Jane Eyre

Charlotte Brontë, first published 1847

A woman is hired by the mysterious master of Thornfield Hall as a governess for his young ward.

Length: 38 chapters
Reading time: About 12 hr 54 min
Words: 184,201

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About the book

Jane Eyre experienced abuse at a young age, not only from her aunt—who raised her after both her parents died—but also from the headmaster of Lowood Institution, where she is sent away to. After ten years of living and teaching at Lowood Jane decides she is ready to see more of the world and takes a position as a governess at Thornfield Hall. Jane later meets the mysterious master of Thornfield Hall, Mr. Rochester, and becomes drawn to him.

Charlotte Brontë published Jane Eyre: An Autobiography on October 16th 1847 using the pen name “Currer Bell.” The novel is known for revolutionizing prose fiction, and is considered to be ahead of its time because of how it deals with topics of class, religion, and feminism.

On these lists

GCSE set texts Victorian novels Gothic and ghostly

This edition

Text from Standard Ebooks, who proofread and typeset it and dedicate their edition to the public domain. Charlotte Brontë died more than 70 years ago, so the work is out of copyright in the UK. Includes the original preface, note to the third edition.