Throughout the Victorian era, there is a challenge of rising feminism from writer such ass Charlotte Brontë and her sisters. While their lives suggests that women need to be independent, their writing tells a different story. An interesting notion, especially when applied to Charlotte Brontë’s Villette. The heroine finds herself draw to two men, Dr. John Graham Bretton and Monsieur Paul; both are dominate and masculine, but in varying ways. As she struggles to come to terms with her feelings, these men take advantage of her subordinate position and femininity. With society as a guide, the male characters in Villette display elaborate examples of masculinity through their relationships with Lucy Snowe and the way in which they woo her. During her relationship with Dr. John Graham Bretton, Lucy Snowe becomes extremely needy. Initially describing him as a “parched wayfarer” (Brontë) insinuating that Dr. John is the culprit of neediness, as he could not survive alone. Lucy stresses this point by saying he is akin to …show more content…
She esteemed him hideously plain, and used to profess herself frightened almost into hysterics at the sound of his step or voice. A dark little man he certainly was; pungent and austere. Even to me he seemed a harsh apparition.” (Brontë) Lucy says this, as she thinks of Monsieur Paul as aggressive, and at times otherworldly. As Lucy Snowe harbors such strong feelings for these men, they take advantage of her plight of womanhood and her place in society, suggesting that the balance of power is lost in Brontë’s novel. With society as a guiding force, masculinity dominates Villette as both Dr. John and Monsieur Paul make Lucy vulnerable. Lucy claims to be independent and self-serving, yet she relies on the men in her life to ease her anxiety. At the same time, the men are dependent upon Lucy to feel