Jane Chisolm

Jane Chisolm is the titular character of the novel Miss Jane, and the events of the book closely follow her life from beginning to end. Jane is the fourth child of Ida and Sylvester Chisolm, after her older sister Grace and her much older brothers Sylvester, Jr., and Belmont, who are already in college when she is born. When she is born, in 1915, the doctor presiding over her birth immediately notices that she was born with a notable anomaly in her genitalia. This condition would leave Jane incontinent for the rest of her life, and also unable to have sex in any conventional way.

From an early age, Jane is notably fearless, cheerful, and naturally happy. This attitude is notable because none of her family members can be said to have the same traits. A self-motivated learner, Jane teaches herself how to read and how to write...