Charlotte Bronte

The Professor Charlotte Bronte

The Professor by Charlotte Brontë

Orphaned at a young age, William Crimsworth was dependent on his aristocratic uncles for the formative years of his life. Desperate to break free and become self-sufficient, he rashly decides to follow in his father's footsteps and become a trader. As a result he writes to his estranged older brother, Edward Crimsworth, who appears to be a successful trader. Although Mr. E Crimsworth has no natural affection for his little brother, he gives him a position as an accounting clerk. William is very good at this job even though Edward does his best to make it unbearable for him. The misery to which William is subjected at the hands of his master does not go unnoticed by fellow trader Mr. Hunsden. Hunsden, who has a hero complex, decides to help William by having him fired from his job. The unemployed William decides to go to Belgium in search of work on the advice of Mr. Hundsen.


In Belgium, Mr W Crimsworth secures a place as an English teacher at M Pelet's boys' school. Even though he finds his Flemish students rude and ignorant, he likes to teach. He is a very good teacher and soon gets extra work teaching English in the afternoon at Miss Reuter's guesthouse. He is disappointed to find that most girls are as vulgar and unintelligent as boys, but he finds retirement time quite pleasant. It is during this time that he begins to have some affection for Mlle Reuter, however, her feeling is soon squandered once her true character is revealed. Shortly after Miss Reuter has lost favor with her, a new student joins William's class, Miss Henri who teaches lace mending at the boarding house. His curiosity about him is piqued when he discovers that his new pupil has a relatively good English accent and is showing promise. He begins to pay particular attention to her and soon finds himself entranced by her.


Unfortunately, Miss Reuter dismissed Miss Henri out of jealousy because she likes William about her. William desperately searches for the address of his favorite pupil. After a long search he had almost given up when he finds her kneeling in a cemetery of all places. He discovers that her aunt is dead, where he lives, and admits to himself that he loves her deeply. Back at school, William discovers that Mlle Reuter and M. Pelet are engaged again. He feels he can't live under the same roof as the manipulative director, so he quits his job. Unfortunately, this means that he is without any substance, which means that he cannot marry Miss Henri. He sets out to find a new job so he can marry her. With the help of Victor Vandenhuten he is able to secure a place at university as an English professor. Now employed, William asks Mlle Henri to marry him and she accepts. They later start their school and save money so that one day they can return to England. After several years they return to England and take a house in Daisy Lane where they lead a happy life with their son Victor.