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emma_in_dreamBronte wrote a preface arguing that the book stood up on its own terms even though it was her journeyman work and had been rejected by publishers many times. I disagree.
You can see elements of Bronte’s greatness in the work. I found the descriptions of Frances’ education insightful.
But it seemed so rough to me. The character of Crimsworth was intentionally graceless in a way that was reminiscent of Rochester, but without any of the tortured coolness of Rochester. Crimsworth and Frances have the same master/servant relationship that we see in Jane Eyre - Frances cries ‘Mon maitre! Mon maitre!’ when he seeks out her lodgings.
Also, the plot is, frankly, a good deal less interesting than Bronte’s other works. I like Bronte best when she writes OTT romances. I like her least when she calls on her own experiences of quotidienne life and the tradition of realism.*
* I must confess that I had confused *The Professor* with *Villette* when I chose it. Both use Bronte’s Belgian experience, but *Villette* transforms it into something interesting.
You can see elements of Bronte’s greatness in the work. I found the descriptions of Frances’ education insightful.
But it seemed so rough to me. The character of Crimsworth was intentionally graceless in a way that was reminiscent of Rochester, but without any of the tortured coolness of Rochester. Crimsworth and Frances have the same master/servant relationship that we see in Jane Eyre - Frances cries ‘Mon maitre! Mon maitre!’ when he seeks out her lodgings.
Also, the plot is, frankly, a good deal less interesting than Bronte’s other works. I like Bronte best when she writes OTT romances. I like her least when she calls on her own experiences of quotidienne life and the tradition of realism.*
* I must confess that I had confused *The Professor* with *Villette* when I chose it. Both use Bronte’s Belgian experience, but *Villette* transforms it into something interesting.
