This was one of those classic books I avoided due to its length. I also didn’t think I particularly cared for Gothic literature. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized these were silly excuses. I’d read all of the Wheel of Time series and I really enjoyed Frankenstein. Plus, an online book club that I’d been wanting to participate in was doing this book, so, I jumped in. While this was my first time reading Jane Eyre, I was somewhat familiar with the general plot. I remember seeing a film version several years ago and I don’t remember particularly caring for it. But once I got to reading, I was reminded that these classic books are classics for a reason, and I also found this book to be much more of a breeze to read than I had expected. A first-person narration, Jane Eyre is a bildungsroman, a coming-of-age story, and yet it is much more than that. It is psychologically stirring, in some ways spiritually strengthening, and, dare I say, an engaging modern-day fairytale that has enlightened its readers from its first publication until today.

As I mentioned, this book was much more approachable than I had anticipated. The story was compelling and the prose much less antiquated than other contemporary pieces. Brontë’s writing is melodic and unhurried, and I can see how her poetic gifts played a role in her writing. I also enjoyed how much it was in the mind. Perhaps I value this more as an introvert, but the reflections felt natural and added to the story and character rather than took away from it. She tells things as they are rather than having a braided meaning, like in Dickens, or a hidden cleverness, like in Austen. I love those things in those writers, but it was nice to have such a significant contrast in Brontë’s work. While I was somewhat surprised by the pieces of literature that Jane was said to have read at a young age, I greatly appreciated the references to other works that Brontë scattered throughout the book. It really connected the book to the real world and made Jane feel like a more real character. You could read the things she read and consider them in a similar or different way from her. It was also a reminder to read more of the great books (like this one)!

Yet, as anyone even vaguely familiar with the book knows, this is not a happy story, not til the end, at least. Jane Eyre exposes the good and the bad of Victorian society, perhaps especially in the actions of those professing to be Christian and those who were truly walking as Christ commanded. There was such a stark contradiction between the simple faith of Jane’s friends at her boarding school with the false humility and oppressive character of those who ran it. There was also the steady, quiet faith of Mrs. Fairfax with the hedonism of Mr. Rochester, not to mention the bright love of Diana and Mary Rivers with the suppressed joy of their brother, St John. In all these experiences, most of which are tragic, Jane grows in humility and strength of character. She does not pity herself or consider herself less yet walks in simple faith that God will guide her. The most difficult part of the story to read is in the middle. The childhood story is tragic, but you sort of know that she’s going to make it through. But when you get to the pull of Mr. Rochester, you almost get swept into the romance though you know it’s still not right, not yet. (As a side note, I always look for the birds in books. Note here that a rook meets them at the church.) And Jane knows it too and protects herself. And in these things, I think I view this story differently than most. While there is a love story here and this is a coming-of-age book, Jane Eyre is a fairytale.

How might this be a fairytale? It has some classic elements. She is an orphan, left without a father or mother to be raised by something of an evil stepfamily. She is presented with circumstances to improve herself and must make a choice to either succumb to circumstance or stand up under adversity. These are trials that challenge not only her body but her spirit. It is not just surviving in one piece but making sure her morals, her character, stays intact. If she fails, it would be a cautionary tale. But she prevails, and in doing so, is given a great treasure as she grows in mind and spirit: to love and be loved in return, the thing she has always desired. So it is not just that the narrative is that of a fairytale but also the themes and morals. Jane has to prevail again and again against assaults on her body, mind, heart, and soul. She is trying to go the straight and narrow path and is harassed at every turn, including by those who should be there to protect or guide her. But she does prevail, though not without sorrow or difficulty, and gains that treasured happy ending.

If one were to read this book through a modernist lens, it might seem like a feminist book. But, I’m not sure that is entirely accurate. Perhaps in part, but Jane Eyre is feminist in a way that pushes back against the wrongs of Victorian society. But it is not feminist as Jane Eyre strives towards the good and beautiful and true. Jane longs for love and love from a man, but it must be good and true and beautiful. A love that she can fully give and love towards her body and soul and mind, fully who she is without compromise that she might return the same. This is one of the ways she grows stronger in her convictions while the man she loves changes. He loves her body and even her mind, but he has yet to love her soul. He has yet to have a true conversion and does after she leaves him. He must be shown that he would have destroyed the thing that he loves because he did not love it rightly. And in this way, this is not a feminist book, though it is a spiritual one. Jane’s strength is not one a moderist would recognize. It is a moral strength, one of character; her beauty is of the soul and mind, of a quiet spirit and steadfast faith. This is a book about seeking the good and the true, even at the cost of self. Jane’s life was one of trial, temptation, and resistance. She was brought low and built back up. But Rochester’s life was one of temptation, hedonism, and extravagance. It wasn’t until he was faced with the Law that he finally understood grace and love, the good and the true, and yes, even what is beautiful. Throughout the book, the lack of physical beauty in these two characters is pointed out time and time again. But it wasn’t Jane’s physical beauty that captured Rochester, or us. It was her heart and soul. And it wasn’t until she was taken from his sight physically and then having his sight taken from him that he could see the truth. While the Gospel isn’t thrown into your face, it is evident at the end of this book. We, the readers, see those true, good, and beautiful things we long for. Jane gets her fairytale ending, and Rochester who was “once blind, now can see.”

Jane Eyre is an invigorating and multifaceted book. I was not prepared for how much I would learn from and enjoy it! While it might not be my favorite, and I will always appreciate books like Pride and Prejudice as better love stories, I am still delighted by the modern fairytale I found in these pages. Charlotte Brontë is a writer of some beautiful prose that I was delighted to read. I hope you will be delighted as well.

Blessings to you and yours,

~Madelyn Rose Craig