Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Lea writes:

Jane Eyre starts off narrating the story as a young girl living with her aunt and her three cousins in Gateshead. She is treated horribly and unfairly by all in the household, especially her eldest cousin, John. He abuses her on a regular basis and it is just overlooked by her aunt, referred to at Miss Reed in the novel. Jane came to live with the Reeds soon after she was born, because her parents died. Her Uncle Reed took her in, but soon passed away. His last demand of Miss Reed was to “rear and maintain me [Jane] as one of her own children,” (20).
After a frightening encounter in the “red room,” where she believes that she sees her Uncle Reed’s ghost, she faints and finds herself in the care of Mr. Lloyd, the family’s apothecary. After discussing her home life with Mr. Lloyd, he suggests to Miss Reed that Jane be sent off to school. Jane also learns more information about her deceased mother, who was in face part of the rich Reed family, but was written out of her Grandfather’s will because he and the family disapproved of her husband. While waiting to be sent off to school, Jane receives harsher and crueler treatment from the Reed family. Finally arrangements are made for her to attend Lowood, an all girls school. While meeting with the school’s headmaster, Mr. Brocklehurst, Miss Reed falsely informs him that Jane has a habit of lying and a deceitful character. Once Jane confronts her about this, she states, “It was the hardest battle had I fought, and the first victory I had gained.” Before Jane leaves for school, Bessie, a servant in the household, confides that Jane is her favorite of the children.

In these first chapters, many characters are introduced to the reader. Some, like Miss Reed, John, and the rest of the children, are hostile and malicious towards Jane, while others like Mr. Lloyd, Uncle Reed and Bessie are sympathetic of Jane and try to help her. Since Jane is narrating the story, the reader gets the most information and insight on her character. In the beginning, she is essentially trapped in her unfair life, and sees school as her one way out. She is also progressively beginning to stand up for herself more, against both Miss Reed and John.