Victorian Fiction
Charlotte Brontë
Charlotte Brontë was born in England in 1816. Her mother and two older sisters passed away when Brontë was very young. She also had a younger brother known as Branwell and two sisters named Emily and Anne. Brontë was largely educated at home, but she also attended Roe Head School and later became a teacher there. She also held several positions as a governess to elite families. Brontë
disliked working as a governess, so she decided to open a school for girls along with her sisters. They studied in Brussels to further their teaching qualifications, but their girl's school failed to attract a single pupil.
Brontë's professional literary career began when the three sisters published a volume of poetry in 1846 under the pen names of
Currer (Charlotte), Ellis (Emily), and Acton (Anne) Bell. Disguising their gender with their assumed pseudonyms, the sisters began writing novels and sought publication of them. In 1847, Brontë published her most famous novel, Jane Eyre, a groundbreaking work that presented first-person narration from a female perspective. The book was an instant success and garnered much praise in its reviews. However, as speculation over the real identity of the author increased, so too did negative criticism of the novel. Despite the critical backlash, sales of Jane Eyre not only remained strong but actually increased.
In 1848, tragedy struck deeply in Brontë's life. Within the span of eight months, she lost Branwell, Emily, and Anne to illness. Once she was able to write again, she completed and published another novel called Shirley. She also revealed her true identity and became acquainted with literary circles in London. In 1853, she published a third novel called Villette. Around this time, she received a marriage proposal from Arthur Bell Nichols. Although her aging father initially disapproved, Brontë gradually grew fond of him and the couple married in 1854. Soon the couple began expecting a child, but Brontë's health declined rapidly during her pregnancy. In March of 1855, Brontë died with her unborn baby at the age of thirty-eight. Her first written novel, The Professor, was published posthumously in 1857.
Read the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. As a female orphan with no family support or connections to the privileged class, the protagonist named Jane faces grim hope for happiness and security. British women during the 19th century had limited opportunites for education and employment. Their best option for financial stability was to marry men who could support their needs. The story of Jane Eyre is about one woman's rejection of social conventions and her insistence on leading a fulfilling life on her own terms. As you read the novel, think about how it comments on British society, especially regarding the roles and rights of women.
Jane Eyre Across Genres
When Charlotte Brontë published her novel Jane Eyre in 1847, she blended earlier literary traditions with groundbreaking social commentary. The resulting complex story continues to intrigue modern readers as a novel that extends across numerous genres. In this interactivity, click each of the tabs to explore how Jane Eyre exemplifies various novel genres, including coming of age, gothic, feminist, and autobiography. Click the player button to begin.
View a printable version of the interactivity.
Jane Eyre Review
Now that you have explored Charlotte Brontë's novel Jane Eyre, it is time to review your knowledge and practice what you have learned. In this non-graded activity, read the set of directions associated with each question and provide your answer. Click the player button to get started.