Author Description

<p>Charlotte Bronte's 1853 novel Villette chronicles Lucy Snowe's journey as she grows from a protected girl to a lonely young woman, until she finds her place in the world. The novel opens with Lucy's visits to her godmother, Mrs. Bretton, as a child. During Lucy's last visit, a little girl Paulina Home also comes to stay at the Brettons' house and she develops a close relationship with Mrs. Bretton's son, Graham, before being called back to her father's side.</p><p>In the time that passes since Lucy's last visit with the Brettons, Lucy is left alone in the world. She doesn't reveal much about her past, but the friends and family she had as a child, represented by her visits to the Brettons, are gone. Lucy is left wandering in search of a home, and she travels first to London and then to Villette. This trip demonstrates how napve and unprepared Lucy is for life alone. You arrive in the city of Villette, in France, without luggage and with little money. Lost and frightened, she wanders the streets and stumbles upon Madame Beck's school on Rue Fossette, where she is given a job as a housekeeper. Madame Beck sees Lucy's potential and urges her to resume English lessons at school. Although this position offers Lucy a respectable means of providing for herself, she is alone in school and she feels there is nothing to expect. Lucy becomes depressed and when she is left alone during the holidays she starts wandering around the city. After visiting a church, where she confides in Pire Silas, a priest, Lucy passes out in a strange neighborhood.</p><p>Lucy wakes up and finds herself in a strangely familiar room. She realizes that she is in the company of her old friends of hers, the Brettons. After their happy reunion, the Brettons become friends with Lucy and care for her as she recovers from her illness. The prospect of a friendship with the Brettons, especially Graham Bretton, is important to Lucy, as she adds companionship and variety to her suffocated life. This friends