Villette · Character

Mr. Home

Paulina's devoted father, a wealthy English gentleman who later emerges as the Count de Bassompierre, his fortunes and affections shaping his daughter's world.

supporting

Also known as M. de Bassompierre, de Bassompierre, Count de Bassompierre

First appearance: Paulina

As a supporting figure in Villette, Mr. Home is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Polly's father; a sensitive, scientific man of mixed French and Scottish origin, grieving his wife's death and traveling for health.

In the storyBrettonOpen this moment free

See Mr. Home in Bretton Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Mr. Home is a man of means and feeling whose return to his daughter Paulina restores her to a life of comfort and status as the Count de Bassompierre. His devotion to her is absolute, and his wealth and position give her a social standing that quietly reshapes the circles around Lucy Snowe. He matters because his reappearance turns Paulina from a lonely child into an heiress — and because his paternal love sets a standard of tenderness the novel keeps testing.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Mr. Home sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mr. Home in Paulina

Character Web

15 connections

A slice of how Mr. Home sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Major characters and family
Background and supporting characters

+10 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this passage, the emotional peak occurs when Lucy Snowe, after briefly believing she has achieved "Freedom…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

In the story

Mr. Home appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Bretton
Polly's father; a sensitive, scientific man of mixed French and Scottish origin, grieving his wife's death and traveling for health.
Paulina
Paulina's father, a stern-featured but affectionate man who shares a deep bond with his daughter.
The Playmates
Paulina's father; he stays two days, sits by the fireside in a morbid mood, and allows Paulina to sit on his knee while she works on a keepsake handkerchief.
London
The father of the young girl on the packet ship; he scrutinizes the passengers before leaving his daughter to travel alone.
M. de Bassompierre
Referred to as M. de Bassompierre, Ginevra's uncle, who has recently arrived in Villette with his daughter.
The Little Countess
Count de Bassompierre; brings Paulina to school, later returns with Dr. Bretton through the snow.
A Burial
Paulina's father; regards her as a child; invites savants to dinner; notices Paulina's shyness with Graham.
The First Letter
Paulina's father, Count de Bassompierre; present during the riding encounter and unaware of the correspondence.
Sunshine
Paulina's father, initially unaware of the relationship but begins to observe and meditate on his daughter's happiness.
The Happy Pair
M. de Bassompierre; pursues the fugitives but arrives too late; negotiates Ginevra's dowry.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Home unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. Home in Paulina

See Mr. Home in Bretton