Jane Eyre is Charlotte Bronte's most famous book and one of the most celebrated, controversial and loved novels ever written. Millions who have never read it know about the mysterious Mr Rochester, the mad wife he kept locked up in his attic, and the image of her throwing herself from the battlements of Thornfield as she burned it to the ground, Mr Rochester blinding and maiming himself as he tries to save her. The novel is the story of an orphaned and plain girl, Jane Eyre, who despite the disadvantages of her start in life, is determined to find independence and fulfillment. Bronte explores issues of female equality and what kind of power balance is needed to have a successful marriage. The book was an instant success, and, once her identity had been revealed, Charlotte became famous and comfortably off; but she was never very comfortable in the fashionable literary salons of London, preferring to live most of her life in the Parsonage at Haworth in Yorkshire where her father was the curate. What does the book say about the professional and emotional prospects for a strong minded, intelligent woman in Victorian England? Why does Jane refuse Rochester's offer of living with him as her mistress in the south of France? Are the coincidences in the story clumsy plot devices or indications of the divine work of God's providence? Is the book racist in its treatment of Rochester's first wife? Why does Jane learn Hindustanee? And do Jane and Rochester really end up with the perfect marriage? Join Rupert and Charlie as they discuss this most wonderful of C19th novels.
