Jane Eyre

Author: CHARLOTTE BRONTE
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-02-01
Features: In the gallery of literary characters, Anna, Marguerite (La Dame aux Camélias), and Esmeralda are all extraordinary beauties. Yet, plain Jane Eyre holds her own among them. Why? Jane Eyre, born into hardship and raised in a church charity school, arrives at Thornfield Hall with a small suitcase, becoming a governess. She is intelligent and composed, unassuming yet catches the attention of the world-weary Rochester, who is deeply disillusioned with high society. Finally, two lonely hearts converge. A sudden turn of events occurs—Jane quietly leaves: she loves him, but cannot live with him as his mistress. By chance, she inherits a fortune, and marriage seems to be approaching, but she chooses to leave again. Thornfield is reduced to ashes, the mad wife is dead, and the blind Rochester is left alone. Thus, Jane Eyre returns, loyal to love, yet proud and self-reliant. This is the charm of Jane Eyre.