Charlotte Brontë: Jane Eyre and main topics
In a nutshell
Charlotte Brontë was an English novelist from the 19th century popular for developing the topic of education. Her most emblematic novel was Jane Eyre.
The Author's Life
Charlotte Brontë was born in England in 1816 under the wing of an Anglican family. Brontë spent a great part of her life isolated in a remote part of Yorkshire. She did not receive a formal education, though she attended school for some periods and was mainly self-educated. Brontë developed a passion for reading from her father's library, periodicals, and the local public library.
In 1847, under a pen name, Brontë published Jane Eyre, which was a complete success. She published other two novels: Shirley (1849) and Villette (1853). Charlotte married Reverend Arthur Nicholls in 1854, and unfortunately, died a year later probably of an illness during pregnancy.
Main Topics
Charlotte Brontë wrote about topics such as human experiences, social class, religion, marriage, and employment. However, Brontë's most emblematic theme was education.
EDUCATION
Brontë introduces the topic of education as a life lesson during hard times. For example, in her novel Jane Eyre, the reader accompanies Jane through the journey from childhood to adulthood, which is influenced by the struggle for self-control and overcoming Victorian standards until she is fully educated.
Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre is a novel written by Charlotte Brontë and published in 1847. It depicts the story of a young orphan, Jane Eyre, being raised by her abusive Aunt Reed, and overcoming life's difficult circumstances.
THE PLOT
The novel starts with Jane living in Gateshead Hall with the Reed family. The theme of education is rendered immediately, as Jane is excluded from the 'drawing-room' where kids were being taught. Jane tries to educate herself by reading Bewick's History of British Birds, however, she is punished by John Reed, who throws a door at her. Full of anger, Jane yells and cries out, and is later locked up in the 'red room'.
Mrs Reed decides to send Jane to a boarding school for orphaned girls where Jane receives an education, even if the lifestyle is based on strict discipline and harsh treatment. Despite the adversities, Jane Eyre masters the Lowood curriculum and later gets a job as a governess at Thornfield Hall.
The following text is an extract from Jane Eyre:
During these eight years my life was uniform, but not unhappy, because it was not inactive... Miss Temple, through all changes, had thus far continued superintendent of the seminary; to her instruction I owed the best art of my acquirements; her friendship and society had been my continual solace; she had stood me in the stead of mother, governess, and latterly, companion... From the day she left I was no longer the same; with her was gone every settled feeling, every association that had made Lowood in some degree a home to me.
| (Brontë C.) |
In this passage, Jane describes her eight years at Lowood and compares the experience to her home. She emphasizes Miss Temple's positive influence, even portraying her as a mother figure. However, any feeling of being at home is gone when Miss Temple leaves, which illustrates how Jane still desires a sense of family and home but knows she will not find it at Lowood.
