A classic gothic tale following the lonely life of Jane Eyre. Orphaned at a young age, raised by an abusive aunt, sent to boarding school, Jane finally sets out on her own to be governess at the remote Thornfield Hall, teaching the illegitimate daughter of the landowner, Mr. Rochester. But as Jane and her employer grow closer, strange things happen around them, threatening their happiness.

The source of the mad wife locked in the attic trope

, this story is full of mysterious intruige, strange servants, ghosts, and other supernatural phenomena that any gothic fan would love

Why? Why… Why..

“Jane Eyre” is a beautiful and impactful novel that I first read in 8th grade. Back then, my reading comprehension wasn’t as well developed as it is now, and my tastes have changed quite a bit. I didn’t and still don’t love romance, but I gave it a shot because of its classic status. I didn’t love it, but I think that’s mostly just me. I plan on re-reading it one day.

At its core, the story explores Jane’s relentless quest for home and belonging. Each segment of her life brings her closer to understanding what it means to be true to oneself, despite societal pressures and personal challenges. Brontë’s storytelling is gripping, and her execution of Jane’s character development is superb, showcasing Jane’s strength and moral integrity.

Rochester and Jane’s romance and dynamic are… interesting. I think they are good together. Jane and Rochester are each other’s intellectual equals. They are both smart, and despite the initial power dynamic (with Rochester being older and of a higher social status), they grow to care for each other deeply. Their relationship is fraught with tension, especially after the revelation of Rochester’s existing marriage to Bertha Mason. This twist showcases Jane’s moral fortitude as she refuses to become his mistress, choosing dignity and independence over passion.

While I understand why the twist made sense at the time, I find the addition of Bertha Mason to be a bit strange, especially in the context of current times. The treatment of mental illness and the racial component of her character don’t age well. Bertha Mason, also known as the madwoman in the attic, is Mr. Rochester’s first wife, whom he keeps locked in a room on the third floor of Thornfield Hall. She is a woman from the West Indies of mixed racial ancestry and is, according to Mr. Rochester, a lunatic. Rochester’s narrative of events reveals his initial allure to her beauty and wealth, only to discover her supposed madness post-marriage. His descriptions of her as having “a violent and unreasonable temper” play into the stereotype of the “other” as exotic, mysterious, and ultimately threatening. Since Bertha lacks a voice in the novel, it’s impossible to know if she truly has a mental illness or if Rochester’s biased version distorts her true character.

Jane only marries Rochester after she becomes financially independent and has a sense of family. Rochester, now weakened, tips the balance, making their relationship more equal. This can be seen as Brontë’s way of giving Jane more autonomy, which I appreciate.

The juxtaposition between St. John and Rochester is also interesting. Rochester is passionate, while St. John is driven by principles and morality. Jane’s decision to not choose St. John but still remain financially independent and follow her moral compass shows she values both passion and integrity. She won’t be in a relationship that goes against her principles, which is compelling.

Helen Burns is another intriguing character with her differing views on religion compared to the school’s doctrine. Her submissive and soft nature contrasts with Jane’s tough-willed character, who strives for a better life instead of relying on blind faith. Yet, Jane’s belief in God to guide her makes sense within her journey.

Overall, “Jane Eyre” is a novel worth revisiting for its rich themes and character depth, even if the romance aspect isn’t my preferred genre.

Perhaps the greatest downfall of my education was not having read Jane Eyre in school.
Usually when I love a book I speed through it, unable to put it down, but with Jane Eyre, I wanted to savor every word, every page, every second of it. You only get to read Jane Eyre for the first time once. It might be the only book that when I finished it, I immediately wanted to start it over again. 
This is the perfect novel.
 From top to bottom, it is engaging, interesting, progressive, and exciting!
The entire story is absolutely brilliant in its discussion of agency, class, gender, and place. Jane is an extremely complicated, well-developed character whose life is both tragic and incredible. Every person should be inspired by her tenacity, her strength of conviction, and her willingness to fight for herself.
I somehow managed to avoid knowing anything about the plot before reading, and if you're able to live under the same rock I did, it's totally worth it! There are so many twists!! Books just aren't like this anymore. The way the twists happen are completely masterful and have the payoff you crave in a good story. It's unexpected without being overdone or ridiculous. 

A lot slower than I prefer but overall a beautiful and emotionally challenging (in a good way) book. Jane Eyre was such a loveable character. She deserved better, but she convinced me to feel happy for her by the end.

The prose is magical and extremely quotable, the story telling is brilliant with it's constant plot twists and developed characters. There are also some beautiful messages about sticking by your principles despite even the hardest of trials, I found Jane's character extremely strong for that, and she's not yet 20! 
If it were for that I'd give it 5 stars, however the 2nd half is heavily racist, ableist, xenophobic, and classist. Themes of colonialism and religious missions, institutionalisation, grooming (Jane is sadly very much groomed by the men in her life), etc. There is no condemnation of any of this, no revolt against bigotry in the narrative. Therefore, I can't give it a pass for being "of its time", as there are many classics which either resist against or refuse to entertain such bigotry.