Character guide

Lucy Snowe

major

Also known as Miss Snowe, Miss Lucy, Mistress Snowe, Mademoiselle Lucy, Mademoiselle Lucie, Meess Lucie, Proud Lucy, Dear Lucy

The narrator and protagonist, a plain and observant Englishwoman who becomes a teacher in Villette.

John Graham Bretton

major

Also known as Graham, Dr. John, Dr. John Graham Bretton, young Bretton, Bretton, John Bretton

A handsome, kind young doctor and Lucy's childhood acquaintance, later revealed as Dr. John.

Madame Beck

major

Also known as Beck, Madame

The shrewd, pragmatic directress of the pensionnat where Lucy works, who secretly observes everyone.

M. Paul Emanuel

major

Also known as M. Paul, Paul, M. Emanuel, Professor Emanuel, Monsieur Paul, Monsieur Emanuel

A fiery, passionate professor at the pensionnat who becomes Lucy's complex friend and suitor.

Paulina Mary

major

Also known as Polly, Paulina Home de Bassompierre, little Polly, Miss de Bassompierre, Modeste Maria Beck

A delicate, loving young woman, daughter of Mr. Home, who later marries Dr. John.

Ginevra Fanshawe

supporting

Also known as Miss Ginevra Fanshawe, Miss Fanshawe, Ginevra, Fanshawe, Ginevra Laura De Hamal

A beautiful, flirtatious, and selfish pupil at the pensionnat who toys with men's affections.

Mrs. Bretton

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Bretton, Louisa Bretton

Graham's warm, sensible mother and an old friend of Lucy's family.

Zélie St. Pierre

supporting

Also known as Mademoiselle St. Pierre, The St. Pierre, St. Pierre

A coquettish, lazy teacher at the pensionnat who rivals Lucy.

Alfred de Hamal

supporting

Also known as Colonel de Hamal, de Hamal, M. de Hamal, M. le Comte de Hamal

A foppish, dandyish young colonel who pursues Ginevra.

Mr. Home

supporting

Also known as M. de Bassompierre, de Bassompierre, Count de Bassompierre

Paulina's devoted father, a wealthy gentleman later known as Count de Bassompierre.

Miss Marchmont

minor

A wealthy, paralyzed invalid whom Lucy nurses before moving to Villette.

Rosine Matou

minor

Also known as Rosine, Poor Rosine

The portress at Madame Beck's pensionnat, a gossipy and flirtatious woman.

Justine Marie Sauveur

minor

Also known as Justine Marie, Marie, Sauveur

A deceased nun, former love of M. Paul, whose memory haunts the narrative.

Père Silas

minor

Also known as Silas

An old, devout Catholic priest who is M. Paul's confessor and influence.

Josef Emanuel

minor

Also known as M. Josef Emanuel, M. Josef, Josef, Joseph

M. Paul's stern, pious brother, a Jesuit priest.

Madame Walravens

minor

Also known as Walravens, old Madame Walravens, Malevola

A tiny, witch-like old woman who is the grandmother of Justine Marie.

Dr. Pillule

minor

Also known as Pillule

A pompous, rival physician to Dr. John in Villette.

Fifine Beck

minor

Also known as Fifine

One of Madame Beck's young daughters, a lively child.

Georgette Beck

minor

Also known as Georgette, little Georgette

Madame Beck's youngest daughter, a delicate and sickly child.

Désirée Beck

minor

Also known as Désirée

Another of Madame Beck's daughters, described as amiable.

Mrs. Cholmondeley

minor

A fashionable Englishwoman living in Villette, an acquaintance of Ginevra.

Harriet

minor

A servant or attendant in the Bretton household.

Sylvie

minor

Also known as little Sylvie

M. Paul's pet dog, a small spaniel.

Frank

minor

A young man mentioned in passing, possibly a servant or minor acquaintance.

Isabelle

minor

A pupil at the pensionnat, briefly mentioned.

Goton

minor

A servant or cook at the pensionnat.

Mrs. Hurst

minor

A minor acquaintance of Lucy's in England.

Warren

minor

A servant in the Bretton household.

Mrs. Barrett

minor

A housekeeper or landlady in London.

Lady Sara

minor

A noblewoman mentioned in connection with Ginevra's social circle.

Mrs. Sweeny

minor

Also known as the intolerable Mrs. Sweeny

A loud, vulgar Irishwoman who boards at the same house as Lucy in London.

Madame de Hamal

minor

Also known as Madame la Comtesse de Hamal

Alfred de Hamal's mother, a countess.

Messieurs Boissec and Rochemorte

minor

Also known as Boissec, Rochemorte

Two pedantic, rival professors at the pensionnat.

Miret

minor

Also known as M. Miret

A shopkeeper or tradesman in Villette.

Martha

minor

A servant in the Bretton household.

Augusta

minor

A pupil at the pensionnat, briefly mentioned.

Madame Panache

minor

A dressmaker or milliner in Villette.

Louise Vanderkelkov

minor

A pupil at the pensionnat, briefly mentioned.

Heinrich Mühler

minor

Also known as one Heinrich Mühler

A German musician or composer mentioned in passing.

Mr. Jones

minor

Also known as one Jones

A minor English acquaintance mentioned in passing.

Mr. Wilson

minor

A minor character, possibly a tradesman.

Miss Turner

minor

A minor acquaintance of Lucy's in England.

Angélique

minor

A pupil at the pensionnat, briefly mentioned.

Blanche de Melcy

minor

Also known as Mademoiselle de Melcy

A fashionable young lady at the concert.

Victor Kint

minor

Also known as M. Victor Kint

A friend or colleague of M. Paul's.

Paul Carl David Emanuel

minor

Also known as Paul Carl, Carl David

M. Paul's full name, mentioned in a letter.