In Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte explores the life of an orphaned girl in Victorian England. At the beginning of the novel, the reader is introduced to ten-year-old Jane Eyre who lives with her cruel Aunt Reed at Gateshead. Jane is ill treated and abused by Mrs. Reed who locks her up in the red room and traumatises her. Jane is sent away to the Lowood school which is run by the hypocritical clergyman named Mr. Brocklehurst. She spends eight years at Lowood school as pupil and teacher, but decides to leave and find work as a governess. Jane secures employment as a governess to Adela Varens at Thornfield Hall which is the home of her future husband Edward Rochester.
Charlotte Bronte portrays Jane Eyre as a passionate, independent and strong woman. The novel explores the themes of love, forgiveness, gender relations and social hierarchy. Rochester atones for his sins and immorality before he marries Jane. The novel has Gothic elements as there are ghosts and supernatural events. It is a partly autobiographical novel.