A critical study of Charlotte Bronte's "The Professor" with special consideration of its relation to previous novels

Abstract

The first chapter describes early attempts to publish The Professor, and the circumstances of its eventual publication, The preparation and sales of the first edition are described; verbal inaccuracies and misrepresentation of the author's capitalisation are criticised. A list of later editions is given. The MSS of the Preface and novel are studied and interesting cancellations noted. Other alterations are found to illuminate Charlotte Brontë's attitude to characters and themes, and her care to attain accurate expression. The aim of the second chapter is to analyse the themes and method of The Professor. The statement of major themes is found to be impaired by structural and technical faults in narration, but the use of natural description and of imagery is regarded as a considerable artistic achievement. Social and religious aspects of The Professor are considered, and their contribution to its realism shown. The Professor is the first of Charlotte Brontë's attempts to escape from the stereotype of the 'standard hero'. The third chapter therefore snows the persistence of the Richardsonian 'gentleman-hero' in the novels of Scott, Lytton, Mrs. Gore and Disraeli and the 'fashionable novels generally. But the use of working middle-class heroes is noted in the work of Miss Martineau, Thackeray and Dickens. Fictional traditions of the teacher are examined, the recurrence of the master-pupil situation noted, and its use, especially in Sir Charles Grandison and Consuelo, regarded as a possible influence on The Professor. Chapter Four attempts to explain the differences between The Professor and Villette. Increased skill in narration is attributed mainly to the change in viewpoint. William is com-pared with Monsieur Paul, and the influence of acquaintance with Thackeray noted. The imagery is analysed and its sombre nature attributed to Charlotte Brontë's experiences and to her editing of Wuthering Heights after the death of Emily. Finally social aspects of villette are considered.