The Bronte sisters started writing at an early age and as adults all three found success with their novels. The threesome published a book of poetry under their pseudonyms of Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell. The collection sold just two copies.
Background of Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre was published in 1847, a year after the sisters’ unsuccessful first published work. At this time Charlotte Bronte, along with her sisters, was still using her pen-name, Currer Bell. All three publicly announced their true identities in 1849. However, they were loathed to expose themselves to the glare of the media spotlight and chose to dismiss their new found fame.
Charlotte Bronte’s first novel, Jane Eyre, was a huge success and gained the thirty one year old author critical acclaim. Her following two works Shirley (1849) and Villette (1853) cemented her reputation and made her something of a celebrity. However, Bronte could not enjoy her success. The deaths of her sisters to tuberculosis led to her living a rather secluded life.
Unsurprisingly, Jane Eyre has been adapted for television and film on numerous occasions. It has also been the inspiration for other literary works, such as Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca and Jean Rhys’s Wide Sargasso Sea, a prequel which tells the tale of the first Mrs Rochester.
Synopsis of the Novel
Jane Eyre is an orphan who lives with her aunt who favours her own children over Jane. Jane is a studious girl with a vivid imagination and a lust for life. Eventually her spiritedness lands her in trouble with her aunt and she is sent away.
Jane finds herself placed at Lowood, a school set on bleak moors. It is interesting to note that much of the Bronte’s work is set on the moors, which were their home. They certainly seem to have an affinity for the area which captures their imaginations. Lowood school is harsh place with sever punishments and mistreatment, but Jane is a young woman of endurance, and while at Lowood she learns to repress her passionate nature in order to survive.
Eventually the years pass and Jane is sent to be a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she teaches Adele. Adele is Mr Rochester’s young ward, she is energetic, enthusiastic and affectionate. In fact, in many ways she resembles a young Jane.
Mr Rochester is kind, but mysterious. Jane’s feelings for him begin to develop into something more than friendship, however, she is very aware of the social gap between herself and her employer. In addition eerie things begin to occur in the house and Jane and there is an ominous sense that the heroine cannot ignore.
Bronte's Writing Style
Jane Eyre is one of the most famous works in the whole of English literature. The story has stood the test of time and is just as captivating now as it has always been. Although, society has undoubtedly changed readers still identify with Jane’s struggle for equality and the constant wrestling to be herself.
The novel is told entirely in the first person, through the eyes of Jane. This is possibly because Charlotte Bronte attended a school which was similar to Lowood. Apparently, the young Bronte also had a personal experience of unrequited love. She fell in love with a man she could not hope to marry. This is possibly one of the reasons for the longevity of the novel. It’s remains so powerful and poignant, because it came from such a sincere place in the heart and mind of the author.
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