Charlotte Brontë's 1852 novel "Villette" tells the story of Lucy Snowe as she travels from England to France to work at a school for girls. The psychologically penetrating novel is less well-known than "Jane Eyre", but is frequently considered Charlotte Brontë's best work.
In "Villette", Brontë once again tells the story from the point of view of an autobiographical narrator, Lucy Snowe. The novel follows her story, the story of a young English girl with a tragic past. At the start, Lucy is just fourteen years old and lives in the English countryside with her godmother. Lucy eventually leaves England for Villette and finds work at a boarding school for girls.
She falls in love with Dr. John, a young and handsome English doctor who does not return her affections. Lucy is very hurt by this, but deeply values his friendship. Dr. John eventually marries an acquaintance of Lucy's.
Lucy meets another man at the school named Monsieur Paul Emanuel. M. Paul is a very good teacher, but he is somewhat controlling and critical when it comes to Lucy. However, he does begin to show her kindness and expresses interest in both her mind and her heart.
M. Paul arranges for Lucy to become the headmistress of her own school before setting sail to Guadalupe to do missionary work. The two agree to marry upon his return, but. . .
