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1. Bibliographic Information
Brontë, C. (2009). Jane Eyre. New York: Vintage Press.
596 pages
ISBN: 978-0-307-45519-2
2. Plot Summary
Jane Eyre is a young orphan who is living with her aunt, Mrs. Reed, and her three spoiled children. Jane is a passionate young girl, and is stifled in a household that neither wants nor cares for her. Things come to a climax when Mrs. Reed’s son hits Jane for reading “his” books. In retaliation Jane attacks him and knocks him down. Instead of reprimanding John, her aunt sends her to her dead uncle’s room where she swears she sees his ghost. Not long after this incident Jane is sent to a boarding school. The school is not much different from her life at home, but she does find solace in her playfellow, Helen Burns. Through Helen, Jane begins to develop faith in God, and despite Helen’s premature death at school, Jane begins to cope with her life. Nevertheless, at 18, Jane is tired of her simple life at Lowood School. She applies for a governess position for a young girl named Adele at Thornfield Hall, care of a Mrs. Fairfax. After being accepted, Jane goes to Thornfield. Several months into her stay she meets the owner, Mr. Edward Rochester. Despite her position and social standing, Jane becomes interested in the master of the house. However, all is not well, and things begin to go awry.
3. Critical Evaluation
Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre is an interesting book. Jane represents a strong female character that has a strong sense of self and belief system. While Brontë’s work is not so much a social commentary as it is a character study, there are some revealing aspects to Jane’s character that could be perceived as faults with 19th century culture. Despite Jane’s social standing, upbringing, age, and gender, Brontë is quick to justify Jane’s right to love Mr. Rochester. She demands that her love is equal to that of Rochester, and that by declaring her love for them, they are equal. Thus Brontë’s views on both the equality of women and social standing can be inferred through Jane’s character. Additionally, the role of religion is a crucial element to Jane’s being. Jane Eyre is just as much about love as it is about knowing oneself. Jane’s understanding of her beliefs is the underlying factor to which she bases her decisions. It is this personal relationship with her beliefs that allows Jane to not only feel Rochester’s equal but also proud of her own self.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Jane Eyre is a plain girl, sent to live in Thornfield Hall in order to teach Mr. Rochester’s ward. However, something is hiding in the north tower that does not want Jane to stay.
5. Information about the author
Charlotte Brontë was born in 1816. Her life was much like the heroine in her novel, Jane Eyre. She went to an oppressive school and worked as a teacher and a governess before writing. She and her sisters Anne and Emily published works under the name Currer Bell. After the success of Jane Eyre, Charlotte went on to write three other novels before dying shortly after her marriage.
6. Genre
Classic
7. Curriculum Ties
This novel was an option for the Accelerated Reading Program at my high school. It could be used in an unit on British Classic Literature.
8. Booktalking Ideas
-How does Jane’s belief in God affect her decisions in the novel?
-Some people do not like the conclusion of the novel. What do you think about the supernatural elements in this story?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
(Cross-over novel) While some teens might question whether or not this book kept their interest, based upon the themes of this novel I would recommend it to 16-year-olds to adults.
10. Challenge Issues
Imdb.com reports that the novel was banned in the 1860s stating that it was “unsuitable for young ladies,” however I could not find any other material which confirms or denies that statement. Nevertheless, the book was written in 1847, and so by today’s standards the content seems relatively tame. Themes in this book which might cause some concern is the role of religion, the issue of sex before marriage (or being a mistress), bigamy and adultery. However, most of these issues are alluded to rather than done outright. If anyone wished to challenge this book I would refer them to the ALA’s website which also includes a challenge form at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm/
11. Why was it selected?
I read this book when I was in high school, so I thought it would be a good example of a classic that teens can read.
12. Citations
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Brontë, C. (2009). Jane Eyre. New York: Vintage Press.
Imdb.com. (2010). Biography for Charlotte Bronte. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0111576/bio
Picture
Amazon.com. (2010). Jane Eyre (Vintage Classics) (Paperback). Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Vintage-Classics-Charlotte-Bronte/dp/030745519X#reader_030745519X
13. Awards
No awards known, however, the book was well received when first published.
Brontë, C. (2009). Jane Eyre. New York: Vintage Press.
596 pages
ISBN: 978-0-307-45519-2
2. Plot Summary
Jane Eyre is a young orphan who is living with her aunt, Mrs. Reed, and her three spoiled children. Jane is a passionate young girl, and is stifled in a household that neither wants nor cares for her. Things come to a climax when Mrs. Reed’s son hits Jane for reading “his” books. In retaliation Jane attacks him and knocks him down. Instead of reprimanding John, her aunt sends her to her dead uncle’s room where she swears she sees his ghost. Not long after this incident Jane is sent to a boarding school. The school is not much different from her life at home, but she does find solace in her playfellow, Helen Burns. Through Helen, Jane begins to develop faith in God, and despite Helen’s premature death at school, Jane begins to cope with her life. Nevertheless, at 18, Jane is tired of her simple life at Lowood School. She applies for a governess position for a young girl named Adele at Thornfield Hall, care of a Mrs. Fairfax. After being accepted, Jane goes to Thornfield. Several months into her stay she meets the owner, Mr. Edward Rochester. Despite her position and social standing, Jane becomes interested in the master of the house. However, all is not well, and things begin to go awry.
3. Critical Evaluation
Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre is an interesting book. Jane represents a strong female character that has a strong sense of self and belief system. While Brontë’s work is not so much a social commentary as it is a character study, there are some revealing aspects to Jane’s character that could be perceived as faults with 19th century culture. Despite Jane’s social standing, upbringing, age, and gender, Brontë is quick to justify Jane’s right to love Mr. Rochester. She demands that her love is equal to that of Rochester, and that by declaring her love for them, they are equal. Thus Brontë’s views on both the equality of women and social standing can be inferred through Jane’s character. Additionally, the role of religion is a crucial element to Jane’s being. Jane Eyre is just as much about love as it is about knowing oneself. Jane’s understanding of her beliefs is the underlying factor to which she bases her decisions. It is this personal relationship with her beliefs that allows Jane to not only feel Rochester’s equal but also proud of her own self.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Jane Eyre is a plain girl, sent to live in Thornfield Hall in order to teach Mr. Rochester’s ward. However, something is hiding in the north tower that does not want Jane to stay.
5. Information about the author
Charlotte Brontë was born in 1816. Her life was much like the heroine in her novel, Jane Eyre. She went to an oppressive school and worked as a teacher and a governess before writing. She and her sisters Anne and Emily published works under the name Currer Bell. After the success of Jane Eyre, Charlotte went on to write three other novels before dying shortly after her marriage.
6. Genre
Classic
7. Curriculum Ties
This novel was an option for the Accelerated Reading Program at my high school. It could be used in an unit on British Classic Literature.
8. Booktalking Ideas
-How does Jane’s belief in God affect her decisions in the novel?
-Some people do not like the conclusion of the novel. What do you think about the supernatural elements in this story?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
(Cross-over novel) While some teens might question whether or not this book kept their interest, based upon the themes of this novel I would recommend it to 16-year-olds to adults.
10. Challenge Issues
Imdb.com reports that the novel was banned in the 1860s stating that it was “unsuitable for young ladies,” however I could not find any other material which confirms or denies that statement. Nevertheless, the book was written in 1847, and so by today’s standards the content seems relatively tame. Themes in this book which might cause some concern is the role of religion, the issue of sex before marriage (or being a mistress), bigamy and adultery. However, most of these issues are alluded to rather than done outright. If anyone wished to challenge this book I would refer them to the ALA’s website which also includes a challenge form at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm/
11. Why was it selected?
I read this book when I was in high school, so I thought it would be a good example of a classic that teens can read.
12. Citations
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Brontë, C. (2009). Jane Eyre. New York: Vintage Press.
Imdb.com. (2010). Biography for Charlotte Bronte. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0111576/bio
Picture
Amazon.com. (2010). Jane Eyre (Vintage Classics) (Paperback). Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Vintage-Classics-Charlotte-Bronte/dp/030745519X#reader_030745519X
13. Awards
No awards known, however, the book was well received when first published.
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