Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

I’ve been making my way through the Bronte collection as I’ve only really read wuthering heights (through school, originally). This text was favoured heavily by readers online and honestly I’m glad this is a well-loved text because even though she’s the lesser-known Bronte sister, Anne has an unique writing style which singles her out from her sisters and is so beautiful to read time and time again.

The novel begins with a letter written by Gilbert Markham to a friend discussing a mysterious widow who has moved with her son into his neighbourhood. Although standoffish, the widow, Helen forms an attachment with Gilbert. But soon rumours fly around about Helen which forces her to close herself off from Gilbert and the rest of the community. After much persistence, Helen offers Gilbert her diaries in order to explain her truth and her past.

Without spoiling anything if you haven’t read the novel, the revelations revealed by the diaries are shocking to say the least. They discuss the infatuation of Arthur Huntington, a handsome gentleman who is riddled with dangerous flaws and bad habits. Despite multiple warnings and cautions from her family, Helen’s attraction to him stems from the belief (like many female protagonists in this era) that she can reform and change him for the better.

In my personal opinion, I find the novel’s main intention is to showcase the dangers young women face when marrying impulsively at this time. Even in today’s society, people can showcase the person they want you to like, without showing the true them until you’re trapped with them. Therefore I can understand why the novel received much criticism as male critics feel this text negatively exaggerates male bad habits. Furthermore, her attempt to leave Arthur was quashed until she enlisted the help of her brother which further drives home the notion that the women of this era were utterly helpless without male aid.

Helen is an admirable heroine. She fights for her independence and commits a scandalous act of leaving her husband all to save her sun from following in his father’s footsteps. Her only flaw is that she is foolish. She’s a good person but is so naive in her belief that she can turn her ‘bad boy’ into a newly reformed gentleman. This is probably what draws her to him instead of her other uninspiring potential suiters. Her saintlike persona isn’t ever too irritating and we as the reader witness her character growth from young and foolish to firm and methodical, which is very pleasant to watch unfold.

Overall, Anne has outshone herself in this text which her character arcs, descriptions and pushing the boundaries in women’s writing by demonstrating the dangers to women in certain male habits at the time.