Charlotte Bronte wrote several semi popular novels in her writing career. But just one, Jane Eyre, became very popular very quickly, and one might call it an overnight classic. (Bronte, Charlotte, pg. 1). Jane Eyre is the story of a poor orphan girl, and her headstrong quest for fulfillment and love in life. (Charlotte Bronte, Library. Pg.10). Charlotte Bronte uses several elements of writing in her novel such as theme, autobiographical elements, and imagery.
Charlotte Bronte was born in Thornton, Yorkshire in 1816, the third child of six. When she was just a young child she was sent to a boarding school for clergymen's daughters called Cowan's Bridge. (Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre, Enc.Am. pg.599). There, she suffered terrible treatment. She was taken out of the school soon after her two older sisters died most likely because of the terrible conditions at the school. After some additional schooling, Charlotte was a governess for about 10 years. She didn't like being a governess, so she and her sister, Emily, decided to set up their own school. Charlotte and her sisters published a book of poems but the volume wasn't very well liked, and it didn't sell many copies. After one failed attempt at a novel Bronte wrote the instantly successful novel Jane Eyre. Bronte wrote a number of novels and a couple of poetry books in her lifetime. Some of the novels published include The Professor, Jane Eyre, Shirley, and Villette. Later, she was married to Arthur Nicholls, a professor, the 29th of June in 1854. After a mere year of marriage, Charlotte Bronte died in pregnancy in 1855 when she was just 39 years old. (Bronte, Charlotte, pg. 1).
The story of Jane in Jane Eyre is one of a poor orphan girl. Jane lived with her Aunt, Mrs. Reed, who was unkind to Jane. When Jane was about ten years of age Mrs. Reed sent her to Lowood School. Jane meets two friends at Lowood, Mary Ann Wilson, and Helen Burns. Helen influences Jane's spiritual beliefs, and Jane's views on certain ideas.