Villete by Charlotte Bronte

As narrator, Lucy Snowe frequently uses animal imagery, to describe other people. The frivolous and vain Ginevra Fanshawe is initially likened to a “hummingbird” and a “butterfly”, but as Lucy grows less tolerant towards her, she is prese

Images of fire also important in Villette. They are not destructive; rather they are representative of passion and vigor, and association with them becomes more pronounced as the novel unfolds. Early on in the work fire is directly associated with life, as, on the verge of death Miss Marchmont suddenly awakes and “The fire, which had been burning dead, glowed up vividly.” These images are also important for exploring Lucy’s inner feelings. She occasionally sees a “fire” in herself, but states by “the next day I was again Lucy Snowe.” When Lucy finds herself alone in the pensionnat it is very dark except for “the red light shining under and about the stove.” These suppressed flames and heat seem eager to be free; like Lucy, they are a restrained inner power. Perhaps most important is the fire which M.Paul kindles inside Lucy. He is described as a “fiery little man”, and he forces Lucy to take steps which she previ

Some topics in this essay:
Aurora Borealis, Lucy Snowe, Snowe” Lucy, Mme Beck's, Ginevra Fanshawe, Miss Marchmont, Bronte’s Villette, miss marchmont, lucy snowe, death miss, death miss marchmont,