Charlotte Brtone's Jane Eyre
This book was first published under the name Currer Bell. A lot of critics at that time, (19th century), thought that this Currer Bell character was a man, and they gave the book a lot of praise. When they eventually learned that the writer was Charlotte Bronte, a woman, they took back all the nice stuff they said. They claimed that it was unladylike to write about a female character in such a way. They were talking about the character Jane, and the way that she is so independent and strong-willed. The character of Charlotte Bronte's second novel, JANE EYRE, was advertised from the outset by its subtitle, "An Autobiography," and was received as such by its first critics. Blackwood's reviewer (October 1848) said that it was "a pathetic tale, so like the truth that it is difficult to avoid believing that many of the characters and incidents are take from life." G.H. Lewes found the same thing: "Reality--deep significant reality, is the characteristic of this book . . .. "
Jane Eyre: Obviously the main character since the book is named after her. She is an orphan who struggles to find her place in the world, and a family that she can be a part of. The book follows her life.
Edward Rochester: Master at Thornfield Hall. He is sort of mysterious and odd. Jane and he have this bizarre kind of attraction to one another, written in role of old sex villain sympathetic
Miss. Temple: She is the superintendent and teacher at Lowood. She has compassion for Jane and tries to help her out. She teaches Jane how to control her temper and become more patient.
Jane Eyre is this little girl about six years old when the book starts. She is living with the Reed's at Gateshead Hall and she hates it there. The Reed's are really mean to her and she thinks they are horrible. The feeling is mutual and so Mrs. Reed sends Jane to this low budget orphan school called Lowood Institution.
Mr. Brocklehurst runs Lowood and he does not waste one penny on anything for the girls that live there. They are basically starving because they aren't allowed to eat much food, and it is freezing all the time because he won't spend the money for heat. Jane learns to adjust there and makes friends with Helen and Miss. Temple.