Jane Eyre: Express Book Report

Learn more about plot, characters and symbolism from Jane Eyre.

Jane Eyre, written by Charlotte Bronte, is a fictional novel following the twists and turns of Jane Eyre’s life. Born as an orphan, Jane was raised by her cruel aunt Mrs. Reed. After being locked in the room her uncle died in, Jane panics that she has seen her uncle’s ghost. The episode inspires her caretaker to send her away to school. Jane attends Lowood School which is run by a selfish man named Mr. Brocklehurst. A typhus outbreak results in Brocklehurt being fired, and is replaced by a kinder group of men. Jane’s experience greatly improves and she becomes a teacher at Lowood. Later, Jane transfers to a different school; Thornfield. Here she secretly falls in love with her employer Mr. Rochester. Jane is surprised and delighted when Mr. Rochester proposes to her, but on their wedding day a horrible secret it revealed. Mr. Rochester is already married, to a woman who has gone crazy. His wife, Bertha, is held secretly at the manor and causes mysterious fires and events. Jane is outraged and flees the manor, begging for food and money on the streets. A family of three takes her in and she later discovers that they are her cousins. She shares an inheritance wealth with her new family but refuses a marriage proposal from her cousin St. John. Jane returns to Thornfield to discover a fire has destroyed the entire manor, killing Bertha. Mr. Rochester survived but lost a hand and suffered blindness in both eyes. Despite his injuries, Jane and Mr. Rochester rekindle their love and are eventually married. Jane and Mr. Rochester live a blissful life. Main Characters: Jane Eyre- The protagonist of the story, Jane lives a life of turmoil but is intelligent and motivated. She overcomes her hardships with her strong sense of self. Edward Rochester- Jane’s boss at Thornfield who she eventually falls in love with and marries. St. John Rivers- Jane’s cousin who wants to marry her and wants her to move to India with him. Mrs. Reed- Jane’s aunt who raised her but treated her cruelly.

Symbolism: The Red Room- the red room is a constant symbol throughout the story representing every time Jane must overcome an obstacle. About the Author: Charlotte Bronte was born in 1816 in Yorkshire, England. Her mother died when she was five, leaving Charlotte to be raised by her father and an aunt that stepped in to help. Many aspects in Jane Eyre were autobiographical for Charlotte; including losing parents, attending boarding schools, losing friends and family, and working as a governess. Jane Eyre was published in 1847 and served as a critique of Victorian classifications of social order and gender equality.

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