Jane Eyre 1970

Jane Eyre is an orphan raised by her tormentingly abusive aunt and cousins until she is sent to Lowood School, where cruelty is an education strategy. The headmaster, Mr. Brocklehurst, reminds the students that

God saw fit to make them orphans.

Jane’s best friend, who suffered from tuberculosis (called consumption in those days), is forced to stand in the rain as punishment and dies the next day.

On leaving, Jane takes a position as governess to a girl named Adele at ** Thornfield Hall**. Her employer, Edward Rochester, explains that Adele is not his daughter, but that she is the child of a man who ran off with Rochester’s wife.

One night, Jane rescues Edward Rochester from a fire in his bed; he is moved that she saved his life. Jane wonders who left a candle burning on the floor outside her room.

Edward goes away to court a beautiful woman, and Jane is heartbroken. He returns with the woman and an entourage. A man named Mason arrives and Rochester confides in Jane that Mason could ruin his standing in society.

During the night, all are awakened by shrieks. Edward tells them a servant had a bad dream, but reveals to Jane that Mason was attacked by an insane former employee living in the attic. He escorts Mason out of Thornfield to a doctor.

When the guests leave, Edward declares his love and proposes to Jane in the garden of another property, and she accepts. However, during the ceremony, Mason returns and announces that Rochester is already married — to Mason’s sister, who was the insane woman in the attic.

Jane decides to leave rather than be the mistress of a married man, but Edward begs her to stay. While he sleeps, Jane leaves Thornfield and gets stranded on the moors. She is rescued by a minister, St. John Rivers and his two sisters. Jane teaches the local children. St John suggests they marry and travel to India to better serve God. However, Jane realises St John does not love her, and that she can only love God by experiencing human love.

Jane returns to Thornfield, but discovers the mansion is now a burnt shell. One of Edward’s servants tells her Rochester’s wife started a fire, but died in the blaze. As the building collapsed, Edward was injured and blinded.

Not fazed by Edward’s injuries, Jane meets him in the garden of the other property, and they rekindle their love.