"Jane Eyre": summary. Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The novel "Jane Eyre" was created by Charlotte Brontë in 1847. For more than 100 years, it has been listed as a masterpiece of world literature. The best work of the writer was rejected by many publishers, until it ended up in the hands of a person who was able to appreciate its originality. The passion and sincerity with which the story of a nondescript governess who experienced all-consuming love and managed to come to happiness is written allows the novel not to lose its charm even today.

Aunt's life

Telling about the novel "Jane Eyre", the summary is difficult to put into a few words, the story of a simple governess is so eventful. In the first chapter, the reader meets an orphan girl who lost her beloved parents early. Her mother's brother's widow, Mrs. Reid, became her guardian. Jane's mother's parents were rich and respected people, but she abandoned her family for a poor priest.

Aunt Reed sincerely despised her late husband's sister for her deed, transferring her attitude to little Jane. All the inhabitants of the house, from the aunt and her children to the servants, treated her badly. The girl was unfairly called a spoiled and vicious liar,emphasized that she was allowed to live at Gateshead Hall solely out of mercy.

Especially Bronte's heroine Jane Eyre suffered from the antics of her cousin John. The nasty boy constantly provoked her into a conflict in order to declare her guilty. After another fight with young Reed, the orphan was sent to the creepy Red Room. It was there that Mrs. Reed's husband died, and it was believed that his ghost sometimes returned.

Move to Lowood

Conclusion in a terrible room turned into a serious illness for the unfortunate girl. The aunt, not eager to waste time on a bad child, sent her niece to school. The school chosen by Mrs. Reid was called Lowood. At first, the little captive dreamed of school, thinking that she could gain freedom. But it soon became clear that Charlotte Bronte Jane Eyre immersed in a real orphanage.

Sleek hairdos, poor dresses, every Lowood pupil looked exactly like everyone else. The girls with whom the orphan had to study were embittered, afraid of everything in the world. Jane was forced to eat disgusting food every day, endure harsh attacks from teachers and a terrible cold, live in strict accordance with the schedule that every minute of the school obeyed.

To those who are starting to get acquainted with the book, it may seem that Charlotte Brontë Jane Eyre is going to torment literally on every page. However, in Lowood, something good happens to the main character. AtThe girls make friends for the first time in their lives. Her friend becomes one of the pupils of Helen Berne, who managed to teach her love and patience. The orphan is also close friends with the headmistress of the school, Miss Temple, a benevolent woman who is different from other teachers.

Invitation to Thornfield

The life of a girl in Lowood continues for 8 years, two of them she works at the school as a teacher. A boring, measured existence disgusts an energetic Englishwoman. The only solution to her problem is to move, so Miss Eyre is looking for a place as a governess. In the end, efforts are crowned with success. Jane Eyre the author sends to Thornfield Manor.

A governess who escaped from the imprisonment of the tragic "Lowood" is ready to take on new duties. Mrs. Fairfax - Thornfield's housekeeper - warmly welcomes the girl and introduces her to the future student. Little Adele is a pupil of Edward Rochester, her employer. Subsequently, Jane learns that the child is the abandoned daughter of a French singer who was once Rochester's mistress. The owner himself mainly lives on the continent, visiting his possessions extremely rarely.

The life of a new governess in Thornfield could be described as pleasant. She likes Adele, Mrs. Fairfax is the epitome of friendliness. However, an oppressive atmosphere of mystery hung in the huge house. At night, Jane wakes up with laughter that simply cannot belong to a person.

Introducing Rochester

Almost in the middle of Jane Eyre's life story (a summary of the work is presented here), Rochester appears spectacularly. The owner of the estate can hardly be called a handsome man. He has irregular features, dark skin, strong build. However, the governess instantly takes a liking to her employer and gets the same treatment in return.

Of course, in the best tradition of English Jane Eyre novels, the author makes you behave with cool courtesy. Edward, on the other hand, maintains a good-natured, rude tone.

Arrival of guests

Rochester Manor is suddenly filled with guests, which does not please Jane Eyre. The content of the novel becomes even sadder, the main character plunges into suffering, experiencing the pangs of jealousy. She is worried about the attention that the object of her passion pays to one of her visitors - the beautiful Miss Blanche. All the inhabitants of the house are confident that the wedding day is about to be announced. Jane gives herself up to gloomy thoughts about her future, thinks about looking for a new job.

Rochester does propose marriage, but not to the beautiful Blanche. He asks the governess to become his wife, and she answers with a happy consent, since she has been burning with love for more than a month. The bride and groom are determined on the day of the wedding. However, those who at this moment are counting on a happy outcome of Jane Eyre's story will not be pleased with the summary.

Failed wedding

According to the law of the genre, all the plans of lovers collapse right in front of the altar, almost a minute before the priest was supposed to witness their unionbefore god. A stranger bursts into the church, protesting loudly. Marriage is not possible as Edward is married to his sister. Rochester, crushed by grief, does not protest, the guests disperse.

Edward's Secret

Of course, the failed husband has to explain himself to Jane Eyre. The summary of his story is as follows: he is really married. Many years ago, his father deprived young Edward of his hopes for a fortune by making a will in favor of his older brother. Rochester himself is encouraged to marry a we althy West Indian heiress. He had practically no opportunity to communicate with the bride, and he did not know about her secret.

A young wife, whose pedigree already included crazy people, almost immediately ceases to look like a person. Bertha turns into a cruel, indifferent animal, completely unable to live in society. Rochester locks her in a family home inherited from his dead brother and gets to enjoy the benefits of being a we althy bachelor.

Escape from Thornfield

Deceived bride ignores her lover's pleas to stay at his house. She quickly leaves Thornfield. Of course, this is not the end of Jane Eyre's story. The summary only opens the next chapter. The governess leaves the estate in a hurry, she doesn't even have any money. The stagecoach driver drops her off in a completely unfamiliar place penniless.

Jane's misadventures continue as she roams the wilderness, risking her life from starvation. In the endin the end, the heroine faints at the door of a random house, which a vigilant maid did not allow her to enter.

Meeting with Saint John

Jane comes to the aid of a local priest and his sisters Mary and Diana. The governess quickly becomes sympathetic to educated, benevolent people, but does not tell them her real name and does not dedicate to the events of her past life. The priest of St. John is very handsome and determined to devote his life to missionary work. He is loved by the local beauty Rosamund, the daughter of we althy parents. Her feeling is mutual, but the young man chooses what he considers his destiny - the enlightenment of pagans in India.

St. John needs a faithful companion and life partner who will help him without distracting from the sacred mission. In his opinion, the nondescript stranger he picked up on the street is best suited for this position - Jane Eyre. Reviews about this novel do not lie, it is really rich in unexpected twists.

Miss Eyre is perfectly aware that the person who proposes to her is absolutely indifferent to her. She categorically refuses to marry, but agrees to join him on a trip as an assistant and sister. But the priest considers such a decision unacceptable.

An unexpected legacy

Jane continues to live in the house of the people who sheltered her, works in a rural school, in the opening of which St. John helped her. This continues until it suddenly turns out that the poor teacher is actually a we althy heiress. It turns out that the girl is a cousin of the priest and his sisters, their mother was his father's sister. The unexpectedly found relatives also had another uncle - John Eyre.

This man, who once made a fortune in Madeira, spent many years looking for his missing niece. Dying, he bequeathed to Jane, who was never found by him, a huge fortune - 20 thousand pounds. The generous heroine of the work of Charlotte Bronte, of course, could not take all the money for herself. Miss Eyre insists on dividing the inheritance into four.

Return to Rochester

Of course, the story of Jane Eyre, the film adaptation of which has about 10 paintings, does not end with the acquisition of an inheritance. The girl cannot stop suffering in any way, remembering the rejected Rochester. Ultimately, she decides to visit the inhabitants of Thornfield. Arriving, the girl sees the ruins in front of her. It turns out that as a result of a fire organized by a crazy wife, Rochester becomes disabled. Trying to save Bertha, he loses his sight and his right arm. A widowed Edward moves to a nearby estate. Upon hearing this, Jane rushes to him.

One glance at a loved one is enough for a former governess to realize that she is no longer able to part with him. The girl turns into the arms and eyes of her dear Rochester. This story, fortunately, has a happy ending. Miss Eyre's lover gradually regains sight, they marry.

Directors' work

Roman "JaneAir" was transferred to the screen about 10 times. One of the best is the creation of Joan Kraft, who concentrated during the filming of the film on maximum authenticity. The scenario of the mini-series included almost all the monologues in the work. There is also a voice-over, clarifying incomprehensible moments.

And this is far from the only time when the cinema turned to the story of Jane Eyre (film adaptations are far from worthy of attention). Among them, the film, in which the role of Mr. Rochester was played by Timothy D alton, and Zila Clark became his partner, became quite famous. The picture also clearly adheres to the original, all monologues and dialogues are preserved, the storylines are not violated.

If anyone wants to watch the newest series about the life of an English governess, you should pay attention to the 2006 film, which received high marks from the public.