Jane Eyre is the fictional heroine and the titular protagonist in Charlotte Brontë 's 1847 novel of the same name . The story follows Jane's infancy and childhood as an orphan, her employment first as a teacher and then as a governess , and her romantic involvement with her employer, the mysterious and moody Edward Rochester. Jane is noted by critics for her dependability, strong mindedness, and individualism. The author deliberately created Jane as an unglamorous figure, in contrast to conventional heroines of fiction, and possibly part-autobiographical. Jane Eyre is a young orphan being raised by Mrs. Reed , her cruel, wealthy aunt. A servant named Bessie provides Jane with some of the few kindnesses she receives, telling her stories and singing songs to her. One day, as punishment for fighting with her bullying cousin John Reed , Jane’s aunt imprisons Jane in the red-room, the room in which Jane’s...