Jane Eyre

The passionate, tender love story of Jane Eyre and her Mr Rochester is one of the most famous in literature. Tormented by cruel cousins, unjustly punished by her aunt, Jane resists tyranny with the fiercely independent spirit that will later delight and intrigue Mr Rochester.

Jane's open defiance of her unjust and tyrannical aunt has led to her being sent away from Gateshead Hall. She is to go to Lowood School where 'there will be no softness...'

Conditions improve at Lowood School, and Jane finds a measure of contentment, first as pupil and later as teacher. But the departure of her beloved Miss Temple arouses all Jane's old restlessness and she advertises for a post as governess.

Happy in her new post at Thornfield Hall, Jane gets on well with her new pupil Adele and the kindly housekeeper Mrs Fairfax. Then she meets her employer, the disturbing and enigmatic Mr Rochester.

Jane is both fascinated and baffled by her employer Mr Rochester, and he seems more than usually interested in her. But Rochester is moody, haunted by his mysterious past. One night Jane is awakened by mad laughter. She sees smoke and finds Rochester's bed in flames.

Mr Rochester is entertaining guests, and Jane is perturbed by his evident fondness for Blanche Ingram. The arrival of Mason, a visitor from the West Indies gives Rochester a considerable shock. That night there is an alarm, Mason is attacked and Rochester turns to Jane for help.

Summoned by her dying aunt, Jane returns to Gateshead Hall, the scene of her unhappy childhood. On her deathbed Mrs Reed confesses that some years ago Jane's wealthy uncle in Madeira offered to provide for her. To revenge herself on Jane Mrs Reed told him that his niece was dead.

The wedding ceremony of Jane Eyre and Mr Rochester is interrupted by a lawyer, Mr Briggs. He claims that the marriage cannot go on. 'Mr Rochester has a wife now living ...'

Jane wanders the moors, penniless and starving. Utterly exhausted, she lies down in a final act of surrender to the elements. But she is brought back from the brink by a faint light in the distance, growing closer. The lantern belongs to the clergyman St. John Rivers, who rescues Jane.

The destitute Jane has found sanctuary with the Rivers family and has a new post as teacher at the village school.

Jane is on the point of accepting St John Rivers's proposal when she hears Rochester's voice calling to her.