Mr. Brocklehurst, St. John Rivers, Lord Ingram, Miss Temple and Blanche are small roles that can be double-cast if necessary.

Staging note: This play is composed of many small scenes, so elaborate sets are discouraged. Also – Jane ages over ten years during the course of the play. The director will have to carefully consider all costume changes.

ROYALTY NOTE: There is no royalty fee for this play to be produced as a student production by a public or charter school before September 3, 2013. All others must enquire with the author.

(CURTAIN OPENS, JANE EYRE, MRS. REED AND MR. BROCKLEHURST ARE ON STAGE)

MRS. REED: This is the little girl respecting whom I applied to you.

MR. BROCKLEHURST: Her size is small: what is her age?

MRS. REED: Thirteen years.

MR. BROCKLEHURST: Your name, little girl?

JANE EYRE: Jane Eyre, sir.

MR. BROCKLEHURST: Well, Jane Eyre, and are you a good child? (NO ANSWER) Do you know where the wicked go after death?

JANE EYRE: They go to hell.

MR. BROCKLEHURST: And what is hell? 

JANE EYRE: A pit full of fire.

MR. BROCKLEHURST: And should you like to fall into that pit, and to be burning there for ever?

JANE EYRE: No, sir.

MR. BROCKLEHURST: What must you do to avoid it?

JANE EYRE: I must keep in good health, and not die.

MRS. REED: Mr. Brocklehurst, I believe I intimated in the letter which I wrote to you three weeks ago, that this little girl has not quite the character and disposition I could wish: should you admit her here into Lowood school, I should be glad if the superintendent and teachers guard against her worst fault, a tendency to deceit.