Summary:

As Jane waits for her acceptance to Lowood school, an all girls school, she endures cruel treatment from her aunt and cousins at Gateshead. When she is finally accepted, she is introduced to Mr. Brocklehurst, the stern-faced man who is in charge of the school. Jane's aunt warns Mr. Brocklehurst that she is a liar. Four days later, Jane travels on a dark and rainy day while she is led through an appalling building, that will be her new home. While being introduced to her classmates and teachers, Jane meets Miss Temple, the superintendent of the school, who is very pleasant to be around. She also meets a new friend, Helen, who is smart and believes in loving her enemies and accepting punishments, in which she constantly receives from a mean teacher, Miss Scatcherd. Jane disagrees with Helen and believes that she should only be punished when deserved. Jane soon realizes that life at school is harsh. The girls are underfed, overworked, and forced to sit through long sermons.