furthermore, it examines the concept of self-deception and how individuals can be misled or deceive themselves and others.

Education is an important theme in the novel, as Jane's intellectual and moral growth is determined by her experiences at the Lowood School. However, the novel also addresses the limits of education, especially for women. Isolation is another important issue. Jane experiences isolation throughout the novel, both as a child and as an adult, due to her position as a governess and her refusal to conform to societal expectations.

Overall, "Jane Eyre" is a complex novel that deals with a variety of issues including social class, love, independence, religion, gender roles, appearance versus reality, education, isolation, and many others, making it a timeless work of literature that still resonates with readers today.

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Jane Eyre - themes, characters, 20 quotes, summary, free pdf

Jane Eyre Novel

Jane Eyre Novel