Mrs. Reed's Decline and Death

Chronicles the fate of Mrs. Reed, Jane's cruel aunt, from her prosperous but unhappy life to her final illness, confession, and death.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Mrs. Reed's Later Years

A Troubled Household John's Dissipation Mrs. Reed's son John becomes a wastrel, running up debts and ruining the family. He commits suicide, leaving his mother devastated. The news causes a stroke. The Daughters Eliza becomes a cold, religious formalist; Georgiana is vain and frivolous. They have no love for each other or their mother. The family is in disarray. Jane's Return Jane is summoned to Mrs. Reed's deathbed. She finds her aunt paralyzed and bitter. Mrs. Reed confesses that she suppressed a letter from John Eyre, depriving Jane of an inheritance.

Mrs. Reed's Death

A Bitter End The Confession Mrs. Reed admits her wrongdoing but shows no remorse. She refuses Jane's offer of reconciliation. Her hatred for Jane persists to the end. The Final Hours Mrs. Reed dies in the night, alone except for the nurse. Jane is not present. Her death is grim and without peace. Aftermath Eliza enters a convent, Georgiana marries a wealthy man. The Gateshead estate passes to distant relatives. Mrs. Reed's life ends in failure and isolation.

eight years after Jane left Gateshead

a few weeks after Jane's arrival