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This Norton Critical Edition again reprints, with expanded explanatory footnotes, the 1848 third edition text, the last corrected by Charlotte Bronte. The newly expanded and reorganized "Contexts" section provides an extensive sampling of materials concerning Bronte's experiences as a student, governess, and teacher, experiences that influenced her portrayal of Jane Eyre at Lowood school and as the governess of Thornfield Hall. New to the Third Edition are illustrations from and commentary upon Bronte's use of Thomas Bewick's History of British Birds. Numerous letters document Jane Eyre's publication and reception history, including Bronte's retorts to negative reviews by Elizabeth Rigby and The Christian Remembrancer. Expanded excerpts from Elizabeth Gaskell's The Life of Charlotte Bronte provide a fellow novelist's comments upon Bronte as a woman author and help to explain Bronte's reactions to her critics. "Criticism" retains major feminist readings by Adrienne Rich and Sandra M. Gilbert and newly includes essays by Jerome Beaty, Lisa Sternlieb, Jeffrey Sconce, and Donna Marie Nudd. A Chronology and Selected Bibliography are included.