Jane Eyre

Jane struggles to learn at school as she finds rules oppressive. She meets Helen Burns, a fragile girl, who shows her what friendship and love are all about. Although her time at the school is unpleasant, her determined character help to mature into a trusted pupil and knowing that her relatives do not ant her back she applies for the position of governess.

The bulk of the book is set at Thornfield Hall, where Jane is the governess to a young French girl, the ward of the ill-tempered Mr. Rochester. Unfortunately despite his faults Jane finds herself immediately attracted to him but knowing he is from a different class, is considerably older than her and surrounded by attractive women one of whom he obviously set to marry, perceives there to be no chance of a romance between them. Nevertheless they enjoy some cosy evenings together, and discuss all sorts of topics and develop a discussing everything under the sun, and developing a pleasant friendship.

Unbeknown to Jane, Mr Rochester has a dreadful secret, a secret which is hinted at throughout the book but still comes a terrible shock when revealed. Jane had sworn to forgive him anything he had done in his past, but even she can not forgive this and knowing she cannot stay and keep her integrity, she runs away, almost destitute, and is eventually taken in by a kindly parson and his sisters.

Eventually, after some slightly unlikely events, everything ends well.
Narrator: Michelle Crandall