** spoiler alert ** Although not Charlotte Bronte's finest work, The Professor could be considered a practice run for her later - although earlier-published - novel Vilette, which runs along much the same plot course.



The Professor is interestingly the only of Bronte's major publications to be written from the perspective of a male lead: William Crimsworth. Perhaps for this reason, perhaps a little on purpose, or perhaps because I personally missed the intention, the effect is one of masculine condescencion and lack of feeling. Bronte has been noted for her strong female characters, but the slight and withdrawing, although stubborn, Mdlle. Henri written as the novel's female protagonist is someone to whom I could give only a stifled amount of respect. A determined young girl though she is, in devoting herself to Crimsworth she readily submits to him. After a bookful of referring to her interest (then husband-to-be, then husband) as "master", Mdlle. Henri eventually gains the confidence and means to establish her own school - finally, a strong, dignified and independent move, you might think. But even in this Mdlle. Henri seems to rely almost entirely on the male lead: firstly, she feels as though she must anxiously ask his permission to undertake the endeavour instead of serving her time as his devoted housewife (a fate to which I have the feeling she would have readily submitted had he said no, for she is so ready to serve him); secondly, Crimsworth, who happens to saunter into a ridiculously well-paid job in the same profession as Henri, but paid more than three times as much, has the upper hand even financially, and it is insinuated that without his income they could not build the school together; thirdly, when the school has been established and the two lovers finally become directors of their respective sexes, it is mentioned that Henri continually calls on Crimsworth to monitor, advise and guide her, as though she cannot trust her own judgement.



Apart from the clear lack of Charlotte's usual and dignified feminist zeal, the novel still holds what we all love about Bronte writing: a brilliance of style, a deep study of concience and human feeling and a clear, firm grasp of knowledge and language, combined to perfection.