The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall

 

 

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is the second and final novel by the English author Anne Bronte. She died of pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 29. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was first published in 1848 under the pseudonym Acton Bell. It is one of the first sustained feminist novels. It had an instant and phenomenal success, however after Anne's death, her sister Charlotte Bronte prevented its republication. (Source - Wikipedia)
It is an epistolary novel. Gilbert Markham writes to his friend and brother in law, his most secret story. The first part and third part of the story is from Gilbert's point of view. The second part is pages from Helen's diary which Gilbert reproduces in his letter. The protagonist of the novel, Helen comes as a tenant to Wildfell Hall as Mrs. Graham, a widow along with her son Arthur and a servantmaid. Wildfell Hall is near the village of Mr. Gilbert, where he lives with his mother, brother and sister. Since Mrs. Graham is reclusive, she becomes the subject of local Gossip. Gilbert befriends young Arthur, become fascinated with Mrs. Graham and falls in love with her. Wild rumors concerning Mrs. Graham begin to spread. Now Gilbert wishes to marry Helen, but Helen is not in a position to accept his proposal. He doubts that Helen is in love with Lawrence, the owner of Wildfell Hall. She gives him pages of her diary to unfold her mystery. From Helen's diary we come to know about her and her marriage to Arthur Huntingdon. Helen comes to know of Arthur's true nature after marriage. When Arthur begins to corrupt the child, she wants to flee from her husband. However, Huntingdon learns her plan and destroys it. But finally with the help of her brother Lawrence, she finds a refuge at Wildfell Hall.  After Gilbert reads Helen's diary, she bids him to leave her. He complies and soon he learns that she has returned to Grassdale as her husband is gravely ill. She nurses him, but Huntingdon dies. A year had gone. Gilbert hears about Helen's wedding and goes to Grassdale only to find it is Lawrence who is getting married. He finds that Helen is wealthy and lives at Staningley. He goes to Staningley, but hesitates to meet her. Lingering at the gate to have a glimpse of her, he encounters Helen, her aunt and young Arthur by chance. They reconcile and get married.
Twenty years had passed. We don't get to know about Helen after remarriage except that she and Gilbert had children. Whether she continues her painting work, we are left to wonder. Helen is bold and strong for a 19th century woman. It's a very engaging novel portraying the women's status in 19th century England.

I consider it for Reading England 2016 Challenge and Women's Classic Literature Event, though I have not included it when I signed for the challenge.