Was Jane Eyre a real person?
Since this character carries my surname, I have been highly
interested in the history of this book. It is my conclusion, and
the conclusion of others, that Jane Eyre is not a real person of
whom Charlotte Bronte wrote about. However, there are many
parallels between Jane's and Charlotte's life, such as going away
to the school and the death of so many girls, and Jane's employment
as a governess and falling in love with the Master of one place she
was employed at. So, one could argue that Charlotte wrote about
herself in the book.
I kind of wish Jane was real. It would have been a great boon to
have traced my genealogy to her.
~ Barbara Eyre
North Carolina