It is easy to confirm that Jane Eyre was first published in 1847; however, pinning down the exact year in which Charlotte Brontë’s classic was set proves more challenging. Allusions to publications by Keats and Byron suggest a timeframe between 1814 and 1820. There are other hints as well.
The book that intrigues eight-year-old Jane, Thomas Bewick’s A History of British Birds, was published in two volumes, between 1797 and 1804. Since the rest of the tale (up until the concluding chapter) takes effect over the next ten years of Jane’s life, we are now looking at an “autobiography” set somewhere around the year 1815.
In any event, I chose the year 1820 for this continuation of Jane’s narrative because the death of George III and the ascension of his son made for such a fascinating period in history. Few men have ever been as thoroughly blessed and as totally despicable as King George IV, George Augustus Frederick of the House of Hanover. It is against the backdrop of this sovereign’s immorality, selfishness, and irresponsibility that Jane’s character truly shines. Although King George IV was endowed with every advantage, and Jane Eyre a fictional orphan with none, there is no question in my mind which of these two characters has stood the test of time.
To learn more about this era, please visit my website, www.JoannaSlan.com, for a listing of resources.