There are many similarities between Jane Eyre and Charlotte Brontë. Charlotte lost her sisters at a young age, and Jane lost her best friend at a young age. Charlotte went to a boarding school, as did Jane. I think that Jane Eyre could have been a way for Brontë to cope with her childhood. 

From all of the class discussions I believe it makes sense. Why wouldn't it be the case? Brontë wrote under false names, and for that she could have felt like she just blended in. Her whole childhood, she grew up with many people around her, so it would make sense that she would be a "plain Jane" so to speak. She did not feel as though she caught the eye.