Nearly two centuries after its initial publication, Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel "Jane Eyre" is now a required reading assignment for ninth-grade students across China, according to Chinese state media. The novel’s inclusion in the national curriculum reflects its longstanding popularity in the country and highlights its perceived alignment with the government’s cultural and social objectives.
"Jane Eyre," first published in Britain in 1847, tells the story of a young orphaned governess who asserts her independence and dignity within the rigid social structures of Victorian England. The narrative, noted for exploring themes of equality between women and men, has been widely embraced in China for its depiction of female autonomy. Chinese translations have existed since 1925, and the story has been adapted multiple times for stage and screen, including a British film shown in Chinese theaters in 1979 during the country’s reopening to foreign cultural influences.
Chinese official media have praised "Jane Eyre" for its portrayal of a love story that transcends materialism and for promoting values compatible with socialist ideals of gender equality. According to a commentary in Beijing Daily, the novel can help young readers develop a more balanced approach to relationships and life values. The government’s decision to make the novel mandatory reading coincides with ongoing concerns over population decline and an official campaign encouraging youth to marry and have children.
Academic experts note that while "Jane Eyre" presents a fiercely independent female protagonist, her story ultimately aligns with traditional societal expectations favored by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Ping Zhu, a literature professor specializing in Chinese feminism at the University of California, San Diego, explained that the novel’s version of women’s liberation is acceptable to the CCP because it supports the heterosexual nuclear family and does not question conventional gender roles too radically. The conclusion of the novel, in which Jane marries Mr. Rochester and starts a family, illustrates this alignment.
However, Zhu also pointed out that contemporary feminist movements in China, such as #MeToo or those promoting women’s right not to marry or have children, face resistance from authorities. Recent government crackdowns on certain literary genres—such as Boys’ Love novels, which explore same-sex romance, and online dramas romanticizing wealthy business figures—reflect an effort to regulate cultural content viewed as incompatible with official values.
Readers in China have found varied meaning in "Jane Eyre" over time. For some, like Vicky Li, who first encountered the novel as a child and later recommended it to her daughters, the story exemplifies courage and independence within its historical context. Others, including Wang Sirui, emphasize Jane’s refusal to become Mr. Rochester’s mistress as a testament to her commitment to personal agency and moral choice.
Despite official framing, scholars caution that the novel’s rich complexity leaves room for diverse interpretations. As Professor Zhu noted, literary classics like "Jane Eyre" offer multiple layers of meaning that can resonate differently with each generation, potentially extending beyond the government’s intended message.