first I must (since I haven't done so before now) throw out there that it is very nice to be aware of small changes that have taken place in the English language between now and Bronte's time. otherwise one might be confounded when somewhat puritanical characters publicly speak of "making love" etc. the changes are not so great as between now and Shakespeare's time (wherefore art thou Romeo = why are you Romeo? not where are you, Romeo? and silly = innocent and deserving of compassion, not a dingbat; and wit = knowledge, not just clever funny sayings) but they can throw you off if you are unaware.
second I say that it is also very nice to be aware of events in Bronte's life, as much of her work is either autobiographical or at least stems from direct experience. in Villette, a young (English) country girl makes her way to the Continent, to live in the city as a teacher. I knew before hand that Charlotte herself attended and later taught at a school in Belgium for a number of years, and her few visits to London did include watching an Opera, and I was already interested in what she would write of that.
third... I like Shirley better; Shirley was more well-rounded and seamless. Villette is engaging but seems quite disjointed. the main character, Lucy Snowe, does not tell all about her life, and only the interesting bits are relayed, with some gaps in between, and even then I know there are interesting bits that she just never revealed. what happened exactly in the past, in her childhood, to which she often and vaguely refers? I guess we just won't know, as she never says. it's none of our business yet she will taunt us with it. in terms of the basic story, it is as if Lucy is just being mischievous for not telling us certain things and keeping us in suspense, or not letting on that she knows something that the reader (or, indeed, the other characters) would expect her to mention. and (I'm not sure I can forgive her for it) , there is no ending. she takes you right up to the ending, and then says oh it looks like it might not happen after all, but I will just stop here so that the reader can imagine it whichever way they choose. bah!
I do forgive her for it, because I know what she was going through at this time of her life, but I know she could have done better and that disappoints me. I can forgive the author, but I don't think I can forgive the work.
I still say you should read it though; it is still engaging in its own way. Bronte not at her best is better than many others. I am puzzled by the main character, but also by a Mr. Paul Emmanuel. and the first time I saw the name Dr. John, I did a double-take, thinking that St. John had wormed his way back in there somehow! no, I guess he's in India or somewhere, not France, thank God. Bronte turned her talent more towards describing the people in this story, and there was not near as much about nature or weather. the people were interesting, but again just not as interesting (to me) as (or maybe just more at odds with me than) the characters of Shirley.
the story does have a ghost, though. as well as some very witty passages (esp the exchanges between Dr. John and his mother, and esp the turban). and a most awesome quote!
quotes:
so peril, loneliness, an uncertain future, are not oppressive evils, so long as the frame is healthy and the faculties are employed; so long, especially, as Liberty lends us her wings and Hope guides us by her star. (800)
got all the above except the wings; Liberty must be off lunching with Human Justice (1000)... I've tried substituting a cape, but with mixed results.
Wise, firm, faithless; secret, crafty, passionless; watchful and inscrutable; acute and insensate---withal perfectly decorous---what more could be desired? (811)
that could almost be discussing the Guild
"Shall I do?" was her question.
"Do?" said I. "There are different ways of doing; and, by my word, I don't understand yours." (818)
not a living thing save herself was in the room, except indeed some gold fish in a glass globe, some flowers in pots, and a broad July sunbeam. (827)
"Who is inthe wrong, then, Lucy?"
"Me---Dr. John---me; and a great abstraction on whose wide shoulders I like to lay the mountains of blame they were sculpted to bear: me and Fate."
" 'Me' must take better care in future..." (874)
here is the most awesome quote:
No mockery in this world ever sounds to me so hollow as that of being told to cultivate happiness. What does such advice mean? Happiness is not a potato, to be planted in mould, and tilled with manure. Happiness is a glory shining far down upon us out of Heaven. She is a divine dew which the soul, on certain of its summer mornings, feels dropping upon it from the amarnth bloom and the golden fruitage of Paradise. (912)
yes, indeed my friends, Happiness is no potato!
I should give it a 4 just for that quote!
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