Villette

Villette Character List

Lucy

Lucy Snowe, the narrator, a young English woman destitute and thrown upon the world. Like other Brontë heroines, she is educated and from the "gentle" class of society, but she is without money or family or friends, or even a happy childhood behind her.

Polly

Paulina Mary Home (later Home de Bassompierre), the distant relative of the Brettons who comes to visit during one of Lucy's stays at the house. She is younger than both Graham and Lucy, with a sensitive, coquettish, and emotionally needy personality.

Dr. John

John Graham Bretton (called Graham by Polly, Dr. John by the pensionnaires, Dr. Bretton by others), the son of Lucy's godmother Mrs. Bretton. He is a good-looking young man with auburn hair and an energetic and generally cheerful disposition. He also is a doctor in the town of Villette.

Mrs. Bretton

Lucy's godmother. The mother of John Graham Bretton. A tall, handsome, self-confident woman who dotes upon her only son.

Mr. Home

Polly's father. A scientific man who had a failed marriage to Polly's mother. Later M. de Bassompierre, upon the inheritance of a title and estates.

Mrs. Home

Polly's long-dead mother. A vain beauty who indulged herself and neglected her child. After separating from Mr. Home, she died of a cold caught after a ball. Her first name was Ginevra, and she was a sister of Ginevra Fanshawe's mother. Ginevra Fanshawe was named for her.

Miss Marchmont

A wealthy invalid lady who invites Lucy to be her paid nurse-companion.

Mrs. Barrett

The kindly old housekeeper, formerly a servant in Lucy Snowe's family home before the deaths of her family. Mrs. Barrett attempts to advise Lucy. While visiting Mrs. Barrett, Lucy gets the idea to seek her living abroad.

Ginevra Fanshawe

A fellow passenger on The Vivid during Lucy's crossing to France. She is a pupil at a school in the city of Villette. An exceedingly selfish young woman. Polly Home de Bassompierre's first cousin.

M. Paul

M. Paul Emanuel, a "master" (the name for male teacher) at Madame Beck's school. A cousin of Madame Beck.

Madame Beck

The proprietress of the school in which Lucy becomes a teacher. A heartless though outwardly kindly and very capable woman.

M. Isidore

A suitor of Ginevra Fanshawe. A name given to him by Ginevra to keep secret his identity. Isidore is Dr. John Bretton.

Trinette

The nursery-governess of Madame Beck's three children after Lucy becomes a teacher. Their bonne d'enfants.

Desiree

The eldest child of Madame Beck; a willful and destructive girl.

Fifine

The middle child of Madame Beck; a sweet and honest child.

Georgette

The youngest of Madame Beck's children.

Rosine

The portresse at Madame Beck's school.

Père Silas

The Catholic, Jesuit priest of French origin who serves as Lucy's confessor and is instrumental in saving her when she collapses on the steps of a building in the Basse-Ville. He is M. Paul's old tutor, and he tries to convert Lucy to Catholicism.

Count De Hamal

The Colonel Count De Hamal, a young man of sleek and polished Continental appearance, is a suitor of Ginevra Fanshawe. He differs greatly in appearance and manner from Dr. John.

Marie Broc

The handicapped girl whom Lucy cares for during the long vacation.

M. de Bassompierre

The new name of Mr. Home, after he inherits his dead family's title of Count and estates.

Zelie St. Pierre

A grasping, materialistic teacher at Madame Beck's. A Parisienne, she tries to become friends with Lucy, but Lucy rebuffs her.

Madame Malravens

The grandmother of M. Paul's dead fiance, Justine Marie. M. Paul supports her in a house on the Rue des Mages.

Goton

One of the maids in the house of Madame Beck. She has a particular fondness for Lucy.