Jane Eyre takes place in England in the early 19th century, otherwise known as the Victorian Era. The Victorian Era was a time dominated by a strict social hierarchy where women had little freedom and people were judged based on their social standing. Throughout the novel, Bronte criticizes the superficiality of the Victorian Era’s class structure and the limitations of women in the time period.
Biography
Charlotte Bronte's life parallels much of Jane Eyre's life. Bronte grew up in a remote village on the moors of Yorkshire in a religious household. She was one of six children, three of whom became renowned authors themselves. Bronte's mother, Maria Branwell, died very young, and shortly thereafter the four eldest daughters were sent to Cowan Bridge School. Cowan Bridge, with its unsanitary conditions and rigid daily schedule, formed the basis for Lowood Institute in Jane Eyre, and Reverend William Carus-Wilson influenced the character of Reverend Brocklehurst. Bronte's two eldest sisters, Maria and Elizabeth, died at Cowan Bridge, and the character of Helen Burns is based on the deeply pious and selfless Maria who died at eleven years old. When the remaining sisters returned home to Yorkshire, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte all kept themselves occupied by reading Romantic poetry and literary magazines. They wrote stories and created imaginary worlds outside of their plain and ordinary lives. Like Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte suffered from self-consciousness about her lack of economic status, social graces, and beauty; additionally, at the age of 23 Bronte took up a position as a governess, much like Jane. After her stint as a governess, Bronte spent time in Brussels going to school where she fell in love with her married teacher, Constantin Heger, who influenced the character of Rochester. Nothing came of Bronte's longings, and soon after she returned to England. Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte published novels under the male pseudonyms Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell, respectively. In 1854, at the age of 38, Charlotte Bronte married Arthur Bell Nicholls, whom she did not love but came to value for his fidelity. Charlotte Bronte died in March 1855 at the young age of 39.
Paraphrased from the Introduction of Jane Eyre with notes by Susan Ostrov Weisser:
Weisser, Susan O. "The World of Charlotte Bronte and Jane Eyre." Introduction. Jane Eyre. New York: Barnes & Noble Classics, 2003. Ix-Xxiii. Print.