THEMES

Major Themes

The value of enduring love is the main theme of the novel. Jane Eyre falls in love with and plans to marry Edward Rochester, a man almost twice her age; she then finds out on her wedding day that he is already married. Crushed by the news, she flees from him. After a period of time, Jane realizes she is still concerned for Mr. Rochester and returns to Thornfield. She finds him blind and disfigured. Since his wife is now dead, Jane marries him and lovingly nurses him back to better health. Her love for him is pure and enduring, and with him she finds greater happiness than she has ever known.

Minor Themes

The importance of a woman's standing up for herself and her beliefs is a minor theme in the novel. Jane has to serve Mr. Rochester, who is a demanding employer; sometimes he is brutal and cruel. She deals with him quietly but firmly. In so doing, she positively influences Mr. Rochester to such a degree that he falls in love with her. Jane dreams of the excitement of a new life with Mr. Rochester, but on her wedding day, her dreams are shattered. She is forced to leave him, since he is married to another woman, but Jane still cares for him. She refuses St. John Rivers' marriage proposal because she does not love him. Instead, she waits until the obstacles are removed between herself and Mr. Rochester; she then marries him and lives a life of happiness. Because she is willing to stand up for her beliefs, Jane is rewarded in the end of the novel.

MOOD

For the most part, the mood of the novel is sad and depressing. Jane needs to rise above one hardship after another. Since the novel is related in the first person, everything is colored by Jane's gloomy point of view. Early in the novel, Jane shows a certain spunk, and the mood brightens accordingly. As the novel progresses and the hardships increase, the mood sometimes darkens to somberness and despair. Throughout the novel Jane gradually acquires mature confidence. At the end, Jane is triumphant in her quest for love and the mood, for the first time, is that of peace and contentment.

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