'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte

 

Jane Eyre (1847) by Charlotte Bronte is a novel that made me physically weep, which rarely happens. It is a classic romance, that touches on themes of solitude, alienation, class and family.

The plot follows the life of poor little Jane who starts off living with her cruel Aunt Reed and spoilt cousins. She is mistreated and blamed for everything. She then goes to Lowood school, where conditions are even worse. It is cold, there is little food, and pupils die of TB. Her entire youth, Jane endures tough circumstances until she works at Thornfield where she meets the mysterious Mr. Rochester. He seems to understand Jane and her desires to be a free spirit, not caged by her sex. There is a clear connection between them. The pair form an attraction to one another but it seems that Mr. Rochester has dark secrets of his own and a past that he cannot seem to get rid of. 

What made me cry about this book were the beautiful lessons in it. Helen Burns', a sick girl from Lowood school, said words that spoke to my heart:

"If all the world hated you and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved you, and absolved you from guilt, you would not be without friends."

The novel raised some interesting questions about love, freedom and money. It also had wonderfully vivid imagery and a Gothic element to it. Reading this, one can almost see the cold, dark hallways of Thornfield and hear the disturbing laughs of Mr. Rochester's secret. This was the first time I'd ever read something of Charlotte Bronte, and I was pleasantly surprised. Jane Eyre is a very relatable character and following her journey is bound to empower any woman.