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Have Read Villette By Charlotte Bronte?
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People say it's way better than Jane Eyre. I've read the first 50 pages of Villette and I feel like it can't give me the pleasure Jane Eyre gave me while I was reading it. What are your thoughts on it? How do you compare it to Jane Eyre?
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Atheist, to put this into a little context, Jane (who is poor and plain and harbours unspoken love for Mr Rochester) works as a governess to his young ward and is under the impression that he is about to marry the beautiful butterfly of a socialite, Miss Ingram. When he informs her of his plan to pack her off to a job in Ireland, this is her response.
//“Do you think I am an automaton? — a machine without feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! — I have as much soul as you — and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh: it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God’s feet, equal — as we are!”//
Of course, in order to get a real feel of the relationship between Jane and Rochester, reading the whole book is essential. For me it is an emotional experience.
//“Do you think I am an automaton? — a machine without feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! — I have as much soul as you — and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh: it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God’s feet, equal — as we are!”//
Of course, in order to get a real feel of the relationship between Jane and Rochester, reading the whole book is essential. For me it is an emotional experience.
I am grateful that naomi mentioned this thread in an aside on another thread. It has reminded me that I never gave 'Villette' a fair chance because when I read it, some 50 years ago, my French wasn't up to scratch and I gave up on those bits. It is going down on my reading list for this winter, thanks. I do recall that she wrote it having had an unhappy time abroad. I used to live not very far from Howarth, so had a general interest as well as a literary one.
Thanks again. I also did not feel it stood up to Jane Eyre, but I'll see how I feel after a re-read.
Thanks again. I also did not feel it stood up to Jane Eyre, but I'll see how I feel after a re-read.
Naomi; I think the passage you quoted is very good, although far from the 'realistic' sort of dialogue we have today. You're right about the need to read the book in its entirety to form a view of the whole thing, plot development etc.
Need... how are you getting on with your reading? Are you still with it?
Need... how are you getting on with your reading? Are you still with it?
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