Locations of Jane Eyre

While I knew after our class last week that location was indeed important in the novel, I did not realize how much Bronte jumps all over Great Britian, and even in France. (I tried to add points on the map, but nothing would save, so I thought I would create a list with the different locations I've read about in the book.) The counties that are the main subjects of the novel are Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Derbyshire.

St. Michael and All Angels' Church

This is the church where the Bronte's father preached, and it is located near the Bronte home and museum. Emily, her siblings (apart from Anne) and her parents were all interred there. It is estimated that over 40,000 people are buried in the church's graveyard, with over half being children who died before the age of six. After the death of the Bronte's father, Patrick, the church was deemed unsafe and unsanitary for public use. It was demolished, despite there being public outcry over this.

Historical Context Based on Fashion/Home Decor

On page 61, Bronte mentions young woman wearing "grey beaver hats appointed with ostrich plumes". According to Wikipedia, beaver hats were popular in Europe from 1550-1850, but during the nineteenth century, the demand to decorate woman's hats with ostrich plumes rose dramatically, providing support for the timeline within which Jane Eyre takes place. Additionally, on page 86, while Jane's carriage stops at George's Inn in Millcote, she mentions the inn being decorate with a portrait of George III and Prince Albert.

Thornfield Hall Inspiration in Film

Located near Bakewell, Derbyshire, Haddon Hall has been used to depict Thornfield Hall in many movie/television adaptations of Jane Eyre. Famously, it has been used in Franco Zeffirelli's 1996 adaptation, BBC's 2006 mini-series, and Fukunaga's 2011 adaptation of the book. Here is a link to the site with a full description of the many films and television series that have used Haddon Hall as a filming location:https://www.haddonhall.co.uk/discover/films-tv/

North Lees Hall

According to The Eyres of Derbyshire, many speculate that Charlotte Bronte based Thornfield Hall off of the famous North Lees Hall in Hathersage (TED). The Eyres of Derbyshire claim that Bronte visited the Hall on more than a few occasions when staying with her friend Ellen Nussey in Hathersage (TED). Many of the descriptions of Thornfield in Jane Eyre match those of North Lees Hall such as "the battlemented façade, the view from the roof and the Apostles Cabinet, a unique item of furniture (TED).

Lowood

Lowood is the institute for orphans that Jane is sent to. It is characterized by its marshes and woods, which the children are described exploring once the epidemic of typhus breaks out. The name of the place, although made up, seems to describe the external location surrounding it, "low wood," as well as the low point in her life (Brontë 63). Although Jane learns drawing and French, which brings her joy, she also experiences a death of a friend, an unhappiness with teaching, and a desire to see more. Overall, Lowood is a pivotal point in Jane’s maturation.