Jane Eyre Summer reading study guide

Jane Eyre

title character who walks us through her life story, she is an orphan (parents died when infant ) she is ten at the start of the novel, she enjoys sharing with others, she is a teacher/tutor

Helen Burns

Jane’s best friend at Lowood who become ill with tuberculosis and passes away, she was content with dying because she was looking forward to a joy and pain-free life after death. Held was very young when she died, and was pretty much Jane’s only friend

Bertha Rochester

Mr. Rochester wife. She was believed to be insane and was kept hidden in he attic at Thornfield 

Diana Rivers 

Jane’s cousin who is very kind and compassionate. Her and Jane are very close and she is like a sister to her 

Miss Temple

Head teacher at Lowood, one of the only teachers in the school who looks out for the young girls. She is the one to tell Jane that she i cleared of any accusations by Mr. Brocklehurst over tea

Mrs. Fairfax

housekeeper at Thornfield

Eliza Reed

Jane’s cousin who is cruel to her and she is a religious fanatic

Mrs. Reed

Jane’s aunt (her mothers brothers wife) who is cruel to Jane. She dislikes Jane because of how Mr. Reed (her husband) treats her when she is orphaned. She is jealous of his kindness to her. She is he one who tells Jane’s uncle that Jane is dead

Mr. Reed

Jane’s uncle, he takes her in after her parents die and truly cares for her

Adele Varens

Mr. Rochester’s ward

Blanch Ingram

Young woman who wants to marry Rochester, ore so for his money and status, constantly flirting with him and tries to win him over. She becomes upset when a local gypsy tells her that Mr. Rochester is not wealthy- it is all for show 

Mr. Mason

Bertha’s brother- he visits her often, attacked by her during one of his visits. Mr. Rochester fears him because of his treatment of Bertha

Grace Poole

A seamstress at Thornfield. Jane is led to believe that it is her laughter that she hears within the halls of Thornfield. She is secretly the nursemaid of Bertha Rochester

Mr. Brocklehurst 

headmaster at Lowood, believes that young girls should lean how ot be quiet and humble. Often mistreats the young girls and i considered to be a hypocrite 

Mr. Rochester

owner of Thornfield, hid his wife Bertha up in the attic. Falls in love with Jane Eyre and often refers to her as an elf. he went blind by the end of the novel. He does regain sight in one eye and is able to see his son at his birth

What form is this novel written in?

Autobiography and a Gothic Romance

What happens between Jane and John at the start of the novel? 

John Reed(Jane’s cousin) does not treat Jane well, and they fight constantly, he hits Jane when he is angry and Jane is blamed for the fight and punished by being put in a locked room. 

What happens to Jane Eyre at the beginning of the novel?

Jane’s parents die form typhus(fever epidemic) when she was very young and sent to live with the Reeds family- her mothers brother

What is Lowood?

The school Jane attends as an orphan

Describe Jane’s time at Lowood

It is an unpleasant nd difficult time for Jane. Mr. Brocklehurst is cruel and often humiliates the students- particularly the young girls who show independence and an unconventional spirituality. Jane spends eight ears total there: six as a student and two as a teacher 

Describe Jane’s encounters with Mr. Rochester?

 First met him when he feel off of his hose and accused Jane of bewitching it. He appreciates Jane’s honesty and sincere demeanor

How does Jane feel about Mr. Rochester?

When Jane meets Mr. Rochester for the first time, she instantly feels comfortable, she believes there are kinder end spirits . 

Describe Mr. Rochesters Character

He does not have a very innocent past, is often brooding but also intelligent and witty

Wha happens to Mrs. reed? 

She is dying 

What does Mrs. Reed give Jane?

A letter from her uncle, John Eyre, saying he wishes to adopt Jane and leave her his fortune

Why can’t Jane marry Mr. Rochester?

Jane finds out that RochesterMr has a wife who is still alive and by marrying Jane he would knowingly be taking a second wife. 

What does Jane do after the ceremony is broken up?

Jane returns to her room and falls asleep, once she is awake, Rochester offers to move to France with Jane and live together as husband and wife. Jane refuses to be his mistress, forgives Rochester and leaves Thornfield the next morning. She uses all of her money  to ride in a coach away from Thornfield 

Who is St.John River?

Jane Eyres cousin and a missionary for the church

Why does St. John Rivers want to marry Jane?

He believes that she will make a good missionary wife

When Jane returns back to the Rochester home, what happens?

A fire breaks out at Thornfield, Rochester saved the servants and Bertha- but she has jumped from the roof. Rochester is now blind and lost one of his hands in the fire

T/F: Jane Eyre’s Parents die when she is 10 years old

false 

T/F: Helen dies during and epidemic of fever

false

T/F: The mistress of the school Miss Temple is a beloved teacher

true

T/F: John Rivers wants Jane to learn Hindustani

True

T/F: John Rivers goes to India a a missionary 

True 

T/F: Jane uses the name Jane Ellison after leaving he Rochester home

False

T/F: Edwards first wife is Blanche Ingram

False