Jane Eyre
A simplified version of the classic novel written by Jane Austen.
Recap: Chapters 1-2
Vocabulary
Chapter 1: My Story Begins
- aunt (n.): the sister of your father or mother, or the wife of your uncle (ป้า)
- uncle (n.): the brother of your father or mother, or the husband of your aunt (ลุง)
- cousin (n.): the child of your aunt or uncle (ลูกพี่ลูกน้อง)
- unkind (adj.): not kind or pleasant (ไม่ใจดี)
- scream (v.): to make a loud, high noise with your voice because you are hurt, frightened, excited, etc. (กรีดร้อง)
- punish (v.): to make someone suffer because they have done something wrong (ลงโทษ)
- liar (n.): someone who doesn't tell the truth (คนโกหก)
Chapter 2: Lowood School
- servant (n.): a person who is employed to work at another person's home, doing jobs such as cooking and cleaning (คนรับใช้)
- plain (adj.): simple and not decorated (เรียบง่าย)
- terrible (adj.): very bad (แย่มาก)
- dining room (n.): a room where you eat meals (ห้องอาหาร)
- head teacher (n.): the person in charge of a school (ครูใหญ่)
- cruel (adj.): extremely unkind and unpleasant and causing pain to people or animals intentionally (โหดร้าย)
In the first chapter, we are introduced to Jane Eyre, a 10-year-old orphan living with her aunt and cousins at Gateshead Hall in 1825. Jane's life is difficult due to the Reed family's unkindness, particularly from her cousin John. After a physical altercation with John, Jane is labeled a liar and sent to Lowood School by her aunt.
The second chapter details Jane's experiences at Lowood School. The school is a harsh and unwelcoming place, with poor living conditions, strict rules, and inadequate food. Jane endures the hardships, finding solace in the kindness of Miss Temple, the headteacher. However, the school's unhealthy environment leads to an outbreak of illness, causing many girls to become sick and some to die. Mr. Brocklehurst, the school's owner, is forced to improve the conditions due to the crisis. Despite the difficulties, Jane remains at Lowood for eight years, first as a student and then as a teacher.
Comprehension Questions
- How old is Jane at the beginning of the story, and where does she live?
- Why is Jane sent to Lowood School?
- What are the conditions like at Lowood School?
- Who is Miss Temple, and what role does she play in Jane's life at Lowood?
- What event forces Mr. Brocklehurst to improve the conditions at Lowood?
Recap: Chapters 3-5
Vocabulary
Chapter 3: Thornfield Hall
- reply (n.): an answer (การตอบกลับ)
- advertisement (n.): a picture, short film, song, etc. that tries to persuade people to buy a product or service (การโฆษณา)
- governess (n.): a woman employed to teach children in a private household (ครูสอนพิเศษ)
- housekeeper (n.): a person, usually a woman, employed to manage a house and supervise the cleaning staff (แม่บ้าน)
- corridor (n.): a long passage in a building from which doors lead into rooms (ทางเดิน)
Chapter 4: Mr. Rochester
- icy (adj.): covered in ice (เป็นน้ำแข็ง)
- handsome (adj.): (of men) attractive (หล่อ)
- powerful (adj.): having a lot of strength or force (แข็งแรง)
- owner (n.): someone who owns something (เจ้าของ)
Chapter 5: Fire
- smoke (n.): the grey, black, or white gas that is produced by something burning (ควัน)
- save (v.): to stop someone or something from being killed, injured, or destroyed (ช่วยชีวิต)
- shock (n.): a sudden, unexpected, and usually unpleasant event or experience (อาการตกใจ)
- journey (n.): the act of traveling from one place to another, especially in a vehicle (การเดินทาง)
- marry (v.): to become the husband or wife of someone (แต่งงาน)
In Chapter 3, Jane leaves Lowood School to become a governess at Thornfield Hall. She meets Mrs. Fairfax, the housekeeper, who tells her that she will be teaching a young French girl named Adele. Adele is the ward of Mr. Rochester, the owner of Thornfield Hall, who is currently away. Jane settles into her new life, exploring the house and grounds, and begins teaching Adele.
Chapter 4 introduces Mr. Rochester. Jane meets him on the road after his horse falls on the ice. She helps him. Later, Jane is formally introduced to Mr. Rochester at Thornfield Hall. They have a conversation where he questions her about her past and her reasons for coming to Thornfield.
In Chapter 5, a fire breaks out in Mr. Rochester's bedroom. Jane wakes up and discovers the fire, and she helps to put it out. Mr. Rochester thanks her for saving his life. It is revealed that Grace Poole, a strange servant, was responsible for the fire. Jane begins to develop feelings for Mr. Rochester, but she is unsure if he feels the same way. She learns that he is going to visit friends, including a beautiful woman named Miss Ingram, and worries that he might marry her.
Comprehension Questions
- Where does Jane go to work after leaving Lowood, and what is her job?
- Who is Adele, and what is her relationship to Mr. Rochester?
- How does Jane first meet Mr. Rochester?
- What event occurs in Mr. Rochester's room, and how does Jane respond?
- Who is Grace Poole, and what is her role in the fire incident?
Discussion Questions (Choose 1)
- What are Jane's first impressions of Thornfield Hall and Mrs. Fairfax?
- What qualities does Jane demonstrate in her interactions with Mr. Rochester and during the fire incident?
- What do you think might happen next in the story, given Mr. Rochester's interest in Miss Ingram?
Recap: Chapters 6-8
Vocabulary
Chapter 6: Guests at Thornfield Hall
- guest (n.): a person who is invited to visit someone's home or attend a particular event (แขก)
- carriage (n.): a vehicle with four wheels that is usually pulled by horses and was used mainly in the past (รถม้า)
- pale (adj.): light in color or having little color (ซีด)
- gentleman (n.): a man who is polite and behaves well towards other people (สุภาพบุรุษ)
- stupid (adj.): silly or not intelligent (โง่)
Chapter 7: A Terrible Night
- terrible (adj.): very bad or unpleasant (แย่มาก)
- cry (n.): a loud high sound that expresses an emotion such as sadness, fear, or pain (เสียงร้อง)
- blood (n.): the red liquid that is sent around the body by the heart (เลือด)
- mad (adj.): mentally ill, or unable to behave in a reasonable way (บ้า)
- doctor (n.): a person whose job is to treat people who are ill or injured (หมอ)
- bandage (n.): a long, narrow piece of cloth that is tied around an injury or a part of someone's body that has been hurt (ผ้าพันแผล)
Chapter 8: In the Garden
- garden (n.): a piece of land next to and belonging to a house, where flowers and other plants are grown, and often containing an area of grass (สวน)
- marry (v.): to become the husband or wife of someone (แต่งงาน)
- present (n.): something that you are given, without asking for it, on a special occasion, especially to show friendship, or to say thank you (ของขวัญ)
- dream (n.): a series of events or images that happen in your mind when you are sleeping (ความฝัน)
- tear (v.): to pull or be pulled apart, or to pull pieces off (ฉีก)
In Chapter 6, Mr. Rochester returns to Thornfield Hall with many guests, including Miss Blanche Ingram, a beautiful and accomplished woman. Jane observes their interactions and feels insecure about her own plain appearance and social status. She worries that Mr. Rochester might marry Miss Ingram.
Chapter 7 describes a mysterious and unsettling night at Thornfield Hall. A guest, Mr. Mason, is injured under strange circumstances, and Jane hears a frightening laugh. Mr. Rochester tries to downplay the situation, but Jane is suspicious and worried.
In Chapter 8, Mr. Rochester reveals his intention to marry, causing Jane great distress. However, he surprises her by proposing to her instead of Miss Ingram. Jane, despite her insecurities, accepts his proposal, overjoyed at the prospect of marrying the man she loves.
Questions
Comprehension Questions
- Who is Blanche Ingram, and why does Jane feel insecure about her?
- What happens to Mr. Mason, and how does Mr. Rochester explain the situation?
- What does Mr. Rochester tell Jane in the garden, and how does she react?
- Who does Mr. Rochester say he will marry, and how does this make Jane feel?
- What does Mr. Rochester actually propose, and how does Jane respond?
Discussion Questions (Choose 1)
- How do the interactions between Mr. Rochester and Blanche Ingram contribute to the theme of social expectations and appearances?
- What internal conflict does Jane experience when Mr. Rochester initially says he will marry someone else?
- What does Jane's acceptance of Mr. Rochester's proposal reveal about her character and her feelings for him?
Recap: Chapters 9-11
Vocabulary
Chapter 9: A Terrible Night
- lawyer (n.): a person who is qualified to advise people about the law and represent them in court (ทนายความ)
- West Indies (n.): a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea (หมู่เกาะอินดีสตะวันตก)
- alive (adj.): living, not dead (มีชีวิตอยู่)
- mad (adj.): mentally ill, or unable to behave in a reasonable way (บ้า)
Chapter 10: Mr. Rochester's Wife
- church (n.): a building for Christian religious activities (โบสถ์)
- clergyman (n.): a male priest, minister, or religious leader, especially a Christian one (นักบวช)
- pale (adj.): light in color or having little color (ซีด)
Chapter 11: More House
- destitute (adj.): without money, food, a home, or possessions (ยากจน)
- village (n.): a group of houses and other buildings that is smaller than a town, usually in the countryside (หมู่บ้าน)
- niece (n.): a daughter of your brother or sister, or a daughter of your husband's or wife's brother or sister (หลานสาว)
- inherit (v.): to receive money, a house, etc. from someone after they have died (ได้รับมรดก)
- fortune (n.): a large amount of money, goods, property, etc. (โชคลาภ)
In Chapter 9, Jane is summoned back to Gateshead Hall because her aunt is ill. Her aunt confesses to lying about Jane's uncle in Madeira and asks for Jane's forgiveness. Jane forgives her, but her aunt dies soon after. Jane returns to Thornfield Hall and reunites with Mr. Rochester.
Chapter 10 begins with Jane's wedding day. However, the ceremony is interrupted by a lawyer named Mr. Briggs, who reveals that Mr. Rochester is already married to a woman named Bertha Mason. Mr. Rochester admits the truth and takes everyone to see Bertha, who is mentally unstable and lives in seclusion at Thornfield Hall. Jane is devastated and leaves Thornfield.
In Chapter 11, Jane wanders alone and destitute until she is taken in by St. John Rivers and his sisters, Diana and Mary. They help her find a job as a teacher in a village school. St. John later reveals that Jane has inherited a fortune from her uncle, and that he and his sisters are her cousins. Jane shares her inheritance with them. St. John proposes marriage to Jane, but she declines because she doesn't love him. One day, Jane hears Mr. Rochester's voice calling her name, and she decides to return to Thornfield Hall.
Comprehension Questions
- Why is Jane summoned back to Gateshead?
- What happens at Jane's wedding?
- Who is Bertha Mason, and where does she live?
- What does Jane do with her inheritance?
- Why does Jane decide to return to Thornfield Hall?
Discussion Questions (Choose 1)
- How does Jane's forgiveness of her aunt contribute to her character development?
- What is the significance of the revelation of Mr. Rochester's secret marriage?
- How does the theme of family and connection emerge in these chapters, particularly through Jane's relationship with her cousins and her inheritance?
