A review by lichreads
Jane Eyre (AmazonClassics Edition) by Charlotte Brontë

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Spoiler

Being someone who 18 not very long ago, I sympathize with Jane Eyre's thoughts on love and marriage throughout the story (save the ending). Which is why the actual plot of the story was disappointing.

Edward Rochester groomed an 18 year old girl and was able to marry him. Despite the controversial opinions on the morality of age-gaps in relationships, I could not get behind this one. Rochester lied to Jane, and manipulated her, with or without his knowledge of these things is irrelevant. 

Rochester's first wife, Bertha, clearly displayed the English views regarding colonialism and imperialism, being imprisoned by Rochester for not meeting the expectation of being a docile wife. Her turning to violence is entirely justified considering the violence done to her throughout their marriage. Jane's white womanhood is very clearly on display, ultimately accepting and redeeming her beloved Mr. Rochester after his late wife ends her own life after setting his manor ablaze. She turns to sympathizes with him rather than Bertha, who felt that her story can only end in her death, and sought it on her own terms. 

At the end of the day, I feel sorry for Jane for not having the tools to learn more about the source of Mr. Rochester's affections, and how to utilize her agency. She was a child who married a middle-aged man.