This book offers a clear and lively introduction to a broad range of key critical responses - from Victorian times to the present - to one of the most widely-studied nineteenth-century novels.It features an approachable structure which effectively combines a chronological and thematic approach, starting with Victorian responses and moving through twentieth and twenty first century critical reactions. It considers theatrical, cinematic and literary adaptations of the novel and the critical response to these.This Guide offers a clear and lively introduction to a broad range of key critical responses to one of the most widely-studied nineteenth-century novels. The structure effectively combines a chronological and thematic approach, starting with Victorian responses to "Jane Eyre", moving through twentieth and twenty-first century critical reactions.

Table of Contents

Aknowledgements Introduction Victorian Responses: Power and Popularity; Coarseness and Criticism Jane Eyre's 'I': From Humanism to Deconstruction An Iconic Text: Feminism and Psychoanalytic Criticism Caste Typing: Marxism and Materialist Criticism Bertha's Savage Face: Postcolonial Concerns New Historicism and the Turn Toward History Moving Picture: Jane Eyre Adapted Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index

About the Author

SARA LODGE is Lecturer in English at the University of St Andrews, UK.

Reviews

'To summarise the enormous body of criticism that Jane Eyre has generated since its publication in 1847 in 200 pages was not an easy task. To do this in an accessible way without falling into oversimplifications was even harder to achieve. The fact that the final result is not only a good reference book but also a highly readable one evinces the success of Sara Lodge's task.' - Bronteblog 'The selections show contrasts, trends and developments. They present not only a panorama but also a map of the territory, inviting further excursions... Long may books as good as this one be part of our future, helping us to evaluate the past.' - Charmian Knight, Bronte Studies