Just a few helpful guidelines from someone who has read Jane Eyre many times:
First, a note regarding the reason why Jane would not stay with Mr. Rochester after she found out he was married (because I don't agree with the reason the "Themes" section of the site gives). It's easy to miss because Bronte most likely takes for granted that the reader would already understand the implications of Jane's religious views, so she only makes a few passing comments on the matter. The decision Jane has to make is whether to sacrifice her integrity and intentionally step into something she knows is wrong and a sin or, alternatively, to follow the guidance of God and her own conscience. This situation makes an interesting contrast to the Jane's dilemma later on in her relationship with St. John.
Something that is important to take into consideration when reading Jane Eyre is that Bronte's emphasis is not so much on the events themselves, but rather the thoughts and internal conflicts of Jane and her development of an indentity and a sense of independence throughout the book. (The same is true of Bronte's book Villete, which shares many common themes with Jane Eyre.) This means that in order to fully understand the book Jane Eyre, you must be willing to examine the concepts of religion, identity, integrity, and prejudice that it addresses. As you read Jane Eyre, keep in mind that there is more to the book than just the story.
First, a note regarding the reason why Jane would not stay with Mr. Rochester after she found out he was married (because I don't agree with the reason the "Themes" section of the site gives). It's easy to miss because Bronte most likely takes for granted that the reader would already understand the implications of Jane's religious views, so she only makes a few passing comments on the matter. The decision Jane has to make is whether to sacrifice her integrity and intentionally step into something she knows is wrong and a sin or, alternatively, to follow the guidance of God and her own conscience. This situation makes an interesting contrast to the Jane's dilemma later on in her relationship with St. John.
Something that is important to take into consideration when reading Jane Eyre is that Bronte's emphasis is not so much on the events themselves, but rather the thoughts and internal conflicts of Jane and her development of an indentity and a sense of independence throughout the book. (The same is true of Bronte's book Villete, which shares many common themes with Jane Eyre.) This means that in order to fully understand the book Jane Eyre, you must be willing to examine the concepts of religion, identity, integrity, and prejudice that it addresses. As you read Jane Eyre, keep in mind that there is more to the book than just the story.
