Villette: Analysis of Major Characters
"Villette" is a novel by Charlotte Brontë that explores the complexities of identity, love, and belonging through its rich roster of characters. Central to the story is Lucy Snowe, an intelligent and introspective young woman who, after being orphaned, navigates life as a governess in Villette, where she faces both personal and professional challenges. Her relationships with other characters, such as Dr. John Graham Bretton—a caring physician who momentarily shows her affection—and Monsieur Paul Emanuel, a passionate teacher who ultimately becomes her love interest, highlight her journey of self-discovery and emotional resilience.
Madame Beck, the headmistress of the school where Lucy teaches, embodies a controlling presence that complicates Lucy's aspirations. The dynamics between Lucy and her peers, including the vain Ginevra Fanshawe and the charming Paulina Home, further illustrate the themes of rivalry and companionship. Through these interactions, Brontë delves into societal expectations and the struggle for autonomy in a patriarchal framework. The novel's concluding moments leave readers with a sense of hope and possibility for Lucy's future, particularly regarding her anticipated union with Monsieur Paul. Overall, "Villette" presents a nuanced exploration of character development against the backdrop of 19th-century European society.
Villette: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Charlotte Brontë
First published: 1853
Genre: Novel
Locale: Belgium
Plot: Bildungsroman
Time: The early nineteenth century
Lucy Snowe, a quiet, intelligent, and hardworking young English girl whose grave demeanor covers a deeply passionate nature. Orphaned at an early age, she spends her childhood in the homes of distant relatives and with her godmother, Mrs. Bretton. Later, through a varied chain of circumstances, she goes to Villette, a city on the Continent, where she becomes a governess in the household of Madame Beck, the mistress of a boarding school for girls. Before long, Madame Beck gives her a post as a teacher of English in the school. Eventually, with the help of Monsieur Paul Emanuel, another teacher at the school, she secures a school of her own. At the end of the novel, she anticipates marrying M. Paul.
Dr. John Graham Bretton, called Dr. John, the son of Lucy's godmother, now living in Villette. He is the kindhearted, handsome young physician who attends Madame Beck's children. Lucy had known him earlier in her life as a mischievous boy who had little time for girls. His recognition of Lucy comes when he is summoned to revive her after she has fainted while leaving a church. For a time, romance seems about to flower between Lucy and Dr. John, but when Paulina de Bassompierre once more appears in the lives of the Brettons, Dr. John's heart goes to her. At the end of the novel, Pauline and Dr. John marry.
Mrs. Bretton, John's mother and Lucy's godmother, a handsome and vivacious widow. She cares for Lucy after the child has been orphaned. Mrs. Bretton is most attentive to the details of domesticity, and her home and life testify to this interest. In Villette once more, she and her son care for Lucy.
Monsieur Paul Emanuel, Madame Beck's cousin, the instructor in music and French at her school. Hot-tempered and passionate, he falls deeply in love with Lucy and hates to see her in the company of Dr. John. At the beginning of his interest in Lucy, he constantly admonishes her and tries to draw her out with his discussions. Later, his manner becomes less abrupt, and because of the consideration and tenderness he shows, she finally falls in love with him. Before he leaves for a three-year journey abroad, he makes arrangements to establish her in a school of her own. The two plan to marry when he returns.
Madame Beck, a cold, dumpy looking, and self-controlled headmistress of a school for girls in Villette who hires Lucy Snowe to teach English. Always in possession of herself, Madame Beck is an outrageously curious person, snooping in Lucy's desk and drawers whenever she feels the occasion warrants it and restlessly prowling, ghostlike, through the school at night. She, together with her relatives, tries to block the romance of Lucy and M. Paul, but her efforts are thwarted.
Paulina Mary Home de Bassompierre (hohm deh bah-sohm-PYEHR), also called Polly Home, a beautiful and poised young lady who marries Dr. Bretton. She first appears in the story as a lonely, small girl called Paulina Home. Because her father, Mr. Home, is forced to leave her for a time with the Brettons, she falls into a state of depression broken only by the attentions of young John Bretton. She transfers all her affection for her father to the schoolboy and ignores Lucy Snowe's efforts to help her. She grows into a charming young woman and marries her old playfellow, who is now known as Dr. John.
Mr. Home, also known as Monsieur de Bassompierre, a distant cousin of Mrs. Bretton and the father of Paulina Home, to whom he is completely devoted. Because his wife was a giddy, flirtatious woman who never gave her husband the warmth and love he bestowed on her, he became very close to his daughter, and he is quite reluctant for her to marry anyone. Finally, he is reconciled to her marriage with Dr. John and looks forward to becoming one of their household.
Miss Marchmont, a woman of fortune, a rheumatic cripple when Lucy goes to care for her after living with the Brettons. Miss Marchmont's lover had died when she was young, and the old woman has turned into a firm, patient, and sometimes morose person who cares a great deal for Lucy. When Miss Marchmont dies, Lucy is once more forced to go into the worldtomakeherownliving.
Mrs. Barrett, the old servant of Miss Marchmont, also fond of Lucy Snowe.
Mrs. Leigh, an old schoolmate of Lucy, a comely, good-natured woman. Her French maid suggests to Lucy, after Miss Marchmont's death, that there are many English girls living on the Continent and that perhaps Lucy can find a position abroad.
Ginevra Fanshawe (zhih-NEH-vrah FAN-shah), a vain and proud but attractive girl, Paulina Home's cousin. She is a passenger aboard the Vivid, the ship on which Lucy crosses the channel, and is a student at Madame Beck's school. She carries on a flirtation with Dr. John while at the same time meeting Alfred de Hamal secretly on Madame Beck's premises. Spoiled and unscrupulous, Ginevra torments Lucy with constant demands for attention. Eventually, she elopes with Alfred de Hamal, and the two are married.
Colonel Alfred de Hamal, one of Ginevra's suitors and eventually her husband, a dandified figure in fashionable society. He disguises himself as a nun to hold many rendezvous with Ginevra in Madame Beck's establishment.
Mrs. Cholmondeley (CHUHL-mon-deh-lay), Ginevra's chaperon at many parties, a woman of fashion in Villette who has attached herself to court circles and enjoys a prominent place in society.
Mademoiselle St. Pierre (sahn pyehr), a fellow teacher in Madame Beck's school, a prodigal and profligate woman whose chief achievement is the ability to keep order among the students.
Rosine Matou (roh-ZEEN mah-TEW), the portress at Madame Beck's school, a pretty, airy, and fickle young woman afraid of M. Paul's temper tantrums.
Fraulein Anna Braun, a worthy, hearty woman of forty-five. She instructs Lucy Snowe and Paulina Home in German.
Mademoiselle Sauver (soh-VAY), Monsieur Paul's ward, who adores him.
Vashti, a complex and beautiful actress who entrances Lucy Snowe when Dr. John takes her to one of Vashti's performances.
Désirée (day-zee-RAY), the oldest daughter of Madame Beck, a vicious child who smashes things and steals from the servants. She is overindulged by her mother.
Fifine (fee-FEEN), Madame Beck's middle child, an honest, gleeful little girl.
Georgette (zhohr-ZHEHT), Madame Beck's youngest daughter, attended during her illness by Dr. John. Her sickness introduces him to the Beck household.
Mrs. Sivinc (SIH-vihnk), the whiskey-drinking nursery governess to the Beck children, replaced by Lucy Snowe.
Mademoiselle Blanche (blahnsh), Mademoiselle Virginie (veer-zhee-NEE), and Mademoiselle Angélique (ahn-zhay-LEEK), three obstreperous pupils at Madame Beck's school. They plague Lucy Snowe on the first day of her teaching.
Dolores, another unusually willful student whom Lucy Snowe punishes by locking her in a closet.
Madame Walravens (WAHL-ray-vehnz), a hideous little woman, the grandmother of M. Paul's dead sweetheart. He supports her after the death of Justine Marie, his betrothed.
Père Silas (pehr see-LAHS), the priest who hears Lucy Snowe's confession. The cleric is supported by M. Paul because he is a kinsman of the dead Justine Marie. He tries in vain to change Lucy to a Catholic.
Monsieur Boissec (bwah-SEHK) and Monsieur Rochemonte (rohsh-MONT), professors who attempt to embarrass M. Paul by claiming that he has written Lucy Snowe's compositions.