Jane Eyre: An Autobiography

by Brontë, Charlotte

Collection

Project Gutenberg

Project Gutenberg Release

Project Gutenberg ID

1260

Reading Ease

Reading ease score: 77.4 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.

Rights: Public domain in the USA.

Summary

"Jane Eyre: An Autobiography" by Charlotte Brontë is a novel written in the early 19th century, specifically during the Victorian era. The story centers around Jane Eyre, an orphaned girl who faces hardship and oppression while growing up in the unkind household of her aunt, Mrs. Reed. The narrative unfolds her struggles against social class constraints and personal adversities as she searches for love, belonging, and independence. The opening of the novel introduces us to Jane Eyre's bleak existence at Gateshead Hall, where she lives with her aunt and cousins. As a child, Jane is mistreated by her relatives, particularly her cousin John Reed, who bullies her relentlessly. Following a confrontation with John, Jane is punished by being locked in the "red-room," a place associated with fear and isolation, which deepens her feelings of alienation and resentment. This initial section sets the tone for Jane's journey as it highlights her passionate spirit and desire for justice, laying the groundwork for her development and the challenges she will face in her quest for a place where she truly belongs. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Metadata

language_code

en

bookshelf

Category: Classics of Literature
Category: British Literature
Category: Novels
Category: Romance

locc_code

PR

subject

Young women -- Fiction
Orphans -- Fiction
Love stories
England -- Fiction
Bildungsromans
Married people -- Fiction
Fathers and daughters -- Fiction
Country homes -- Fiction
Governesses -- Fiction
Mentally ill women -- Fiction
Charity-schools -- Fiction