Jane Eyre in 2025

Daily Trojan writes 'In defense of classic literature’s importance' while calling Jane Eyre--a classic novel--'antiquated'.

There are also other reimaginings like Jean Rhys’ “Wide Sargasso Sea,” which provides a counter-narrative to the antiquated depiction of the “madwoman in the attic” from “Jane Eyre,” and even fanfiction reinvents classic literature. Such instances of supplementary storytelling help to diversify the teaching of the canon, expanding it beyond the pervasiveness of old white men. 
This is necessary because it demonstrates how authors and characters from diverse backgrounds can connect through the written word, as well as providing a more representative portrayal of the human experience across various cultures. (Charlotte Dekle)

Trill does a better defence of the classics, including both Jane Eyre and Wide Sargasso Sea on a list of '10 Classic Books That Will Not Put You to Sleep—From an English Student'.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (1847)

Jane Eyre is a gothic novel that follows the titular Jane Eyre, a self-reliant woman who becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall. At Thornfield, she falls in love with the mysterious Mr. Rochester. 

Jane comes from a troubled childhood as a girl who was misunderstood by those around her. The Brontë sisters, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, are some of the originating writers of “sad girl literature.” This subgenre centers on melancholic, intellectual women who stand out against the ordinary. Popular authors such as Sally Rooney and Ottessa Moshfegh infuse their books with these gothic heroine character traits. 

Not only did Brontë pave the way for nuanced portrayals of independent women, but her depiction of the gothic romance is also a modern trend. The brooding male love interest with dark secrets is embodied in the character of Mr. Rochester. His presence creates a shroud of mystery around this binge-worthy forbidden romance. 

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (1966)

Published over a century after Jane Eyre, Wide Sargasso Sea is a feminist and postcolonial retelling of the Brontë novel. It focuses on the character of Antoinette as she transforms into Bertha, Mr. Rochester’s mad wife in the attic. 

Acting as a significant retelling of one of the most influential classics of all time, Wide Sargasso Sea is a cornerstone in the tradition of literary reimaginings. Jean Rhys contributed to the movement of feminist retellings, where authors began to provide a voice for the voiceless. Historical fiction and mythology-inspired books trending today carry on this movement. 

I highly recommend reading Jane Eyre and Wide Sargasso Sea as a duo together! The complexities of identity for women of different ethnicities and the subversion of various tropes between both books will have you feeling like an intellectual without making you take a nap. (Lilly Wright)

The Teen Mag also includes Jane Eyre on a list of '6 Classic Novels You Should Read in 2025'.

3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

For when you want a complex, gothic, feminist romance.

Say goodbye to predictable love stories and let Jane Eyre pull you into a world where love is moody, atmospheric, and emotionally intense.

Jane is not your typical 19th-century female protagonist. She’s poor, plain, and utterly self-aware. But, her strength is her refusal to settle for anything less than what she deserves, even when it means walking away from someone you admire.

All in one, you have a love story, a ghost story, and a feminist manifesto. A timeless book to get yourself lost in. (Katie Frost)

Many sites such as IndieWire, E News, FandomWire, Coming Soon, etc. continue catching up on what the Wuthering Heights 2026 casting director said a few days ago. Ephemeral New York features the Villa Charlotte Brontë.