"Jane Eyre follows the titular character as she makes her way through Thornfield Hall as the governess and love interest of Mr. Rochester. The text reprinted in this new edition is that of the 1848 third edition text--the last text corrected by Charlotte Brontë. The text is accompanied by explanatory footnotes and an introduction that explores the influences of the novel and its journey to publication. 'Contexts' includes excerpts from Charlotte's early writings and diaries from her time as a governess and beyond. There are many letters to Emily Brontë, Ellen Nussey, W.S. Williams, and Sonstantin Heger, all of which are supported by excerpts from Elizabeth Gaskell's autobiography of Charlotte Brontë. 'Criticism' examines the many themes woven into the novel with work by Virginia Woolf, Sandra Gilbert, Susan Meyer, Carla Kaplan, and Kelly A. Marsh. A Chronology and updated Selected Bibliography are also included"--