Three-Act Plot Analysis

Act I

After a thorough but somewhat lonely education at Lowood Institute, Jane becomes the governess at Thornfield and quickly falls in love with her master, Mr. Edward Rochester.

Act II

Jane and Rochester try to get married, but they’re prevented because Rochester is trying to commit bigamy – he already has a wife locked in a room on the third floor at Thornfield. Jane runs away.

Act III

Jane learns that marriage without passion would be immoral when she’s faced with a proposal from her clergyman cousin, St. John Rivers. She returns to Rochester, who has conveniently become a widow while she was gone, and they marry.