Background Information for Jane Eyre By Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre: Introduction What do you do when everyone who loves you is gone and you’re all alone in the world? Jane Eyre is an orphan in 1800s England. Her aunt has agreed to raise her but treats her badly. She allows Jane’s cousin to bully her and punishes Jane harshly, yet she expects Jane to be thankful.

THE NOVEL Published in October 1847 During the Industrial Revolution

Schooling During the early 19th century, it became fashionable to educate females. However, free education was not yet available for either sex. Only the very rich could send their daughters to elegant girls’ schools

Governesses 1. Less costly schools were formed by well-meaning benefactors in order to educate poor females. 2. Illness was common because there was not a clear understanding of the relationship between dirt & disease 3. With the new stress on female education, governesses were in demand. 4. Pay was poor, but it was one of the only jobs available to educated, yet impoverished young women

Role of the governess Employers & other servants shunned the governess because they felt she was “putting on airs.” Her employers would ignore her, too, because she had a superior education, which intimidated many people.

A ground breaking novel Why? The heroine is small, plain, & poor The heroine is the first female character to claim the right to feel strongly about her emotions and act on her convictions This romantic ground had previously been reserved for males Such a psychologically complex heroine had never been created before

Charlotte Bronte Lived at Haworth, a parsonage Born of Irish ancestry in 1816 Mother died of cancer when Charlotte was 5 years old.

The Bronte sisters Charlotte had 4 sisters and 1 brother. While at the Clergy Daughter’s School, her 2 older sisters (Maria & Elizabeth) died of tuberculosis

Charlotte’s family con.’t The Clergy Daughter’s School at Cowan Bridge became the model for Lowood, the fictitious girls’ school in Jane Eyre. Anne and Emily Bronte were also successful writers. Charlotte’s brother, Branwell, was a gifted painter.

More on Charlotte’s Family In 1846, Charlotte & her sisters started publishing poems and began writing novels: The Professor was Charlotte’s attempt to fictionalize her love for a college professor she had met at Brussels. In 1847 Wuthering Heights was sister Emily’s first success. Charlotte followed with Jane Eyre.

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.

All 3 Bronte Sisters… Used a masculine pen name because women writers were not taken seriously at that time in Victorian England. Charlotte used the name Currer Bell.

Marriage Bells In 1854 She marries her father's curate, Arthur Bell Nichols. The next year, she became pregnant, then ill. She died a month before her 39th birthday

Charlotte’s Religious Views Father, Patrick Bronte, was an Anglican clergyman Due to her upbringing, she often wrote about religious hypocrisy—those who preach one doctrine but live by another

Jane Eyre’s Romantic Heritage The Romantic Movement Came into play in at the end of the 18th Century. Championed for the rights of the individual over the demands of society. Believed that humans were inherently good Valued imagination over reason Inspired by nature

Charlotte’s Gothic Influence Jane Eyre displays some characteristics of the gothic novel: Imprisoned women A heroine who faces danger Supernatural interventions at crucial moments in the plot A romantic reconciliation

Jane Eyre and the Gothic Novel “Dark Romanticism” Mystery Haunted castle or house Dreaming and nightmares Doppelgänger or alter ego Physical imprisonment Psychological entrapment and helplessness Involvement of the supernatural Psychology of horror and/or terror Henry Fuseli’s The Nightmare, 1781

“Feminist” Novel During this time period, men and women were separated into separate “spheres” Men occupied the world of work, knowledge, power, society, etc. Women occupied the world of the home and family There were few occupations available to women

Bildungsroman A novel that considers the development (psychological/spiritual) of a person from childhood to maturity, to the point at which the protagonist recognizes his/her place and role in the world From The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms, 2nd Ed.

Topics Explored in Jane Eyre The various natures of love Female independence in a world where women are made to be dependent on men Forgiveness The effect of money on happiness The effect of religious belief on social conduct

Byronic Hero Proud Gloomy Mysterious Passionate This term is created by the famous poet George Gordon, Lord Byron. Characteristics are… Proud Gloomy Mysterious Passionate *Mr. Rochester is an example of this type

Charlotte’s Quotes It is vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it. If we would build on a sure foundation in friendship, we must love friends for their sake rather than for our own.

Other Characters (Cont.) Grace Poole – Bertha’s mysterious keeper, serves as Bertha’s scapegoat Adèle Varens – Jane’s pupil, daughter of Rochester’s old mistress, Celene Richard Mason – Bertha’s brother, exposes the secret marriage Blanche Ingram – socialite after Rochester’s money, opposite of Jane Adèle Blanche Ingram

Charlotte’s Gothic Influence Jane Eyre displays some characteristics of the gothic novel: Imprisoned women A heroine who faces danger Supernatural interventions at crucial moments in the plot A romantic reconciliation

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