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The Tenant of Wildfell Hall | Introduction

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, by Anne Brontë, is one of the first modern feminist novels. It tells the story of a young wife during the Regency period in England (1800–1830) who runs away from her drunken, adulterous, verbally abusive husband, an act virtually unheard of at this time in history. Brontë is the youngest sister of the famous Charlotte Brontë and Emily Brontë and although her poetry and novels have never received the same attention, she was arguably the pioneer of her family. Brontë’s use of realism—unlike the gothic romances of Charlotte and Emily—was a precursor to the literary traditions of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was a wildly popular and controversial novel when it was published in 1848. Critics then and later criticized the uneven characterization, but it was Brontë’s progressive ideas about the rights of women that caused an uproar in the mid-1800s. Some considered the novel unfit for women to read. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall has interest for readers in the early 2000s because of its insight into the historical roles of men and women and for the ways it illustrates how marriage has changed and how some things—such as domestic abuse—have not.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall Summary

Volume I

To J. Halford, Esq.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall begins with a letter from Gilbert Markham to his brother-in-law and friend, Jack Halford. Halford and Gilbert had a quarrel when Halford revealed a secret, and Gilbert did not return the favor. Gilbert promises to make amends and tell Halford his biggest secret although it is a long story.

Chapters I–V
In the autumn of 1827, a widowed young woman named Mrs. Graham takes up residence at the derelict Wildfell Hall. Rose Markham and her mother visit, hoping to learn more about this stranger, but she is evasive. Rose’s older brother Gilbert cannot stop himself from staring at her in church and a few days later his hunting takes him near her house where he saves her son from falling out of a tree. Their first meeting is awkward because she is so suspicious of him.

Mrs. Graham pays a return visit to the Markhams where she gets into several arguments. Mrs. Markham chides her for spoiling her son because she will not let anyone else watch him. Then she and Gilbert quarrel about the strengths and weaknesses of men and women. She declines an invitation to the family’s Guy Fawkes Day party on November 5th. At the party, the guests gossip endlessly about Mrs. Graham. Gilbert flirts with his sweetheart, Eliza Millward, the vicar’s daughter. After the party, Mrs. Markham chastises her son for showing Eliza affection because she does not think Eliza will be a good wife for him.

At the end of November, Rose and Gilbert visit Wildfell Hall and learn that Mrs. Graham earns her living by painting landscapes—and she signs a false name to the paintings to hide her location. A mysterious man comes to visit, but Mrs. Graham sends him away before her guests see who he is. Gilbert accidentally uncovers a painting of a dashing young man, which annoys Mrs. Graham. But she apologizes to Gilbert for her temper, and they part on good terms.

Chapters VI–XII
Throughout winter, Gilbert and Mrs. Graham—now Helen—run into each other and have many pleasant conversations. In March, Gilbert meets Frederick Lawrence, his neighbor, on the road to Wildfell Hall. Lawrence expresses surprise because he thought Gilbert did not like Helen. Gilbert has changed his mind, but he mistakenly believes Lawrence to be in love with Helen. Lawrence laughs. In mid-May, Gilbert, Rose, Fergus, Jane, Richard, Mary, Eliza, Helen, and Arthur make the day-trip out to the seaside. Gilbert enjoys talking with Helen while they walk and even follows her when she slips away to sketch. Gilbert realizes that Eliza’s chatter annoys him and that he may be falling in love with Helen.

In June 1828, Gilbert tries to give Helen a new book, but she refuses to take it without paying because she does not want to encourage his affections. Gilbert is crushed but promises that he will not make any advances on her favor. She takes the book as a gift on those terms, and they part as friends. Not long after Gilbert’s affection shifts from Eliza to Helen, scandalous gossip about Helen emerges and spreads rapidly among her neighbors. People whisper that she is involved with Lawrence and her child even looks like him. Gilbert refuses to believe the slander, but Mrs. Markham thinks there might be some kernel of truth. He visits Wildfell Hall the following week to lend Helen a book. They walk in the garden, and he asks her for a rose, which she gives him. Realizing his intentions, Helen implores him to be her friend or end their acquaintance. Gilbert reluctantly agrees and leaves, running into Lawrence on the road. They quarrel about why Lawrence is traveling to Wildfell Hall, but Reverend Millward interrupts them.

Back at home, Rose tells Gilbert to stop visiting Helen and soon thereafter Reverend Millward arrives. He has just returned from Wildfell Hall where he told Helen the gossip circulating and asked her to correct her conduct. He says she took the news badly, which causes Gilbert to immediately rush back to Wildfell Hall. He tells Helen he believes none of the rumors and that he loves her. Helen offers to explain her secrets to him the following day. Gilbert leaves reluctantly. Lingering outside, he chances to see Helen walking arm-in-arm with Lawrence. This view seems to confirm the rumor after all.

Chapters XIII–XV
Gilbert pours himself into his work and avoids meeting Helen. He rides toward the nearby town one day and meets Mr. Lawrence along the road. Lawrence tries to talk to him, but Gilbert is so angry that he strikes him with his horsewhip, cutting open his head and knocking him to the ground. After Gilbert makes sure Lawrence is still alive, he starts to leave, then he returns to offer help. Lawrence refuses, and Gilbert goes on to town, leaving Lawrence lying on the damp ground. When Gilbert returns home, Rose tells him that Lawrence has had a terrible accident. She urges him to visit Lawrence, who may be on his deathbed, but Gilbert refuses, sending Fergus instead. Helen finally catches Gilbert and asks him why he did not meet her to hear her story. They argue, and she leaves, but Gilbert grows curious. He visits her the next day and reveals why he is angry. Helen gives him her diary by way of explanation.

Chapters XVI–XIX
The next twenty-nine chapters are told from Helen’s perspective, via her diary. Her story begins June 1, 1821, seven years earlier. Helen is eighteen years old and lives at Staningley manor with her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell. She reflects upon her latest visit to town, meaning London. Mrs. Maxwell has introduced Helen to some older men, but Helen is only interested in the dashing Mr. Huntington. One of the older suitors, Mr. Boarham, proposes, but Helen refuses him. The next day, she visits her uncle’s friend Mr. Wilmot and Huntington is among the guests. He pays special... » Complete The Tenant of Wildfell Hall Summary