Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre has gripped readers since its 1847 publication. Thousands of readers since then have been drawn by the vigour of Jane's voice and the novel's forceful depiction of childhood injustice, of the restraints placed upon women, and the complexities of both faith and passion.
Challenging the notion of Charlotte Bronte as an isolated figure, this study situates her work within the rich context of Victorian psychological discourse. Sally Shuttleworth utilizes extensive local research, including newspaper articles and medical texts, to examine the interplay of economic, social, and psychological themes in the 19th century. The analysis delves into how Bronte's fiction responds to the era's complex views on sexuality and insanity, highlighting the influence of medical and psychological surveillance on her writing.