by Charlotte Bronte
First published 1847.
Jane Eyre was and is a classic of the English language. Originally published part-way through the Victorian era, this book tells a story of a woman who lost her parents to an early death and was raised and educated in an orphan’s asylum. (It is important to note that this was before the rise of the welfare state in Britain and before public education was recognized as a right.) Her best friend at her school died an early, but not unusual, death.
Jane ended up becoming a governess of a house upon her graduation. The owner of the house falls in love with her, and she with him. They engage to be married, but a surprise greets them on their wedding day. Not willing to compromise the sanctity of their marriage, Jane runs away without her worldly possessions. She is found in a near-death-like state by another family and is taken in by them.
Eventually, the oldest brother of this family asks Jane to marry him, but Jane refuses. He is bound to become a missionary in India, and Jane, though willing to go to India even if it means a sure death, refuses to marry him because they do not love each other. In her words, “cold”-ness and “ambition” drive him, not love.
Circumstances align for Jane soon thereafter. I will not spoil the ending for you, but it is a tale of redemption, my favorite archetype in literature. Perhaps my story as well might be redeemed.