Abstract

Jane Eyre is the magnum opus of Charlotte Bronte - a famous female writer of Britain in the 19th century. This work describes the story of a girl, Jane Eyre, who unremittingly pursued freedom and adhered to herself in various difficulties, gained facility in the end. The character dared to resist and struggle for freedom and equal status. It is universally viewed as the portrait of the author. In other word, it is the autobiography of Charlotte. This essay mainly analyzes three main themes of the novel - independence and equality, viewpoints of marriage, atonement and forgiveness, and aims at finding its practical meaning in present times.

Key words: independence and equality, viewpoints of marriage, atonement and forgiveness, practical meaning

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

Ⅰ.Introduction.1

  1.1 Brief introduction of Charlotte Bronte.1

  1.2 Brief introduction of Jane Eyre..1

Ⅱ.Factors affecting the composition of Jane Eyre.2

  2.1 Historical background2

  2.2 Personal experience.3

Ⅲ.Main themes of Jane Eyre3

  3.1 Independence and equality.3

     3.1.1 Jane`s resistance in her aunt`s house..3

     3.1.2 Jane`s independence in Lowood..4 

     3.1.3 Jane`s pursuit of equality in Thornfield.4

  3.2 Viewpoints of marriage..5

     3.2.1 Mr. Rochester’s change on the viewpoint of marriage..5

     3.2.2 Jane`s viewpoint of marriage5

     3.2.3 St. John Levis`s viewpoint of marriage7

  3.3 Atonement and forgiveness7

     3.3.1 Jane`s suffering from her relatives7

     3.3.2 Tragic results of Jane`s aunt and siblings7

     3.3.3 Jane`s forgiveness towards her aunt`s atonement.8

Ⅳ.Comparison with some other works.8

4.1 Themes in Wuthering Heights.8

  4.2 Themes in Price and Prejudice..10

Ⅴ.Conclusion..12

Reference.13