Villette | Themes
Lucy Snowe's (the name may be viewed as symbolic of the lack of warmth in her nature) problems have been "diagnosed" in various ways by expert readers— in fact, until depth psychology became established, Villette, while meeting with popular success, underwent severe criticism for its unrelieved grimness. Two of the most vocal denigrators were Bronte's contemporaries, Harriet Martineau (an erstwhile friend of Charlotte Bronte), who said the work was "too painful" to read; and the renowned critic, Matthew Arnold, who found it "hideous," "disagreeable," and "convulsed." Today,...
[The entire page is 1060 words long]
Navigate
See Also:
- - Villette summary and study guide in the quickNotes.
- - Read the Villette text online.
Tell a friend about Villette at eNotes.
- Add Villette to your favorites