JANE EYRE BOOK REVIEW | MARCH 2017

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

As the depiction of a bildungsroman, this novel follows the life of Jane Eyre, from her miserable, early childhood, to the happy, independent young woman. As a teenager myself, this novel enhances the journey of growing up, and knowing yourself, in terms of morals, and what  you want to achieve. From the very start of this novel, Jane has high aspirations for herself, from getting away from this abusive home, that she lives with her 'so called' family, to becoming a governess, and getting the experience and confidence to became independent, and leave her comfortable life at Lowood. 

Bronte explores specific themes in the novel, for example throughout the novel, it is evidently clear that Jane longs to have a family that she can be truly happy and reliant on, but in some ways Jane learns that you may not need blood family to be content, whilst she's at Thornfield Hall, Bronte shows that her character is happy with her situation, even though there is a mysterious woman that attacks at any minute, she is obviously content with her friendship with Mr Rochester, and Mrs Fairfax, and her admiration to little Adele. Bronte explores the social context of that era, as marriage is always the absolute thing that has to be done between man and woman, but the process gets interrupted, which makes the novel even more unique. In some ways, Bronte focuses on her independence, rather than fitting in to the conformity of society, and what is traditional, like getting married. 

The novel itself shocks readers, to find the beloved Mr Rochester already has a wife, at that time it would be seen as strange and shocking, but for me Rochester was always a very mysterious character, with countless lovers from other countries, evidence of this by the little girl, Adele. I expected the story to finish there, but that was then the underlying themes entered the story, but still Bronte made Jane even more of a independent figure. The main theme of this novel is quite obviously romance, but the underlying themes that make the novel more interesting and influential to readers and writers today. 

Even though Jane obviously loves Mr Rochester, Bronte makes her character so unique as to do what's best for her, whilst still caring for the feelings of others, she is very head strong, which is what I admire about her character. In my opinion, Bronte shows Jane as having the mysterious uniqueness of being independent, and walking away from what isn't right for her, but to my dismay she goes back to him, after a devastating fire has left him blind. The novel itself is compelling from the beginning, the middle seems a little slow to get in to, through different characters arriving, which didn't make much sense to the plot, but at the end Bronte uses this to give an unique ending, and the plot is detailed to the point, the audience is surprised as to what happens next. 

Throughout this novel there are apparent themes that connects with the time period, but Bronte uses themes that are different from what is expected, 'an independent woman', with her own thoughts, probably thought foreign in a very patriarchal society. This novel, from a female perspective, is influential in the path of independence, and how it moulds you in to a person like Jane Eyre, hopefully minus the arrogant, demanding, controlling Mr Rochester.