Villette

Main Characters and Their Development

• Lucy Snowe appears to the reader as a reserved heroine, deeply sensitive yet forced to hide her emotions beneath a veil of self-control and modesty. Her inner world is rich and complex: she journeys from a repressed, lonely orphan to a woman capable of deep love, self-sacrifice, and independence. In her character, strength of spirit and vulnerability are intertwined, and Lucy’s development is a gradual revelation of her true nature, overcoming fears and attaining inner freedom. Paulina Mary Bretton embodies tenderness and devotion; her coming of age is marked by a transition from childlike spontaneity to mature, sincere love and loyalty. Graham Bretton, initially frivolous and charming, gradually acquires emotional depth, learning to distinguish true attachment from superficial infatuation. Paul Emanuel is passionate, conflicted, yet noble; his inner turmoil and struggle between duty and feeling become one of the most dramatic aspects of the narrative. Each character in «Villette» is revealed through trials, overcoming inner barriers and attaining genuine humanity.