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Jane Eyre: context
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Jane Eyre was published in 1847. Charlotte Bronte drew on her own life to write a bold novel about a woman's inner life.
Charlotte Bronte
Bronte grew up in Haworth, Yorkshire, the daughter of a clergyman.
She and her sisters attended a harsh school at Cowan Bridge, which inspired Lowood. Her two eldest sisters became ill there and died.
She worked as a teacher and governess. She published Jane Eyre under the male pen name Currer Bell.
She and her sisters attended a harsh school at Cowan Bridge, which inspired Lowood. Her two eldest sisters became ill there and died.
She worked as a teacher and governess. She published Jane Eyre under the male pen name Currer Bell.
Women in Victorian England
Middle-class women had few careers open to them; being a governess was one.
A married woman's property legally belonged to her husband.
Women were expected to be modest and obedient, so Jane's passionate voice surprised many readers.
A married woman's property legally belonged to her husband.
Women were expected to be modest and obedient, so Jane's passionate voice surprised many readers.
Form
The novel is a bildungsroman (coming-of-age story) told in the first person by an older Jane.
Its subtitle was *An Autobiography*, which makes it feel personal and honest.
Its subtitle was *An Autobiography*, which makes it feel personal and honest.
Why did Bronte use the name Currer Bell?
- Women writers were often judged harshly or not taken seriously.
- A name that could pass as male avoided prejudice.
- This links to the novel's themes of women's equality.
Answer: To avoid prejudice against women writers.
Published 1847 as Currer Bell; Lowood based on Cowan Bridge; Bronte was a governess; Victorian women had few rights or careers; a first-person bildungsroman subtitled An Autobiography.
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