The Bildungsroman Project
coming-of-age since the 18th century
jane eyre
by charlotte brontë
1847
Jane Eyre is not only one of the first female bildungsromane; it is one of the best and earliest examples of the bildungsroman genre as a whole. Placing a decidedly rational heroine in a gothic setting, this novel tells the story of an orphaned governess who earns the chance to be a great lady. Jane values equality and personal dignity above all other social advantages, and her banter with the leading men reveals the indomitable spirit behind one so "poor, obscure, plain, and little."
