Jane Eyre (2)

Plot introduction

Jane Eyre is a first - person narrative of the title character . The novel goes through five distinct stages: Jane's childhood at Gateshead, where she is emotionally abused by her aunt and cousins; her education at Lowood School, where she acquires friends and role models but also suffers privations; her time as the governess of Thornfield Manor , where she falls in love with her Byronic employer, Edward Rochester ; her time with the Rivers family at Marsh 's End (or Moor House) and Morton , where her cold clergyman-cousin St John Rivers proposes to her; and her reunion with and marriage to her beloved Rochester. Partly autobiographical, the novel abounds with social criticism. It is a novel considered ahead of its time. In spite of the dark , brooding elements , it has a strong sense of right and wrong , of morality at its core . There are several Christian aspects underlying the plot that mold its character and essence .
Jane Eyre is divided into 38 chapters ; most editions are at least 400 pages long ( although the preface and introduction on certain copies are liable to take up another 100). The original was published in three volumes, comprising chapters 1 to 15, 16 to 26, and 27 to 38.
Brontë dedicated the novel's second edition to William Makepeace Thackeray.

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