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Jane Eyre

Originally Published: 1847

Pages: 383

Available on: Kindle, Paperback

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Jane Eyre remains an eternally epic read, a narrative rife with deep-souled passionate romance, mania, jealousy, dark mystery, betrayal, triumph, revenge, and tragedy. 

Jane Eyre was written by Charlotte Brontë in 1847. Considered a Victorian romance and Gothic Bildungsroman, Jane Eyre went down in literature history as a classic for all to treasure and learn from. If you have trouble retaining interest in the wordy Victorian novel or your general train of thought on this genre revolves around questioning why these authors choose to describe everything with the most words possible (Are they trying to beat a word count?, you wonder), this novel will bring back your appreciation for the genre. The complex themes and language of the Victorian novel are still extremely relevant, important to treasure, and beautiful to savor. 

Written in the stylistically elegant and decadent language, Jane Eyre is a pleasure to read because of its powerful plot, passionate figures, and fascinating, deep dialogue. Jane Eyre is the original crazy-woman-in-the-attic story that has been copied ever since. It is incredibly rich with surprises, riveting discourse, and complicated and diverse personalities;  Brontë paints this fictional world with tantalizing and obscure mystery, drawing in readers and driving onwards through the twisted storylines. 

The narrative begins in Jane’s childhood, a penniless and unloved orphan left with her aunt, who has less-than-little patience and love for the poor girl. Considered a burden and bullied by her cousins, Jane is brought up to be a stranger to love, starved of a normal upbringing and human warmth. She is sent off to a strict and abusive boarding school for girls. There, she becomes educated and learns the comfort and beauty of friendship in one true friend, only to lose her to an illness. Again alone in the world, but now older, wiser, and prepared with a formal education, high intelligence, strong moral values, as well as a lion-strong mentality, she sets out in the world as a governess. Her position leads her to a remote, grand rural manor called Thornfield Hall, whose master is as mysterious and complex as the story that unravels there. 

Here Jane’s life really begins, as she finds purpose in her position as mentor to her pupil, companionship within the manor’s residents, and an irresistible draw towards the seemingly-tortured master of Thornfield Hall, Mr. Rochester. Their attraction is one that reaches deeply and powerfully into their souls and minds; their conversations are riveting and mind-searching. Jane finally begins to feel she has found her home, a place and person that understands and loves her for exactly who she is.

However, their love story is far from smooth sailing as secretive figures from Mr. Rochester’s mysterious past find their way to his present, preventing the couple from a happy union. The very manor seems to be haunted by a malignant ghost from his past—can it be? (You’ll have to read to find out.) Heartbreak, betrayal, attempted murder and arson are just a pinch of the drama and tragedy that unravels in this romance. 

There are quite a few parallels to Brontë’s own life experiences tied into the novel. To begin, Brontë was sent to a preparatory school for girls that set a harsh, disciplined environment. She also worked as a governess in 1839; she disliked the children and her position on the country estate.

Jane Eyre was a novel transcendent for the time period it was written in, going beyond the present societal norms. Jane was quite the contradictory woman: she exercised her independence from marriage twice, despite societal pressure on women to marry. She maintained her self-respect, sturdy independence, and determination to be and do exactly as she saw fit. She did not lower her standards or moral values, through the midst of much struggle and opportunity to fall. Her bluntness, conviction, and honesty are highly admirable and readers are rooting for this headstrong, romantic, and searching young woman throughout. Her mental fortitude and determination to remain true to herself will win your admiration immediately. 

Jane Eyre, plain and strong, is certainly an admirable female figure, making this classic novel memorable and inspirational. It’s a comforting reminder that even 19th century women could be bad-ass in a very unique way; at least, it is comforting to me.

If you enjoy this book, try Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (Charlotte Brontë’s sister!). A few other famous female authors of the time include Mary Shelley and Jane Austen.

I hope this wintery month finds you wrapped up by a fire, transported to another world of cold, windy, old English moors, mysterious rural manors, dark secrets, and hard-won free will.