The Situation: While staying with her godmother, Lucy Snowe is introduced to the young son of the house, Graham, as well as a little girl named Polly. Lucy observes how Polly adores Graham, who does shower her with affection, but everything is brought to a halt when Polly is retrieved by her father and they move abroad. Years later, Lucy is in her early 20s and with no family, connections, or means of taking care of herself, so she becomes a teacher in Villette at a boarding school for girls. Despite not knowing the language, as well as often being by herself, Lucy does well. She faces down haughty students, obstinate fellow teachers, and even an employer who insists on going through her things at every opportunity.
The Problem: While Lucy prefers to keep to herself and not draw much attention, people still manage to come to her, though this often results in opportunities to advance her place at the school, as well as widen her social circle. And when a handsome young doctor is summoned to the school to take care of a sick student, Lucy is surprised to find both a new friend and an old acquaintance. She insists on remaining emotionally reserved, but she cares greatly for the doctor, and wonders if he reciprocates her feelings. Her reserved nature also does not escape the notice of a fellow teacher, who takes every opportunity to critique her harshly and insist the only way for things to be done is his way. During her time at the school, the reserved and solitary Lucy will grow as a teacher and a person, and use her skills in observation to triumph over trials and other people.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a classic fiction book originally published in 1853, and was published after the more well known Jane Eyre. It is often said that Villette is Bronte's most autobiographical work, with certain characters directly representing people in her life. The character of Lucy Snowe is smart, hard-working, reserved, and a bit shy. Because she is also plain, with no physical characteristics to recommend her, she is often overlooked, something that does not escape her notice. The family tragedy that causes her to leave England is never specified, and Villette is a fictional town, set in Belgium, and modeled after Brussels. If there is one main theme, it would be Lucy's growth as a person and her ability to rely on no one but herself.
My Verdict: On the whole, there are large portions of this book where not a lot is happening. Lucy is a competent enough teacher, enjoying a quiet and somewhat lonely existence in a foreign city. There are moments when a character is introduced (or reintroduced), or some event takes place, or there is the occasional plot twist. It is only after getting over halfway through the book that things begin to come together, and that all of the details provided in the first half begin to lead to anything that can be referred to as adventure or drama. Basically, it's slog, but most lovers of Bronte will be ready for that, and some will even welcome the journey. I have mixed feelings about it, and the ending did not leave me feeling justified with how much time and effort the book required to get there.
Favorite Moment: Lucy's uppity friend Ginevra is vain, shallow, and only happy if all male attention is on her. On one particular evening, a new arrival takes some of that attention, much to Lucy's pleasure.
Favorite Character: Mrs. Bretton is Lucy's godmother and Graham's mother. She has been widowed for quite some time, but remains resolute, healthy, and stalwart throughout the entire novel. She is one of the few people in the book who is willing to be harsh with her son.
Recommended Reading: I have yet to cover Jane Eyre on this blog, but it is the more well-known Charlotte Bronte novel for a reason.
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