Jane Eyre Chapter by Chapter Summaries

Since Leslie's doing vocab, I feel like I should do something too, so I'll be summarizing each chapter as I read it.

I know Sparknotes does the exact same thing but I'm going to try to be a little more useful.

Format will look something like this:

Chapter Number

Synopsis

Characters involved

Key Events

Chapter 1

The first chapter starts in media res, with the reader having to guess what is going on themselves. The reminiscence of Mrs Reed lecturing the main character addresses the protagonist as "Jane", so that is how the reader first finds out that the book is named after the protagonist, Jane Eyre.

Jane is at first thankful that it is raining outside, because it eliminates any chance of her being forced to go on a walk, and thus not having to be insulted by the other children (Eliza, John, and Georgiana, the Reed children). This tells us that she has a strained relationship at best with the people she lives with. In addition, she constantly refers to the children by their last names throughout the chapter, giving us the indication that she is not part of the family, albeit having to do the same things as the children. She also speaks of Mrs Reed as "[the children's] mama" and not her mama. All these together contribute to the idea that Jane is a foster child.

Jane tells the reader in parentheses that the Reed children are "for the time neither quarreling nor crying", telling us that she either has a bad image of them or they are spoiled, maybe both. She is not allowed to spend time with the family because Bessie, the nurse, has told Mrs Reed that Jane has been misbehaving, but what the nurse told Mrs Reed is unknown. Jane's questioning of this does lead to Mrs Reed telling her to "remain silent", leading to her withdrawal to a window-seat (think a windowsill with curtains that can hide the people sitting inside). She proceeds to draw the drapes and lose herself in a world of symbolism. The red moreen curtains protect her from the abusive household and the clear panes of glass give her a clear view of the outside world and escape from her foster family. She proceeds to read Bewick's History of British Birds. Jane shares with the reader her distaste for the lettering of the book, showing both her immaturity and her eye for detail (perceptiveness).

Jane tells the reader about the fantastical descriptions in the book, including the introduction that she tells the reader she couldn't skip (come on, everybody skips those longass introductions). She also describes in vivid detail all the settings and the sea. This entire part is escapism, in this case a redoubt from the life she lives in to a world of vivid settings, majestic landscapes, and the ocean.

Symbolically speaking, this speaks volumes about Jane. First of all, she is reading a book about birds, who are free to roam and fly wherever they want while she is not. Second, she is reading about far-off landscapes and the sea, both of which are associated with travel and escape from the Reed household. Finally, they display Charlotte Bronte's love of description.

Jane also skips over the images of fiends and thievery, as well as a black demon-like figure watching people hang each other, telling the readers that she is scared of scary things, conveying her innocence.

This also brings out the one happy description of the Reed household in this chapter. Her retirement is interrupted by John Reed calling out to the two Reed sisters looking for Jane. He accidentally calls Jane "Joan", showing how little he cares about the foster child living with his family. She gives a loatheful description of John while he is confronting her. He proceeds to bully her and hit her a couple of times, before telling Jane she is not to read the books (and not to escape from her sad life) and throwing the book at her, causing her to insult John with her intellect and then fight back as he pulls her hear. The servants pull her off and side against her while Mrs Reed gives the order to lock her in the red-room.

Screw characters involved., it's Jane, Bessie and nameless Servants, Mrs Reed, and the three Reed kids. Also Bewick in the form of his book.

-Jane is introduced, as well as the rest of the Reed household
-Jane goes into major escapism
-Jane shows off her prideful side and fights back against John Reed's bullying

you started reading? t_T

You didn't? t_T

no? t_T

You should? t_T