Jane Eyre

1
Jane Eyre

• And the Life of the Bronte Sisters

2
The Bronte Sisters Literary Career

• 1845 --Charlotte came by accident upon a number
  of poems that Emily had written.
• 1846 The 3 sisters published their poems, at
  their own expense, as poems, by Crurrer, Ellis
  and Acton Bell. (Only 2 copies of the poems were
  sold.)
• 1847 -- Annes novel Agnes Grey Emilys
  Wuthering Heights were both accepted for
  publication, while Charlottes first novel The
  Professor was rejected by one publisher after
  another. Jane Eyre, was published in October.
  It was immediately very popular, outselling
  Wuthering Heights .

3
The Bronte Sisters

• Marias and Elizabethers deaths in the Clergy
  Daughters School
• publication of Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre
  in 1847
• Sept. 1848-- Barnwell died. (? John Reed)
• Dec. 1848 -- Emily died.
• May 1849 Ann, too, died. Charlotte, as a
  novelist of several books, became acquainted with
  Mrs. Gaskell William Thackeray.
• 1855-- Charlotte died in childbirth.
• The Bronte Sisters Literary Aspiration in their
  lonely and drab lives.
• 432the painting, and Emily and Ann out in
  nature (rose vs. holy bush)
• 1400letter from Southey
• 110 Emilys poems ? 116 publication of their
  novels
• 138 illness and death of Emily
• 150 Charlotte at the concert hall

4
Major Questions re. Jane Eyre

• Jane Eyres Quest what does she desire? How
  does she quest for what she desires? Is she in
  any way compromised?
• Passion and Conscience How does she deal with
  her passion?
• Religion and Charity Do they support or obstruct
  Janes quest?
• Society and Class Differences how are social
  identities (e.g. The Reeds, Bessie, Helen Burns,
  etc.) and social problems (Lowood) presented?
• Jane Eyre the narrator how does she position
  herself between Jane the character and the
  reader?
• Is the novel feminist?

5
Note A True Lady is

• Jane women should not be confined 'to making
  pudding and knitting stockings, to playing on the
  piano and embroidering bags (XII)
• a true lady is . . . sweet and delicate and
  refined. . . her sphere is to cheer, to refine,
  to beautify, to bless. The opportunities and
  influence she may acquire (by behaving thus), she
  may turn to the noblest and holiest purposes.
• ---- Hints on Etiquette (1843) Charles William
  Day

6
Next Week

• Chaps I X (Janes life in Gateshead and Lowood)