Review The Tenant of Wildfell Hall - Anne Brontë

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is the second and the last novel by Anne Brontë. The novel published in 1848 under pseudonym, Acton Bell. Many elements of the novel follow her experience as a governess. The Theme of this book is Love and Marriage, also Anne Brontë raised the alcholicsm issue and it's effect on the household.

This novel follows the story of Gilbert Markam, a twenty-four-year-old farmer, in love with a mysterious widow, the new resident of Wildfell Hall, Helen Graham. She only live with her little son and a housekeeper. Her appearance arouses great interest among the neighbours of the nearby village. They visit her one by one, but the stranger, who introduces herself as Mrs. Graham, is very welcoming.

Later Gilbert and Rose Markham visited Wildfell Hall, they were captivated by Helen's studio and so many paintings. Arthur, her son said that her Mother sell all the pictures to London and somebody sends them money for living. Her strict seclusion soon gives rise to gossip in the neighbouring village and she becomes a social outcast, in fact that Helen is more like to be alone and exile.

"I am not sure the loneliness of the place was not one of its chief recommendations - I take pleasure in watching people pass the windows; and I like to be quiet."  (Helen)

Helen is a contradictive character, In just a short while, his presence has already caused controversy. The villagers started baseless rumors about the relationship between Helen and Mr. Lawrence, who rented Wildfell Hall. We know that the villagers is like to judging, and talking rumors.

Helen's out-of-the-box thinking is different from the women in the village, but makes Gilbert love Helen even more. Gilbert tends to like women who are smart and agree with him. However, the news of the scandal still really affected Gilbert, who was basically very moody and jealous. He is jealous of Mr. Lawrence so he did what he shouldn't have done to Mr. Lawrence. Everything about Helen made Gilbert curious, he wanted to follow up on his relationship with her, what kind of relationship she had with Mr. Lawrence? who is the father of her child? and he wants to know more. Then Helen gave him her diary, everything Gilbert wanted to know was in it.

I love how Anne Brontë describes Helen Graham's thoughts about marriage and parenting, also making Helen make her own independent life is somehow contrary to the early 19^th century norms, she pursues an artist's career and makes an income by selling her pictures. In second part of the book, in her diary we will meet the crucial of Helen's previous life.

“If you would have your son to walk honorably through the world, you must not attempt to clear the stones from his path, but teach him to walk firmly over them - not insist upon leading him by the hand, but let him learn to go alone.” (Helen)

and about marriage:

".... When I tell you not to marry without love, I do not advise you to marry for love alone – there are many, many other things to be considered. Keep both heart and hand in your own possession, till you see good reason to part with them; and if such an occasion should never present itself, comfort your mind with this reflection: that, though in single life your joys may not be very many, your sorrows, at least will not be more than you can bear. Marriage may change your circumstances for the better, but in myprivate opinion, it is far more likely to produce a contrary result" (Helen)

I love how little Arthur as the connector of the relationship between Helen and Gilbert. I really admire little Arthur !! Well, this is the result from a child who was educated by his mother well. Helen really made a wise decision to keep her children away from the bad influence of their father, who was an alcoholic and hedonist.

"Dear Arthur! What did I not owe to you for this and every other happy meeting? - Through him, I was at once delivered from all fonnality, and terror, and constraint. In love affairs, there is no mediator like a merry, simple-hearted child - ever ready to cement divided hearts, to span the unfriendly gulf of custom, to melt the ice of cold reserve, and overthrow the separating walls of dread fonnality and pride." ( Gilbert )

At the very last, I love everything in this book, I would read a hundred novels of Anne Brontë if it's really exist. This book is my favorite, every line, every conversation is meaningfull.  

Rating Ruang Buku Megga : ✭✭✭✭✭ (5/5)

Title : The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Author : Anne Brontë

Publisher : Wordsworth Classics 

Year : 2001 (First Published 1848) 
Pages : 394 pages

ISBN : 978-1-85326-488-7