The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

(1847)

Let it not be imagined, however, that I consider myself competent to reform the errors and abuses of society, but only that I would fain contribute my humble quota towards so good an aim; and if I can gain the public ear at all, I would rather whisper a few wholesome truths therein than much soft nonsense.--from the Author's Preface

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Outstanding feminist and realistic novel that had phenomenal success. Unfortunately, that success was short. It ended by Anne's death and Charlotte's prevention of re-publication. A mysterious widow, Mrs. Helen Graham arrives at Wildfell Hall, a nearby old mansion. A source of curiosity for the small community, the reticent Helen and her young son Arthur are slowly drawn into the social circles of the village. Initially, Gilbert Markham casually courts Eliza Millward, despite his mother's belief that he can do better. His interest in Eliza wanes as he comes to know Mrs. Graham...--Submitted by Julie Cat

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Narrative Technique

Hello everybody, I would like your opinion about the narrator of the tenant of wildfell hall. I actually think the narrator is Helen, as 3/4 of the novel is her diary. And the fact that Gilbert is who introduces the story and ends it is a way Bronte used to show us that a woman's live in the victorian age was completely dominated by a man. What do you think? Thanks in advance!!!

Posted By Bea.Repiso at Tue 27 Dec 2011, 1:14 PM in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall || 0 Replies

Help would be very gratefully recieved!

I have got a coursework question and I am really struggling with it. It is : Analyse the representation of the female artist in ANY ONE OR TWO novel(s) studied on this course. I have chosen Tenant of wildfell hall, would anyone be able to give me some hints/tips! Thanks Lucy

Posted By lucydavies1989 at Tue 13 May 2008, 9:37 AM in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall || 3 Replies

Incomplete Online Etexts

One note to those reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall electronic texts online. All of the electronic texts that I have seen online (including the text available at this site) omit what is essentially the first chapter of the novel. The novel is constructed as though it was a series of letters from Markham to Halford. The portion omitted from the online texts is Markham's initial letter to Halford that informs the reader about Markham's relationship with Halford and why Markham is initiating this autobiography of his life prior to his introduction to Halford. Thus, in a sense, the letter to Halford comprises the first chapter of Anne Bronte's novel. What is presented in the online texts as "Chapter 1" is an invention of the narrator Markham. Markham indicates to Halford that he will tell Halford about his prior history and that he will begin with "chapter 1" because the telling of his story will comprise many chapters. The chapters are presented in the book as though they are Markham's creation rather than Anne Bronte's, which is why the book begins prior to chapter 1. The explanation for why the online texts omit part of the text of the novel is possibly twofold. Novels (or all books really) normally begin with chapter one. If the author has relevant material prior to chapter one that material usually has a heading such as "introduction" or "explanation" etc. Anne Bronte does indeed have an "introduction" to The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, which is included in some online editions of the book and omitted in others. Since the initial letter to Halford does not have a proper section title or heading, those generating the electronic versions of the book may have naturally started with chapter one, unaware of the material prior to chapter one. Additionally, there was a cheaper published edition of the book released after its initial publication that omitted both Anne Bronte's introduction to the book and the opening letter from Markham to Halford. Its possible that the online editions of the novel derive their sourcing from that edition rather than the first edition.

Posted By ssauve at Fri 6 Jan 2006, 11:54 AM in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall || 1 Reply

Structure and Narrative technique.

Hi people. I have got a few questions for this novel, The Tenant from Wildfell Hall. What would you say about Anne´s Structure and Narrative technique for this book according to these questions? • How is the story structured? Chronologically? • Are there any flashbacks to the past? • Who is the narrator? Is the story told from a first-person point of view or a third-person point of view, or is it told from an omniscient point of view (by an all-seeing narrator)? I would be very glad if someone could answer this questions detailed but easily. Best regards, Mike :)

Posted By goldball at Fri 9 Sep 2005, 9:25 AM in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall || 2 Replies

The Tennant of Wildfell Hall

I feel that the Tennant of Wildfell Hall stands alone as great literature, and should not be judged on the basis of how it promotes ones socio-political agenda (feminism), a proposition which is doubtfull in itself. I am amazed that Anne Bronte is almost the forgotten sister. Some feel that she owes the novel to Emily because of some supposed connections to Wuthering Heights. I have read both, and feel there is some similarity in subject matter, but greatly different approaches. It is interesting that some feel that girls should not read this when Anne essentially wrote it as a warning for them not to follow the path of Helen huntingdon. Scott

Posted By Scott at Tue 12 Jul 2005, 8:01 PM in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall || 5 Replies

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

I find that I take umbrage at the notion that The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is a "feminist novel" simply because the main character, Helen Graham, seems to personnify an independent woman. This work exposed the a great deal of the hypocrisy that characterized much of Victorian England. It is a brave work, dealing with issues of alcoholism, spousal abuse--and far ahead of its time. It should be judged by that criterion solely, not because the female character leaves her abusive husband to make a life of her own.

Posted By clementine at Sat 21 Feb 2004, 12:00 AM in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall || 1 Reply

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Anne Bronte's second novel is much more than an account of marital strife.

It is a feminist novel, in that it presents Helen Huntingdon as an independent woman. She chooses to marry Arthur Huntingdon, a man whom she knows to be spineless and mercurial. Then she suffers physical and mental abuse from her husband and watches as Arthur tries to pervert their young son. She takes the drastic measure of leaving her husband, taking young Arthur with her. She supports herself and her son by selling her paintings. She falls in love but is faithful to her husband whom she nurses in his final illness. She then makes the decisions as to when and where she and Gilbert Markham will marry

But it is much more than a feminist novel. Like Helen's paintings, it paints a picture of the human condition .....

Posted By Frank Johns at Tue 24 May 2005, 5:07 PM in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall || 0 Replies

No Subject

This was excellent reading! Anne Bronte has indeed surpassed her other two siblings.
Helen Huntingdon was indeed a courageous and determined woman for her times, who fought the evils of abuse in an impossible, dead-end marriage. She had the strength to walk away from it's evil clutches, especially when her dignity and her child were threatened. Considering that those were Victorian times, when her class of women were only mean't for decorative or breeding purposes, to break away from such a marriage and support herself the way she did, fighting the prejudices and malice of her neighbours makes her a strong and admirable character.
Why even today, in many countries women take this kind of abuse in marriage lying down!
Every woman should read this book. It should be translated in many languages.
I live in India and abuse of this sort is very common practise, especially in certain male-dominated ethnic communities. It should teach women everywhere not to tolerate the evils of such a male-dominated society. This is where educating women to support themselves to be self sufficient is very crucial. Helen should be an example for many such ill-used women.

Posted By Firuza at Tue 24 May 2005, 5:07 PM in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall || 0 Replies

No Subject

this novel is a suberb and breath taking. Bronte really demostarted the struggle that women had to face. the novel captures the essence of the stranger women entering a town where she become judged yet falls in love and finds happiness that she well desrves

Posted By sam at Tue 24 May 2005, 5:07 PM in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall || 0 Replies

Missed Storyline

I think most of you are blind to the fact that Helen is a Christ-like character. She sacrifices herself to the benefit of some of the most unloveable characters written. She seeks salvation and repentance for the lost soul right to the very end. Intercessory prayer and words of forgiveness spoken throughout the story...

Posted By Point of Grace at Tue 24 May 2005, 5:07 PM in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall || 3 Replies

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The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

(1847)

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