# Villette — Character guide

> Key figures in Villette by Charlotte Brontë.

- [Lucy Snowe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/lucy_snowe.md): The narrator and protagonist, a plain and observant Englishwoman who becomes a teacher in Villette.
- [John Graham Bretton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/john_graham_bretton.md): A handsome, kind young doctor and Lucy's childhood acquaintance, later revealed as Dr. John.
- [Madame Beck](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/madame_beck.md): The shrewd, pragmatic directress of the pensionnat where Lucy works, who secretly observes everyone.
- [M. Paul Emanuel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/m_paul_emanuel.md): A fiery, passionate professor at the pensionnat who becomes Lucy's complex friend and suitor.
- [Paulina Mary](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/paulina_mary.md): A delicate, loving young woman, daughter of Mr. Home, who later marries Dr. John.
- [Ginevra Fanshawe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/ginevra_fanshawe.md): A beautiful, flirtatious, and selfish pupil at the pensionnat who toys with men's affections.
- [Mrs. Bretton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/mrs_bretton.md): Graham's warm, sensible mother and an old friend of Lucy's family.
- [Zélie St. Pierre](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/zelie_st_pierre.md): A coquettish, lazy teacher at the pensionnat who rivals Lucy.
- [Alfred de Hamal](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/alfred_de_hamal.md): A foppish, dandyish young colonel who pursues Ginevra.
- [Mr. Home](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/mr_home.md): Paulina's devoted father, a wealthy gentleman later known as Count de Bassompierre.
- [Miss Marchmont](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/miss_marchmont.md): A wealthy, paralyzed invalid whom Lucy nurses before moving to Villette.
- [Rosine Matou](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/rosine_matou.md): The portress at Madame Beck's pensionnat, a gossipy and flirtatious woman.
- [Justine Marie Sauveur](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/justine_marie_sauveur.md): A deceased nun, former love of M. Paul, whose memory haunts the narrative.
- [Père Silas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/pere_silas.md): An old, devout Catholic priest who is M. Paul's confessor and influence.
- [Josef Emanuel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/josef_emanuel.md): M. Paul's stern, pious brother, a Jesuit priest.
- [Madame Walravens](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/madame_walravens.md): A tiny, witch-like old woman who is the grandmother of Justine Marie.
- [Dr. Pillule](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/dr_pillule.md): A pompous, rival physician to Dr. John in Villette.
- [Fifine Beck](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/fifine_beck.md): One of Madame Beck's young daughters, a lively child.
- [Georgette Beck](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/georgette_beck.md): Madame Beck's youngest daughter, a delicate and sickly child.
- [Désirée Beck](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/desiree_beck.md): Another of Madame Beck's daughters, described as amiable.
- [Mrs. Cholmondeley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/mrs_cholmondeley.md): A fashionable Englishwoman living in Villette, an acquaintance of Ginevra.
- [Harriet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/harriet.md): A servant or attendant in the Bretton household.
- [Frank](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/frank.md): A young man mentioned in passing, possibly a servant or minor acquaintance.
- [Isabelle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/isabelle.md): A pupil at the pensionnat, briefly mentioned.
- [Mrs. Hurst](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/mrs_hurst.md): A minor acquaintance of Lucy's in England.
- [Lady Sara](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/lady_sara.md): A noblewoman mentioned in connection with Ginevra's social circle.
- [Mrs. Sweeny](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/mrs_sweeny.md): A loud, vulgar Irishwoman who boards at the same house as Lucy in London.
- [Messieurs Boissec and Rochemorte](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/messieurs_boissec_rochemorte.md): Two pedantic, rival professors at the pensionnat.
- [Augusta](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/augusta.md): A pupil at the pensionnat, briefly mentioned.
- [Louise Vanderkelkov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/louise_vanderkelkov.md): A pupil at the pensionnat, briefly mentioned.
- [Heinrich Mühler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/heinrich_muhler.md): A German musician or composer mentioned in passing.
- [Mr. Jones](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/mr_jones.md): A minor English acquaintance mentioned in passing.
- [Mr. Wilson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/mr_wilson.md): A minor character, possibly a tradesman.
- [Miss Turner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/miss_turner.md): A minor acquaintance of Lucy's in England.
- [Angélique](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/angelique.md): A pupil at the pensionnat, briefly mentioned.
- [Blanche de Melcy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/blanche_de_melcy.md): A fashionable young lady at the concert.
- [Paul Carl David Emanuel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters/paul_carl_david_emanuel.md): M. Paul's full name, mentioned in a letter.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/villette_se/characters