Jane Eyre: an Autobiography

Jane Eyre is a young orphan being raised by Mrs. Reed her cruel wealthy aunt. A servant named Bessie provides Jane with some of the few kindnesses she receives telling her stories and singing songs to her. One day as punishment for fighting with her bullying cousin John Reed Janes aunt imprisons Jane in the red-room the room in which Janes Uncle Reed died. While locked in Jane believing that she sees her uncles ghost screams and faints. She wakes to find herself in the care of Bessie and the kindly apothecary Mr. Lloyd who suggests to Mrs. Reed that Jane be sent away to school. To Janes delight Mrs. Reed concurs. Once at the Lowood School Jane finds that her life is far from idyllic. The schools headmaster is Mr. Brocklehurst a cruel hypocritical and abusive man. Brocklehurst preaches a doctrine of poverty and privation to his students while using the schools funds to provide a wealthy and opulent lifestyle for his own family. At Lowood Jane befriends a young girl named Helen Burns whose strong martyrlike attitude toward the schools miseries is both helpful and displeasing to Jane. A massive typhus epidemic sweeps Lowood and Helen dies of consumption. The epidemic also results in the departure of Mr. Brocklehurst by attracting attention to the insalubrious conditions at Lowood. After a group of more sympathetic gentlemen takes Brocklehursts place Janes life improves dramatically. She spends eight more years at Lowood six as a student and two as a teacher. After teaching for two years Jane yearns for new experiences. She accepts a governess position at a manor called Thornfield where she teaches a lively French girl named Adèle.