Keyword Guide · book-summary

Jane Eyre: Plot Summary and Literary Analysis

Jane Eyre is a foundational Victorian novel that explores themes of social class, morality, and independence through the eyes of its resilient protagonist. This guide breaks down the narrative into its essential stages to help you prepare for class discussions, quizzes, and literary analysis.

Get Readi.AI (iOS) Open App Redirect

jane eyre plot summary study illustration

Early Life at Gateshead and Lowood

The novel begins at Gateshead Hall, where the orphaned Jane Eyre is mistreated by her aunt, Mrs. Reed, and her cousins. After a traumatic experience in the 'Red Room,' Jane is sent to Lowood Institution, a strict and impoverished school for orphans. Despite the harsh conditions and the tragic loss of her close friend Helen Burns, Jane spends eight years at Lowood—six as a student and two as a teacher—gaining the education and discipline that shape her identity.

Governance at Thornfield Hall

Seeking a change, Jane accepts a position as a governess at Thornfield Hall, teaching a young French girl named Adèle Varens. There, she meets the brooding and mysterious master of the house, Edward Rochester. As Jane and Rochester grow closer, their relationship is marked by strange occurrences, including unexplained laughter and a fire in Rochester's room. Despite their social differences, Rochester eventually proposes to Jane, and she joyfully accepts.

The Secret of the Attic and Flight

The wedding is dramatically interrupted when it is revealed that Rochester is already married. His wife, Bertha Mason, suffers from severe mental illness and has been kept hidden in the attic for years. Devastated and refusing to live as Rochester's mistress, Jane flees Thornfield with little more than the clothes on her back. She is eventually taken in by the Rivers siblings at Moor House, where she discovers she has inherited a fortune and that the Rivers are actually her cousins.

Return and Resolution

After declining a marriage proposal from St. John Rivers, who wants her to join him as a missionary in India, Jane feels a supernatural pull toward Rochester. She returns to Thornfield to find it burned to the ground; Bertha died in the fire, and Rochester lost his sight and a hand while trying to save his household. Jane finds him at Ferndean, where they reconcile and marry, finally finding the equal partnership she long desired.

What is the climax of Jane Eyre?

The climax occurs when the wedding of Jane and Rochester is interrupted by the revelation that Rochester’s first wife, Bertha Mason, is still alive and living in the attic of Thornfield Hall.

Why does Jane Eyre leave Rochester after the secret is revealed?

Jane leaves because she values her moral integrity and self-respect. She refuses to enter into an illegal and immoral relationship that would compromise her principles, even though she still loves him.

What does the ending of the novel signify?

The ending signifies Jane’s achievement of independence and equality. Having gained her own wealth and family, she returns to Rochester as his social and financial equal, allowing them to have a balanced marriage.

Continue in App

Master Jane Eyre with Readi.AI

Struggling to keep track of the complex characters and gothic themes in Jane Eyre? Download Readi.AI on the App Store to get personalized study aids, chapter summaries, and essay-planning tools designed specifically for students. Search for Readi.AI (id6758831794) and ace your next literature assignment today.

Download on App Store Explore Features