Jane Eyre [antikvár]

Introduction Jane Eyre ranks as one of the greatest and most perennially popular woiks of English literaiy fiction. The heroine, Jane Eyre, is a poor, but plucky orphan of sharp wit and independent spirit, although outwardly of plain appearance, who is left to the care of her aunt Mrs Reed. Her cruel treatment at the hands of her guardian leads to a passionate outburst, which results in her being sent to Lowood Institution (see below). There, in extremely harsh conditions, she befriends a fellow orphan, Helen Bums, who subsequently dies of consumption in Jane's arms. Her life at lx>wood is improved somewhat by the kindness shown to her by the superintendent. Miss Temple. Mirroring Charlotte Bronte's own life, Jane then spends some time as a teacher and then as a govemess. Through her friendship with Miss Temple, Jane obtains a position as govemess to Adele, the illegitimate ^ughter of the sardonic Mr Rochester of Thomfield Hall. Jane's intelligence and wit appeal to Rochester and they fall in love. On the eve of their wedding, the secrets of Rochester's past are revealed and Jane flees, despite her fiancé's entreaties. In her flight, Jane almost perishes on die moors, but is rescued and looked after by the Rev. St John Rivers and his sisters. Jane learns that the Rivers are her cousins and that she has come into an inheritance from an uncle. Jane comes under strong pressure to marry St John Rivers, but is drawn back to Thomfield Hall by a telepathic message from Rochester. She arrives there to find the Hall burned down and Rochester blinded and maimed from an unsuccessful attempt to rescue his insane Creole wife. Bertha, from the flames. Jane marries Rochester and his sight is eventually partially restored. Charlotte _ Brontë was bom on 21st April 1816 at Thornton, Yorkshire. She was the third child of Patrick and Maria Brontë. Her father was Irish and a Church of England cleric from a Methodist background. On 20th April 1820 the Brontës moved to Haworth, near Keighley, Yorkshire where Charlotte's father was the perpetual curate until his death in 1861. Charlotte's mother died on 15th September 1821 after which the Brontë children were cared for by their aunt, Elizabeth Bramwell.