Charlotte Bronte, an English woman novelist in the 19th century, was born at Thornton3, Yorkshire4 in 1816. Her father was an Irish clergyman5. She once had a happy childhood before her mother's death (1821). After that she, together with her sisters and a brother, was left in the care of her aunt.
Charlotte's experience at school was far from pleasant, and these unhappy memories were reflected6 in her novel “Jane Eyre”, the most famous one of her works. It was an immediate success shortly after its publication in 1847. She wrote three other books in the following years, but they were less notable7.
Charlotte became a governness8, but later returned to Haworth, Yorkshire, her native place, planning to start a school with her sisters. In 1842, she went with her sister Emily to study languages in Brussels9. They failed to carry out their plans, however, and instead Charlotte became a teacher in Brussels. In 1854, Charlotte finally overcame her father's objections10 and got married, but unfortunately she died a year later, in 1855, at the age of 39.
The following is an adapted11 chapter from the novel “Jane Eyre”. Jane Eyre was an orphan12 child, the heroine13 of the novel. She was under the care of her aunt Mrs Reed, a wealthy lady with three children: Eliza, John and Georgiana. They were unkind, and even cruel to her, treating her not as a cousin, but as a servant. The author expressed, through the mouth of the little girl, her own sufferings14 in childhood and her stubbornness15 in nature.
It was a cold winter day. The wind had brought dark clouds and heavy rain, so it was impossible to take a walk. Eliza, John and Georgiana were gathered round their mother in the sitting-room. She lay on a sofa by the fireside, looking perfectly happy with her darlings17 about her. But she told me not to come near them because I was not a good child.
I went to a small room next to the drawing-room. Taking a book from a bookcase, I climbed up into the window-seat. Here I sat behind the curtains18 and started reading. I was quite happy until I heard the voice of John Reed.
“Where is she?” he said, calling to his sisters. “Eliza! Georgiana! Jane is not here.”
I was glad that I had drawn19 the curtains, and I prayed20 that I should not be discovered. But Eliza was quicker than John. She said at once: “She is in the window-seat of course.”
I came out immediately. “What do you want?” I asked.
“Say ‘what do you want, Master21 Reed’,” was his reply. “I want you to come here,” he added. And he sat down in an armchair.
John Reed was a schoolboy of fourteen: four years older than I, for I was only ten. He was big and stout22 for his age, with a large face and an unhealthy skin. John had not much love for his mother and sisters, but he really hated me. As I came up to his chair, he spent about three minutes in putting out his tongue23 at me. Then he hit me suddenly and hard.
“What were you doing behind the curtains?”
“I was reading.”
“Show me the book.”
I returned to the window and brought the book. “You have no business to read our books.” John Reed continued. “You are a dependent24, Mama says. Your father left you no money. You ought to beg, and not live with a gentleman's children. Go and stand by the door.”
I did so. I turned round and saw that he was going to throw the book at me; I tried to avoid it, but it was too late. I was knocked over, and fell against the door, striking my head and cutting it badly. The pain was very sharp.
“Wicked25, cruel boy!” I said. “You are like a murderer—you are like a slave-driver26!”
“What!” he cried. “What did you say to me? Did you hear her, Eliza and Georgiana? I'll tell Mama. But first—”
He ran at me and grasped my hair and my shoulder. But I was desperate27 now. I don't know what I did with my hands, but I heard him cry for help.
Mrs Reed came. “Take her away to the red room and lock her in,”28 she said. Four hands then quickly carried me upstairs.
“For shame29!” cried the maid. “To strike a gentleman, your young master!”
“Master? How is he my master? Am I a servant?”
“You ought to know, Miss,” said the nurse, “that you owe much to Mrs Reed. She keeps you. If she turns you away, you will have to go to the poorhouse30.”
These words were not new to me; so I did not answer.
1． Charlotte Bronte 夏洛蒂·勃朗特（英国文学史上著名作家）
2． Jane Eyre 《简·爱》（夏洛蒂·勃朗特的代表作）
3． Thornton n．桑顿（教区名）
4． Yorkshire n．约克郡（英国郡名）
5． clergyman n． 牧师
6． reflect v． 反映
7． notable adj． 著名的，显著的
8． governess n． 女家庭教师
9． Brussels n．布鲁塞尔（比利时首都）
10． objection n． 反对，不赞成
11． adapted adj． 经过改写的
12． orphan n． 孤儿
13． heroine n．（小说、戏剧中的）女主角
14． suffering n．痛苦，苦楚
15． stubbornness n．倔强，顽强
16． Gateshead Hall是 Jane Eyre姨妈家的住宅
17． darling n．亲爱的人
18． curtain n．窗帘
19． draw (drew, drawn) v． 拉，牵
20． pray [prei] v．祈祷，祷告
21． master n． 主人，少爷（佣人对小主人的称呼）
22． stout [staut] adj． （身体）肥壮的
23． put out one＇s tongue 伸舌头；[转义]做鬼脸
24． dependent n．靠人养活的人
25． wicked adj．坏的，恶劣的
26． slave－driver n．驱使奴隶作工的人，逼人当奴隶的人
27． desperate adj．不顾死活的，拼命的
28． Take her away to the red room and lock her in 把她拉到红房间里锁起来 (red room 是Mrs Reed家中的一个房间，因其墙壁和陈设多为红色而得名)
29． “For shame!” 真不像话！
30． poorhouse n．贫民收容所