Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Released: 1847 (1992 Edition)
Publishers: Wordsworth Classics
Format: Paperback
Pages: 398
My Rating: 5/5

A Classic
[Warning: Spoilers]

"Jane Eyre ranks as one of the greatest and most perennially popular works of English fiction. Although the poor but plucky heroine is outwardly of plain appearance, she possesses an indomitable spirit, a sharp wit and great courage.
She is forced to battle against the exigencies of a cruel guardian, a harsh employer and a rigid social order. All of which circumscribe her life and position when she becomes governess to the daughter of the mysterious, sardonic and attractive Mr Rochester.
However, there is great kindness and warmth in this epic love story, which is set against the magnificent backdrop of the Yorkshire moors. Ultimately the grand passion of Jane and Rochester is called upon to survive cruel revelation, loss and reunion, only to be confronted with tragedy."

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This instantly became my one of my top favourite classics that I have read. I absolutely loved this and I'm proud to say that it is definitely a classic. Jane Eyre brought everything that I wanted to a novel, romance, mystery, even a little thrill and all over a female protagonist who can look after herself and is incredibly independent. It really shouts out to me that this is an amazing piece of novel writing and I'm actually going to break down parts of the story and talk about specific moments in Jane Eyre so beware: SPOILERS TO COME!!

For any of you who have read Jane Eyre we are first introduced to Jane at a young age living with her close relatives, the Reed family. She is bullied by her cousin John where she rightly defends herself by fighting back (yes girl!). Despite getting caught we see a young girl who is brave to stand up against the expectations of girls and women during the 19th Century. The bildungsroman novel allows us to see her character develop throughout the chapters as she grows up; we learn of her fears of the 'Red Room' (don't get mixed up with E.L. James' Red Room) where her Uncle passed and her hysterical ideas of ghosts in the room leading to her next step in her journey to the Institution.

At the Institution Jane, yet again slightly naughty and rebellious, is punished into becoming a lady befriends Helen, I'm not going to reveal too much but I wish we got to know Helen a little more as during the time that she appears in the narrative we, like Jane, grow attached to the little mischief maker. Jane grows up becoming a teacher at the Institute and furthers her career by becoming a governess at Thornfield Hall, where the story comes in to play. Here she meets the delightful Mrs Fairfax and Adele, a French child desiring a friend in a huge house full of occupants that aren't ladies or gentlemen. Here dear readers is where we first meet Mr Rochester, well Jane meets him in unexpected circumstances but from here the mystery begins.

The readers are given so many enigmas: is Rochester in love with Blanche or Jane? Who is the mad woman in the attic and why is said woman so hell bent on killing the occupants of Thornfield! (well mainly Mr. Rochester).  I did love the plot twist where we learn that the mad woman is named Bertha, (SPOILER ALERT) Mr Rochester's first wife, who had gone mad and instead of divorcing her he thought he could lock her up (the fool), under the supervision of Grace Poole, and continue his life like normal. Silly mistake Mr Rochester! Did he really think he could get away with such a thing?

Clearly Jane decides to get a little air from Thornfield, I mean she was nearly wed to a man who already had a wife! And she flees with no direction of where she is heading. Luckily St. John, a long lost relative we learn, takes her in and cares for her. After a bond is made they grow closer and St. John wishes Jane to travel with him to India, Jane excited by this ordeal is more than happy to but St. John means to travel as more than a friend. As a wife. Jane denies the proposal and decides it might be time to head back to Thornfield. She hears Edward Rochester's voice in the wind, cue the love story...

When she heads back to Thornfield Hall it is nothing but ruins. She meets Mrs Fairfax who informs Jane that Bertha escaped and set the house on fire; Edward tried to save everyone from within the house including Bertha however Bertha decided to take her life before Edward could save her. Mr Rochester ended up with injuries including being blind and lived in a house on the outskirts of the property. Jane goes to the property and sees Rochester, he realises it's her and they basically lived happily ever after - get married and have children.

In this sense it's kind of like Bronte didn't know how to end it so she followed in the fairy tale convention by making it a happy ending. I mean Bronte even hints at Rochester starting to see again.

Overall, as you can probably guess from this lengthy discussion with myself, which is slightly informal and erratic and I think went off on a tangent which probably doesn't make sense so I apologise now but I am tired! I loved Jane Eyre; probably one of my favourite classics I have read so far. I will definitely be re-reading this time and time again. Everything about this novel appeals to me so much!
I intend on watching some movie adaptations soon to see how they compare. If any of you love this novel, or hate it, or can suggest adaptations worth a watch then please leave a comment down below!

Enjoy x

GoodReads:  Jane Eyre 

Available in most book stores and online now.