Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, is written in much the same romantic genre as the novels by other Brontes. The novel has endured mainly because of the depth of its characterization and a suspenseful plot, which have made it popular with readers right up to the present day. Many of these modern readers have taken it to their hearts as a feminist or post-feminist allegorical tale.
Overview: Jane Eyre
After an unhappy childhood and schooling, Jane decides to seek gainful employment, offering herself as a governess. She is soon given a position at Thornfield Hall, where a number of strange occurrences during the night take place--culminating in a fire that nearly takes her life.
After a few weeks she comes into contact with the hall's fierce and brooding owner, Edward Rochester. Despite an initial dislike, the two become acquainted and fall in love, finally becoming engaged to be married. Jane passes a few happy days with her new love, but when the wedding day arrives it is interrupted by an astonishing revelation. Rochester is married to Bertha Mason (a woman who was declared insane and confined to the third floor of the house--a prison from which she has occasionally escaped to cause trouble). She was the one who started the fire that nearly took Jane's life
Jane cannot live with Rochester, so runs away--stumbling upon three kind siblings. Of course, as in any such romance, she cannot forget Rochester. She thinks she hears his voice on the wind, and finally returns to him--only to find Thornfield Hall burned to the ground, the result of a conflagration in which Bertha lost her life and Rochester was blinded. Jane stays to tend to Rochester as an invalid, and her love for Rochester is rekindled. With Bertha now dead, they now marry. After all, these stories often end in an "happily ever after..."
After an unhappy childhood and schooling, Jane decides to seek gainful employment, offering herself as a governess. She is soon given a position at Thornfield Hall, where a number of strange occurrences during the night take place--culminating in a fire that nearly takes her life.
After a few weeks she comes into contact with the hall's fierce and brooding owner, Edward Rochester. Despite an initial dislike, the two become acquainted and fall in love, finally becoming engaged to be married. Jane passes a few happy days with her new love, but when the wedding day arrives it is interrupted by an astonishing revelation. Rochester is married to Bertha Mason (a woman who was declared insane and confined to the third floor of the house--a prison from which she has occasionally escaped to cause trouble). She was the one who started the fire that nearly took Jane's life
Jane cannot live with Rochester, so runs away--stumbling upon three kind siblings. Of course, as in any such romance, she cannot forget Rochester. She thinks she hears his voice on the wind, and finally returns to him--only to find Thornfield Hall burned to the ground, the result of a conflagration in which Bertha lost her life and Rochester was blinded. Jane stays to tend to Rochester as an invalid, and her love for Rochester is rekindled. With Bertha now dead, they now marry. After all, these stories often end in an "happily ever after..."
Beyond the Simple Romance: Jane Eyre
Although, at its heart, Jane Eyre is a reasonably simple romantic tale, Bronte delivers the tale in a way that is both original and striking. Bronte borrows from Gothic literature to create the feeling of menace that hangs around Thornfield Hall, and give Jane an almost supernatural ability to foresee the future. However, she never allows these elements of the supernatural to stifle the essentially human story about the battle between a woman's ideals and what she wants most.
Jane is, above all, someone who balances her desire for love with her need for propriety--she will only be happy when she can live with the man she wants, as well as live correctly according to her religion and moral beliefs. As such, the story is centrally about her ability to marry these two aspects of herself together.
The Madwoman in the Attic: Bertha Mason
Given this central theme, many modern readers have seen the figure of Bertha Mason as not only an aspect of the plot--providing the impediment to Jane and Rochester's happiness--but also as holding an important symbolic meaning.
Although, at its heart, Jane Eyre is a reasonably simple romantic tale, Bronte delivers the tale in a way that is both original and striking. Bronte borrows from Gothic literature to create the feeling of menace that hangs around Thornfield Hall, and give Jane an almost supernatural ability to foresee the future. However, she never allows these elements of the supernatural to stifle the essentially human story about the battle between a woman's ideals and what she wants most.
Jane is, above all, someone who balances her desire for love with her need for propriety--she will only be happy when she can live with the man she wants, as well as live correctly according to her religion and moral beliefs. As such, the story is centrally about her ability to marry these two aspects of herself together.
The Madwoman in the Attic: Bertha Mason
Given this central theme, many modern readers have seen the figure of Bertha Mason as not only an aspect of the plot--providing the impediment to Jane and Rochester's happiness--but also as holding an important symbolic meaning.
A psychological reading of the novel's most enigmatic character--considered the mad woman in the attic--represents a side of Jane's character that is licentious, libidinal and care-free. But, Bertha also appears to us as a monstrous creature--full of rage: "a discoloured face--it was a savage face." Jane says, "I wish I could forget the roll of the red eyes and the fearful blackened inflation of the lineaments! ... This, sir, was purple: the lips were swelled and dark; the brow furrowed; the black eyebrows wildly raised over the blood-shot eyes..." She becomes almost a Beowulf creature, coming to tear up the veil, and standing as a roadblock to any hope Jane has of stability or matrimonial bliss. In the end, Jane must find a way o return, so that she can reconcile the two sides of her character--while repressing her unruly desire.
Symbolic: Jane Eyre
Whether it's a symbolic work, or merely one that is concerned with portraying an interesting story--peopled with interesting characters--Jane Eyre, is a blinding success. With Jane and Rochester, Bronte created two characters that will live on in the imagination as doomed lovers, unable to come together because of the faults they have committed in the past and the nature of their characters. Their final ability to fall in love presents a real hope that love--even in the most trying of circumstances--can be achieved.
Whether it's a symbolic work, or merely one that is concerned with portraying an interesting story--peopled with interesting characters--Jane Eyre, is a blinding success. With Jane and Rochester, Bronte created two characters that will live on in the imagination as doomed lovers, unable to come together because of the faults they have committed in the past and the nature of their characters. Their final ability to fall in love presents a real hope that love--even in the most trying of circumstances--can be achieved.
