Emotional Synchrony of the Narrator and Readers in Villette

Abstract

The aim of this study is to reveal how emotional synchrony between a narrator and readers is created. In “Villette”, by Charlotte Brontë, the stream of the narrator’s consciousness often goes ahead that of the young heroine’s, causing the narration to become distorted and, in a sense, unjust and insincere to readers. However, contrary to practical wisdom, such premature narrative succeeds in drawing readers into an emotional synchrony with the narrator. Emotional synchrony in the novel occurs in three configurations: between young Lucy and old Lucy (the narrator who is recollecting the past), young Lucy and the readers, and old Lucy and the readers. The blending of the three can make the novel seem too complicated and chaotic. Ultimately, however, this characteristic is not a failure but an unrecognized means of defiance, exposing the narrator’s inner emotions and true feelings and allowing readers to unconsciously emotionally synchronize with the narrator.