Villette, published in 1853, is the last novel by Charlotte Brontë and the first published under her real name, her previous novels having been published under the name Currer Bell to conceal her identity as a female. Tracking one woman’s journey towards self-discovery against the burden of Victorian ideals, Brontë presents her most progressive and biographical work in the story of Lucy Snowe. Like Lucy, Brontë endured intense personal tragedy, having lost all her adored siblings due to illness and other circumstances before writing Villette. Brontë also worked as a governess in Germany and thus understood the protagonist’s struggle to find her place in a foreign culture. The novel was praised by George Eliot, author of Middlemarch, and later by Virginia Woolf. Though it does not enjoy the public reputation of Brontë’s most famous novel, Jane Eyre, critics and scholars often cite Villette as her greatest literary accomplishment.

Plot Summary

The narrative begins as 14-year-old Lucy Snowe visits her godmother, Mrs. Bretton, in the English countryside. Lucy, the narrator, hints that her godmother has brought her there in light of distressing events at home, but Lucy never specifies the nature of the concern. On a stormy night, young Polly Home also arrives at Bretton to stay while her bereaved father travels abroad. Polly’s mother was a negligent parent and wife, but Mr. Home is still devastated by her loss. Polly is an eccentric young girl and small in stature for her age. She does not sleep or eat regularly and only begins to assimilate when Mrs. Bretton’s 16-year-old son, John, returns home. Polly becomes attached to John, who treats her like a little wife or mother. When Polly’s father returns, Lucy sees her ardent love for and devotion to her father. Polly is sad to leave Bretton, mostly as it appears John has barely registered her departure.

Ten years pass and Lucy endures tremendous personal tragedy, but she never reveals the details of her trials. After brief employment with Miss Marchmont, a terminally ill yet wealthy spinster, Lucy decides to move from the country to a bigger city. She spends a day roaming the streets of London in awe of the urban landscape. She has heard English girls can make a profitable living employed as a governess abroad, and she sets her mind on sailing to Labassecour (a fictional country roughly analogous to Belgium). While aboard the ship, she meets Miss Ginevra Fanshawe, a vain and selfish young girl. Ginevra, sponsored by her wealthy uncle, Monsieur de Bassompierre, attends Madame Beck’s school for girls in Villette, the capital of Labassecour. Upon arriving in Labassecour and receiving directions from a handsome Englishman (later revealed to be John), Lucy seeks out Madame’s school for a chance at lodging and employment. Madame Beck is a small, strange woman who spies on her students and staff, and after consulting with her cousin and literature teacher, M. Paul Emmanuel, she agrees to hire Lucy. Lucy becomes a governess to the youngest students in the nursery and eventually a teacher. Lucy reconnects with Ginevra, who tells Lucy she is in love with a man she calls “Isidore.” When several girls become ill, the local doctor, called Dr. John, comes to the school to treat them. Lucy notices his handsome English features and kind personality. Over a school holiday, Lucy is left alone and becomes ill. After collapsing on the steps of the local church, she is taken by the priest to the home of Dr. John. Dr. John is revealed to be John Graham Bretton, now living in Villette with his mother at a chateau called La Terrasse. John is also revealed to be Ginevra’s “Isidore.” Lucy recovers at their villa and quickly develops strong feelings for John, who sends Lucy letters once she returns to the school.

John’s attachment to Ginevra fades as he sees her true character, but he only views Lucy as a friend. Ginevra is unfazed and falls for another gentleman called Colonel de Hamal, who is also a count. Battling bouts of depression and anxiety and even fearful sightings of a ghost nun, Lucy struggles through her days at Rue Fossette. On a trip to the theater, Lucy discovers that young Polly, now Paulina de Bassompierre, is visiting Villette. Now a countess due to her uncle’s inheritance, Paulina has grown into a wise and beautiful young woman. John falls for Paulina, forever ending Lucy’s hopes to win his love.

Lucy becomes increasingly close to M. Paul despite his stormy temperament. She learns he is a benevolent man who was once engaged; when his fiancée died, he moved in with her relations to care for her family. However, Madame Beck, to protect a possible inheritance abroad, attempts to thwart the two from marrying by sending M. Paul to the West Indies to manage the estate. M. Paul aids Lucy in procuring a school of her own and proposes marriage before leaving on his three-year trip. Lucy patiently awaits his return, but his ship is (likely) lost to a storm, leaving Lucy alone in the end. Ginevra marries the colonel and continues to write to Lucy. John and Paulina marry and live a happy life raising their children, and Lucy says Madame Beck and the priest also enjoy long, happy lives.