Orphaned into the household of her Aunt Reed at Gateshead, subject to
the cruel regime at Lowood charity school, Jane Eyre none the less
emerges unbroken in spirit and integrity. How she takes up the post of
governess at Thornfield Hall, meets and loves Mr Rochester and discovers
the impediment to their lawful marriage are elements in a story that
transcends melodrama to portray a woman's passionate search for a wider
and richer life than that traditionally accorded to her sex in Victorian
society. In his introduction to this new Penguin Classics edition
Michael Mason discusses the literary critical history of Jane Eyre and
provides fresh insights into Charlotte Bronte's great novel.