A poor orphan girl despised by her immediate relations, Jane spends the early part of her life being tortured by her cousins and displeasing her aunt. Jane's aunt finally decides to send her away to boarding school, where Jane has the opportunity to become more independent. After eight years at Lowood, she decides to strike out on her own as a governess, and is hired at Thornfield. As she gets to know the owner of the mansion, Mr. Rochester, sympathy and friendship develop between them, but Thornfield Hall holds some shocking secrets.