The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

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The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
Anne Brontë
1848

The Summary
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall reveals the story of the mysterious Helen Graham, a young female artist who has inhabited the lonely manor of Wildfell Hall with her young son.

Narrated in part by Gilbert Markham, a local farmer who finds himself enamored with the lovely newcomer, and by Helen Graham herself, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall uncovers the extent to which violence, abuse, excess, and tyranny were accepted in marriage and society - and the extreme measures one woman will take in protecting her child and declaring her own independence.

The Good
Anne Brontë creates an excellent novel with The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.  Besides investigating a topic rarely discussed in Victorian society - and causing quite a stir for her choice - Brontë crafts an amazing and compelling story that is sure to capture your attention.

Between the intimate glimpses into Helen's diary and Gilbert's candid confessions, this novel also presents an interesting set of characters who easily become immediate literary favorites.  Their emotions are raw, their thoughts are intimately depicted to the reader, their actions are occasionally impulsive, and their reasoning is sometimes flawed.

Both exist as imperfect individuals, which makes them all the more human and all the more precious.

The Bad
Gilbert plays a crucial role in the novel and he has his own merits as a kind, honorable man, especially when compared to some of the other, less savory individuals depicted; however, he generally pales in comparison to the brutal honesty and emotional stamina of Helen Graham.

Although he claims full and unfaltering loyalty to Helen, Gilbert frequently succumbs to the pressures of society.  Despite the love he confesses to have for her, he's a man very much shaped by gossip and social expectations - and, yes, his mother.  As such, he often seems to fall into the habit of embracing gender stereotypes and double standards, which make him appear frustratingly small-minded and narrow.

The Ugly
In her novel, Brontë doesn't shy away from even the most disturbing and unsavory subjects.  Emotional abuse, alcoholism, illicit sexual affairs, cruelty and violence, and much more appear within the pages of Helen's diary, as she reveals her history to Gilbert.  Certain parts of her confession may even break your heart, including her husband's apparent neglect of their marriage or her own child's passionate disregard.

It's a candid portrayal of a marriage on its worst terms, and Brontë isn't afraid to let the worst shine through.