Jane Eyre Jane Eyre

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Jane Eyre Jane Eyre

By By

Charlote Bronte

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Charlotte Bronte Charlotte Bronte



Was born of Irish Was born of Irish ancestry in 1816 ancestry in 1816

•

Lived at Haworth, a parsonage

•

Mother died of cancer when Charlotte was 5 years old.

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Charlotte’s Religious Views Charlotte’s Religious Views



Her f Her f ather, Patrick ather, Patrick Bronte, was an

Bronte, was an

Anglican clergyman Anglican clergyman



Due to her upbringing, Due to her upbringing, she often wrote about she often wrote about religious hypocrisy—

religious hypocrisy—

those who preach one those who preach one

doctrine but live by doctrine but live by

another

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The Bronte Sisters The Bronte Sisters



Charlotte had four sisters Charlotte had four sisters and one brother.

and one brother.



After their mother’s death, Brontë and her sisters were sent to the Clergy

Daughters’ School.

 The food was badThe food was bad

 Discipline was harshDiscipline was harsh

 Disease was rampantDisease was rampant



Bronte’s two older sisters Bronte’s two older sisters (Maria & Elizabeth) died of (Maria & Elizabeth) died of

tuberculosis.

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Tuberculosis Tuberculosis

•

Tuberculosis was a common killer during the Victorian era.

•

Tuberculosis often destroys its victims’ lungs, resulting in a bloody cough.

•

If untreated, sufferers may die of

tuberculosis because their lungs

are so badly damaged.

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All in the Family All in the Family

 The Clergy Daughter’s School at Cowan Bridge would The Clergy Daughter’s School at Cowan Bridge would became the model for Lowood, the fictitious girls’

became the model for Lowood, the fictitious girls’

school in

school in Jane Eyre.Jane Eyre.

 Charlote’s sisters Anne and Emily Bronte both became Charlote’s sisters Anne and Emily Bronte both became successful writers.

successful writers.

 In 1846, Charlotte & her sisters started publishing In 1846, Charlotte & her sisters started publishing poems and began writing novels:

poems and began writing novels:

 The ProfessorThe Professor was Charlotte’s attempt to was Charlotte’s attempt to

fictionalize her love for a college professor she had fictionalize her love for a college professor she had

met at Brussels.

 In 1847In 1847 Wuthering Heights Wuthering Heights was sister Emily’s first was sister Emily’s first success. Charlotte followed with

success. Charlotte followed with Jane Eyre.Jane Eyre.

Emily Bronte

Anne Bronte Charlotte Bronte

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All 3 Bronte Sisters…

 Used a masculine pen name because Used a masculine pen name because

women writers were not taken seriously at women writers were not taken seriously at

that time in Victorian England.

 Charlotte used the name Currer Bell. Charlotte used the name Currer Bell.

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Marriage Bells Marriage Bells



In 1854 Charlotte In 1854 Charlotte married her father's married her father's

curate, Arthur Bell curate, Arthur Bell

Nichols.



The next year, she The next year, she

became pregnant, then became pregnant, then ill. ill.



She died a month She died a month before her 39

before her 39

^th^th

birthday. birthday.

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THE NOVEL THE NOVEL

Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre was published in London in 1847. was published in London in 1847.

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Key Facts Key Facts



All events are told in All events are told in the past from Jane’s the past from Jane’s

point of view.



The setting is early The setting is early 19 19

^th^th

Century England. Century England.



Jane Eyre Jane Eyre is classified is classified as both a Gothic and as both a Gothic and

a Romantic novel.

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Jane Eyre Jane Eyre



Our protagonist Our protagonist



Orphaned as a child Orphaned as a child



Becomes governess at Becomes governess at Thornfield

Thornfield



A feisty young child, who A feisty young child, who grows into a strong woman.

grows into a strong woman.



Embodies the English Embodies the English working-class woman.

working-class woman.



Will marry . . . . ? Will marry . . . . ?

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Edward Rochester Edward Rochester

 Jane’s boss at Thornfield Jane’s boss at Thornfield

 Gruff and rude Gruff and rude

 Made wealthy by family Made wealthy by family money

money

 Benefactor to Ad Benefactor to Ad è è le Varens le Varens

 Very secretive and Very secretive and

sometimes deceitful

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Reed Family Reed Family



Jane’s family on her father’s Jane’s family on her father’s side side



Mrs. Reed is Jane’s cruel aunt Mrs. Reed is Jane’s cruel aunt who sends Jane to Lowood;

who sends Jane to Lowood;

she locks Jane in the “Red she locks Jane in the “Red

Room” for punishment Room” for punishment



John, Eliza, and Georgiana John, Eliza, and Georgiana are Jane’s spoiled cousins;

are Jane’s spoiled cousins;

they are rude and selfish;

they either torment Jane or they either torment Jane or

ignore her

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Rivers Family Rivers Family



Jane’s caretakers when she Jane’s caretakers when she leaves Thornfield – are her leaves Thornfield – are her

cousins on her mother’s side.



St. John – Minister at Morton, St. John – Minister at Morton, tries to get Jane to be his

tries to get Jane to be his missionary wife

missionary wife



Diana and Mary – kind and Diana and Mary – kind and

independent women, serve as independent women, serve as role models for Jane (we only role models for Jane (we only

see one of the sisters [Mary] in see one of the sisters [Mary] in

the movie) the movie)

St. John Rivers

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Bertha Mason Bertha Mason



Bertha is locked in the attic Bertha is locked in the attic at Thornfield

at Thornfield



Starts the bedroom fire, Starts the bedroom fire, and eventually burns the and eventually burns the

house down house down



Kills herself in the house Kills herself in the house fire fire



Exotic, sensual Exotic, sensual

personification of the personification of the

Orient Orient



Why is she at Thornfield? Why is she at Thornfield?

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Mrs. Fairfax Mrs. Fairfax



Housekeeper at Thornfield Housekeeper at Thornfield



Serves as a mother figure/role Serves as a mother figure/role model for Jane

model for Jane



Tells Jane about secrets of Tells Jane about secrets of

Thornfield and the Rochesters.

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Other Characters Other Characters



Helen Burns – Jane’s friend at Helen Burns – Jane’s friend at Lowood, teaches her character, Lowood, teaches her character,

dies in Jane’s arms dies in Jane’s arms



Mr. Brocklehurst – cruel and Mr. Brocklehurst – cruel and dishonest master of Lowood dishonest master of Lowood

School School



Miss Temple – Jane’s favorite Miss Temple – Jane’s favorite teacher, positive female role teacher, positive female role

model/mother figure model/mother figure

Helen

Mr. Brocklehurst

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Other Characters (Cont.) Other Characters (Cont.)



Grace Poole – Bertha’s Grace Poole – Bertha’s

mysterious keeper, serves as mysterious keeper, serves as

Bertha’s scapegoat Bertha’s scapegoat



Ad Ad èle Varens – Jane’s pupil, èle Varens – Jane’s pupil, daughter of Rochester’s old daughter of Rochester’s old

mistress, Celene mistress, Celene



Richard Mason – Bertha’s Richard Mason – Bertha’s brother, exposes the secret brother, exposes the secret

marriage marriage



Blanche Ingram – socialite after Blanche Ingram – socialite after Rochester’s money, opposite of Rochester’s money, opposite of Jane Jane

AdAdèèlele

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Charlotte’s Gothic Influence Charlotte’s Gothic Influence

 Jane Eyre Jane Eyre displays displays

some characteristics of some characteristics of the the gothic novel gothic novel : :



Imprisoned women Imprisoned women



A heroine who faces A heroine who faces danger

danger



Supernatural Supernatural

interventions at crucial interventions at crucial

moments in the plot moments in the plot



A romantic reconciliation A romantic reconciliation

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Jane Eyre’s Romantic Jane Eyre’s Romantic

Heritage Heritage



The Romantic The Romantic Movement

Movement

 Came into play in at the Came into play in at the end of the 18

end of the 18^th^th Century. Century.

 Championed for the rights Championed for the rights of the individual over the of the individual over the demands of society.

demands of society.

 Believed that humans were Believed that humans were inherently good

inherently good

 Valued imagination over Valued imagination over reason

reason

 Inspired by natureInspired by nature

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Introduction Introduction



Jane Eyre is an orphan in 1800s England.

 Jane’s parents died of Jane’s parents died of typhus when she was a typhus when she was a baby.

baby.



Mrs. Reed, her aunt, has agreed to raise her, but she and her three

children treat Jane treat Jane cruel

cruel l l y. y.



Yet, Mrs. Reed expects

Jane to be thankful.

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Jane Eyre: Introduction Jane Eyre: Introduction

When Jane tries to

stand up for herself, her aunt is furious.

She calls Jane an

ungrateful child and

sends her away to a

boarding school called

Lowood.

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Jane Eyre: Introduction Jane Eyre: Introduction

At Lowood the girls . . .

•

sleep two to a bed,

•

get up before dawn,

•

bathe in ice-cold water,

•

get burnt porridge for breakfast,

•

and are taught to suffer in

silence.

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Typhus Typhus

• Jane Eyre’s Lowood suffers an outbreak of typhus, a disease that

• is spread by fleas, ticks, and lice

• causes headaches, chills, rashes, and fevers that last up to three weeks

• Both tuberculosis and typhus are diseases associated with crowded, unsanitary conditions.

• The threat of catching one of these diseases is a major concern for the characters in Jane Eyre.

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Life at Lowood Life at Lowood



The superintendent of The superintendent of Lowood School is Mr. Lowood School is Mr.

Brocklehurst.

•

Jane immediately makes friend Jane immediately makes friend with a girl called Helen Burns.

with a girl called Helen Burns.

•

She also admires her She also admires her head head teacher Miss. Temple

teacher Miss. Temple . .

•

As a consequence of bad As a consequence of bad

conditions, typhus breaks out.

Many girls die, including Helen, Many girls die, including Helen,

Jane’s best friend Jane’s best friend

•

Jane stays at Lowood eight Jane stays at Lowood eight years as a pupil and then two years as a pupil and then two

years as a teacher.

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Thornfield Hall Thornfield Hall

 After posting an After posting an

advertisement in a local advertisement in a local paper, Jane becomes the paper, Jane becomes the

private governess at private governess at

Thornfield Hall.

 Her pupil is a young French Her pupil is a young French girl named Adele.

girl named Adele.

 Thornfield Hall belongs to a Thornfield Hall belongs to a Mr. Rochester

Mr. Rochester

 Jane does not meet him for Jane does not meet him for months.

months.

 Finally, Mr. Rochester returns Finally, Mr. Rochester returns home and stays longer than home and stays longer than usual at Thornfield Hall

usual at Thornfield Hall

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Role of the Governess Role of the Governess

o With the new stress on female With the new stress on female education, governesses were education, governesses were

in demand.

o Pay was poor, but it was one Pay was poor, but it was one of the only jobs available to of the only jobs available to educated, yet impoverished educated, yet impoverished

young women.

o Employers & other servants Employers & other servants often shunned the governess often shunned the governess

because they felt they were because they felt they were

“putting on airs.”

o Their employers would often Their employers would often ignore them, too, because ignore them, too, because

they had a superior education, they had a superior education, which intimidated many people which intimidated many people

– especially men.

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Mysteries . . . Mysteries . . .

 One night at Thornfield, JaneOne night at Thornfield, Jane wakes up and hears evil laughterwakes up and hears evil laughter......

 Who could this be?Who could this be?

 What is going on in Mr. Rochester’s bedroom?What is going on in Mr. Rochester’s bedroom?

 One day Mr. Rochester gives a party for some fine guestsOne day Mr. Rochester gives a party for some fine guests. . In In attendance is a Miss. Ingram, a beautiful woman, who adores Mr.

attendance is a Miss. Ingram, a beautiful woman, who adores Mr.

Rochester

Rochester.. During the party a Mr. Mason arrives. During the party a Mr. Mason arrives.

 Who is this mysterious man?Who is this mysterious man?

 What is he doing at Thornfield?What is he doing at Thornfield?

 What will happen to him?What will happen to him?

 One day Jane receives a letter regarding Mrs. Reed, her wicked aunt. One day Jane receives a letter regarding Mrs. Reed, her wicked aunt.

Mrs. Reed is dying and wants to see Jane again Mrs. Reed is dying and wants to see Jane again..

 Why would she want to see Jane again?Why would she want to see Jane again?

 What secret does she possess?What secret does she possess?

 When Jane comes back to Thornfield Hall, Mr. Rochester is very happy When Jane comes back to Thornfield Hall, Mr. Rochester is very happy to see her again. He gives Jane the news that he has decided to marry.

to see her again. He gives Jane the news that he has decided to marry.

 Who will he marry?Who will he marry?

 Will the wedding actually take place?Will the wedding actually take place?

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Jane Eyre:

A Ground Breaking Novel A Ground Breaking Novel

• The heroine is small, plain, & The heroine is small, plain, &

poorpoor

• The heroine is the first female The heroine is the first female character to claim the right to character to claim the right to feel strongly about her emotions feel strongly about her emotions and act on her convictions

and act on her convictions

• This romantic ground had This romantic ground had previously been reserved for previously been reserved for males

males

• Such a psychologically complex Such a psychologically complex heroine had never been created heroine had never been created before

before

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Byronic Hero Byronic Hero



This term is created by the This term is created by the famous poet George

famous poet George Gordon, Lord Byron.

Gordon, Lord Byron.



Characteristics are… Characteristics are…



Proud Proud



Gloomy Gloomy



Mysterious Mysterious



Passionate Passionate

*Mr. Rochester is an example of

*Mr. Rochester is an example of this type

this type

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Love Love

Jane is constantly in a search for love.

She is searches for romantic love in She is searches for romantic love in

Rochester, motherly love through Miss Rochester, motherly love through Miss

Temple and Mrs. Fairfax, and friendship Temple and Mrs. Fairfax, and friendship

through the Rivers siblings, Helen Burns, through the Rivers siblings, Helen Burns,

and Rochester.

Jane’s search for love might stem from the Jane’s search for love might stem from the

scorn she felt as a child

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Social Class Social Class

Jane often feels inadequate compared to many of Jane often feels inadequate compared to many of

the other main characters in the novel.

Jane feels that her love for Rochester is wrong Jane feels that her love for Rochester is wrong

because she isn’t from the same class.

Class segregates Jane from her cousins on both Class segregates Jane from her cousins on both

sides, although it is more obvious on the Reed sides, although it is more obvious on the Reed

side.

Blanche Ingram is the class opposite of Jane.

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Religion Religion

Religion plays a huge role in this novel.

Helen Burns taught Jane a view of faith and Helen Burns taught Jane a view of faith and

God that she could understand.

Mr. Brocklehurst’s Evangelical view had Mr. Brocklehurst’s Evangelical view had

negative effects on Jane, as did St. John negative effects on Jane, as did St. John

River’s Empirical view.

Even the once cruel Eliza Reed joins a Even the once cruel Eliza Reed joins a

French convent.

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Mother Figures Mother Figures

In her search for love, Jane also looks for In her search for love, Jane also looks for

the mother figure that she missed as a the mother figure that she missed as a

child.

Jane finds the characteristics she is looking Jane finds the characteristics she is looking

for in:

•

Miss Temple Miss Temple

•

Mrs. Fairfax Mrs. Fairfax

•

Rivers sisters Rivers sisters

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