A review on " Jane Eyre"

The novel, JANE EYRE, written by Charlotte Bronte is a gothic romance, set in eighteenth century Britain. The book, considered to be the masterpiece of the author, is a prominent work of literature, and is still one of the most widely-read books of all times.

The novel depicts the struggle of an orphan girl, Jane Eyre. But more than that, it celebrates the identity, self-respect and integrity of a women belonging to an era, when a women’s role was confined to breeding and looking after the household.

The plot is a wonderfully created timeless work of fiction, which can hold true for almost any period of time. The different places, with which the protagonist connects, throughout the different phases of her life, are in harmony with the evolution of her character. Her journey from Aunt Reed’s house to Lowood School and then from school to Thornsfield Hall encompasses all the facets of a strong-willed woman.

Apart from Jane, the second most important character is that of Mr. Rochester, represented as the object of Jane’s love and her simple desires of life. The character of Bertha, the first wife of Mr. Rochester and a lunatic, is shown in contrast to the character of Jane. Also Bertha’s character signifies the fear associated with the feelings of insecurity as experienced by Jane who has always led a lonely life.

The description of the scenes, surroundings, situations and characters is vivid. The author also uses surreal imagery to depict the future course of events. The author holds back the mystery of the inhabitant of the third floor of Thornsfield Hall, which surfaces only on the brink of Jane’s wedding to Mr. Rochester. The truth, which so shatters Jane’s hope and accentuates her sense of insecurity, results in her renouncement of marriage and her exit from Mr. Rochester’s life.

The end, after the dreadful fate of Thornsfield Hall, leads to the tragic end of Bertha and the return of Jane to her beloved. The beauty of the novel lies in its subtle display of human emotions and temperaments. The author succeeds in gripping the attention of the reader throughout the novel.

The book is an intelligently written work, hard to put down. It has the ability to enchant the reader into reading it all over again and savoring it to the last word.