Brontë Week: The Professor, by Charlotte Brontë

[@radiantchristina]

I ADORED the Professor. So lovely.

[@LutherStarling]

I've just started reading 'The Professor', having recently finished and enjoyed 'Shirley'. Many thanks for this review. So far, I'm really enjoying 'The Professor' and especially Charlotte Bronte's use of English, always such a delight.

[@katiejlumsden]

I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it :)

[@richardbenitez7803]

I read mostly 19th century lit primarily to get a feel for life and times: class interaction, life of the lower classes, rural poverty, sentiments, religious conceptualizations (how it differs from today). The plot is almost secondary. For these reasons i love russian literation. And, for these reasons, i am just so-so on Jane Austen. My 1st venture to any Brontë sisters is “The Professor”. I am totally pleased by Charlotte Bronte’s insights, characterizations and beautiful writing style. As said in this video, i am totally enjoying the elaborate sensibilities regarding work and class standing. I’m just so impressed. Nice review of this book. (From States)

[@katiejlumsden]

If you liked The Professor, there are many very exciting Bronte novels for you to get to next :)

[@CaribouOrange]

Unless I missed it, I'd like to thank you for not complaining about the extensive amount of French is her work. It's sad to see so many complain of it, as I personally feel it adds to her creations.

[@katiejlumsden]

I think I probably warned people about it in my review of Villette - it doesn't bother me, but good to go in armed with a dictionary!

[@dodo1671]

I've just finished the professor. I liked it. The problem that I have with this book is that the British are portrayed as more honest and hard working than the Belgians. Thank you for the advice. I'll try villette next!

[@katiejlumsden]

Ah yes, the casual racism of the Victorians... I don't /think/ Villette is so harsh on non-British people, although some of the religious judgements between different schools of Christianity do get a bit problematic.

[@richardbenitez7803]

Charlotte also thinks british christians are better than Belgian Christians apparently. But, i forgive her.

[@nowvoyaging8881]

I am so excited!! I have only read Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre but I have Shirley and Villette and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall so I can't wait to hear your thoughts this week!

[@katiejlumsden]

+Now Voyaging I hope you enjoy it. I reread Tenant of Wildfell Hall recently and I have so many thoughts I'm probably going to have to make another video on it as well as the one later this week. And I recommend Villette a thousand times over :)

[@mf12060825]

Just finished The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, very entertaining and easy on the eyes! Alot of drama in it, drinking, abuse, adultry, lust, and passion..

[@unholymetaphor]

I'm so happy I found this page!

[@katiejlumsden]

Thank you :)

[@KJ-yh9uy]

i have read half way through the professor and put it down, but this video has convinced me to re read it . great video :)

[@katiejlumsden]

Thank you, that's great to hear! I hope you enjoy it :)

[@TheNovelNomad]

I just purchased a lovely copy of Vilette so I am happy to hear your recommendation, I am loving all things Bronte at the moment.

[@katiejlumsden]

+The Novel Nomad Thanks :) Villette is incredible, so I hope you enjoy it.

[@asmkamruzzahan5697]

Beautifully explained. Thanks

[@uuilson]

Professor, such a general word in Belgium

[@mandavimishra5893]

The professor was so beautiful a story!! I read it in class 8 Thank God I was introduced to reading for leisure !!❤

[@katiejlumsden]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

[@LutherStarling]

Looking forward to reading 'The Professor'. As a teacher, I loved 'Villette'.

[@katiejlumsden]

I can imagine!

[@LiteraryGladiators]

I own The Professor and Villette by Charlotte Bronte, so I guess I am in line with the idea of the individual traveling and becoming a teacher. I will probably begin with The Professor, but perhaps it will lead me to develop an opinion that becomes downgraded after Villette... I am not sure. It sounds very similar to The Stranger and A Happy Death, written by Albert Camus, where A Happy Death came off as a much more structured, traditional version of The Stranger, which was far more meaningless and existential, but clearly the brilliant work that defined Camus' writing career. Thank you for your information about this novel, for it will give me an idea of what to expect and how to approach it when I get around to reading it! -Josh

[@katiejlumsden]

+Literary Gladiators I would say you're probably more likely to enjoy the Professor if you read it before Villette. I really must read some Albert Camus - I hear so many book things about the Stranger.

[@LiteraryGladiators]

I guess that would be a fine way to conduct things. I would say The Stranger is the one Camus novel that I would highly recommend. The others are just okay.

[@elisasantos2864]

I will definitly check this out. I quite like Charlotte Bronte, but i have only read Jane Eyre, which i loved.

[@katiejlumsden]

+maria santos If you liked Jane Eyre, I really do recommend her other novels - she was such a talented writer :)

[@Fortheloveofclassics]

I am about to start "The Professor" soon and this video helped loads. Thank you!

[@katiejlumsden]

I hope you enjoy it!! Have you read Villette?

[@Fortheloveofclassics]

No, I haven't. I have only read Jane Eyre by Charlotte. I am done with Ann and Emile's works.

[@katiejlumsden]

It's great to read the Professor and then Villette, I think, as they share a lot of themes and you can kind of see how Villette is like a more in-depth later version of the Professor, which I enjoy.

[@Fortheloveofclassics]

Thank you Katie!

[@victoriahoyle-publichistor6986]

This is the only Bronte book I haven't read, and you've made me want to drop everything and pick it up. I'm really fascinated by power and how power is gendered in Charlotte's work and it would be really interesting to know how The Professor mirrors or not the dynamics in Vilette, given the similar setting. If I had to chose my least favourite Bronte book it would definitely be Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte. I know lots of people on booktube love that novel but I thought it was the most chaste and self abnegating slice of boredom.

[@katiejlumsden]

+Victoria Hoyle I do recommend it, especially if you've read and enjoyed Villette. The narrator of The Professor reminds me in a glorious way of M. Paul :) Yes, I too have been surprised by how many people on Booktube adore Agnes Grey. I'm fond of it, but for me it's not a patch on Tenant of Wildfell Hall!

[@laraelwing]

I have only read Jane Eyre by the Bronte sisters... I do own a copy of Villette, because I heard it is a gem. I am curious to see how high up on your rank it stands ;)

[@katiejlumsden]

+laraelwing I certainly do recommend Villette - I hope you like it :)

[@michaeldugan3589]

Miss Charlotte does indeed run with it in Villette ( my favourite of Miss Charlotte's) and Shirley. Love the political undertones.

[@katiejlumsden]

+Michael Dugan I certainly enjoy the political undertones of Shirley as well :)

[@chaucerflanders7918]

I love you and I love the professor

[@AfizaAzmee]

Ah...but Villete has a sad (or uncertain) ending. I was actually introduced to Charlotte Bronte through The Professor and thus, this novel has a special place in my heart.

[@katiejlumsden]

I do rather enjoy the ending of Villette - I wish I'd read the Professor before Villette!

[@LutherStarling]

Yes, the ending of VIllette was very 'postmodern' wasn't it? YOu were left wondering whether Monsieur Paul got back safely to Lucy and whether she had her 'happy ever after' ... Loved 'Villette'. Am now reading 'Shirley'. This vlog is excellent, I've just discovered it. I have a blog at fromlocaltolingo.blogspot.ie and am on independent.academia.edu/KieranODriscoll where I've uploaded some articles on literary translation. I love the nineteenth century, both for French and English literature. Your vlogs are really enthusiastic and very well-informed, enthusiastic reviews - you are a true professor of English literature. Thanks for these vlogs and keep up the good work! Very best wishes, from Kieran, Dublin, Ireland.

[@CarolynsReadingRamblings]

I am sad that I think I won't actually get to Villette in time for her birthday anniversary because I am more focused on finishing current books I have started right now but I definitely want to read it first thing in May. Based on previous videos I am gonna make a prediction of Villette is your number 1, Wuthering Heights 2, Jane Eyre 3? I know you have said you like Wuthering Heights but I can't remember your thoughts on Jane Eyre so I didn't know which to put first lol. As for Shirley and Agnes Grey I have no idea which will be in what spot. Excellent video as always :)

[@katiejlumsden]

+BBCgirl520 The top three are correct but in the wrong order :P I really do recommend Villette though - it is such a brilliant novel :)

[@CarolynsReadingRamblings]

+Books and Things lol I think that happened last time with Dickens too. All 3 are in the wrong order or just 2 and 3?

[@katiejlumsden]

The third is correct :P

[@CarolynsReadingRamblings]

+Books and Things *gasp* but Katie do you know what that means? We are on opposite sides regarding Wuthering Heights! lol that's OK, that is half the fun of book buddies, we can disagree and still get along :)

[@katiejlumsden]

Shock horror! But alas, Wuthering Heights does divide so many book-lovers :P

[@JenniferDoucette]

Darn it! Now I have to read this one before Villette! 😬 🙂

[@katiejlumsden]

+Jennifer LeBlanc Well I think I probably enjoyed The Professor less for having read Villette first, so I do recommend reading The Professor first :)

[@JenniferDoucette]

+Books and Things That makes sense based on what you said. I have procured the ebook! 😀

[@katiejlumsden]

Hoorah, I hope you enjoy it :)

[@Fortheloveofclassics]

Reading "The Professor" before "Villette" seems like the way to go.

[@MariaFernandaRibeiro4]

Your review is great. But... Could you speak slower? It seems that you don't even breath. Sometimes it's hard to hear.

[@Ivyrus66677]

I've just read this book. It was okay, but nothing special in my opinion. Not really interesting.

[@lisahodges8299]

Too fast to take in. Otherwise enjoyed the content. Birdy

[@criskatan]

I disagree that the aristocracy became idealistic hard working folks. My dad and uncle maybe, but they're in the minority!!