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The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Agnes Grey
This edition is introduced by Phyllis Bentley, the famous Yorkshire novelist and expert on the Brontes, and it is illustrated by Peter Dennis.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1922
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About the author
Anne Brontë
657 books3,922 followersAnne Brontë was an English novelist and poet, the youngest member of the Brontë literary family. Anne's two novels, written in a sharp and ironic style, are completely different from the romanticism followed by her sisters, Emily Brontë and Charlotte Brontë. She wrote in a realistic, rather than a romantic style. Mainly because the re-publication of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was prevented by Charlotte Brontë after Anne's death, she is less known than her sisters. However, her novels, like those of her sisters, have become classics of English literature.
The daughter of a poor Irish clergyman in the Church of England, Anne Brontë lived most of her life with her family at the parish of Haworth on the Yorkshire moors. In Elizabeth Gaskell's biography, Anne's father remembered her as precocious, reporting that once, when she was four years old, in reply to his question about what a child most wanted, she answered: "age and experience".
During her life Anne was particularly close to Emily. When Charlotte's friend Ellen Nussey visited Haworth in 1833, she reported that Emily and Anne were "like twins", "inseparable companions". Together they created imaginary world Gondal after they broke up from Charlotte and Branwell who created another imaginary world – Angria.
For a couple of years she went to a boarding school. At the age of 19 she left Haworth and worked as a governess between 1839 and 1845.
After leaving her teaching position, she fulfilled her literary ambitions. She wrote a volume of poetry with her sisters (Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell, 1846) and two novels. Agnes Grey, based upon her experiences as a governess, was published in 1847. Her second and last novel, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, which is considered to be one of the first sustained feminist novels, appeared in 1848 and was an instant, phenomenal success; within six weeks it was sold out.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is perhaps the most shocking of the Brontës' novels. In seeking to present the truth in literature, Anne's depiction of alcoholism and debauchery was profoundly disturbing to 19th-century sensibilities. Helen Graham, the tenant of the title, intrigues Gilbert Markham and gradually she reveals her past as an artist and wife of the dissipated Arthur Huntingdon. The book's brilliance lies in its revelation of the position of women at the time, and its multi-layered plot.
Her sister Emily's death on 19 December 1848 deeply affected Anne and her grief undermined her physical health. Over Christmas, Anne caught influenza. Her symptoms intensified, and in early January, her father sent for a Leeds physician, who diagnosed her condition as consumption, and intimated that it was quite advanced leaving little hope of recovery. Anne met the news with characteristic determination and self-control.
Unlike Emily, Anne took all the recommended medicines, and responded to the advice she was given. That same month she wrote her last poem, " A dreadful darkness closes in", in which she deals with being terminally ill.
In February 1849, Anne decided to make a return visit to Scarborough in the hope that the change of location and fresh sea air might initiate a recovery. However, it was clear that she had little strength left.
Dying, Anne expressed her love and concern for Ellen and Charlotte, and seeing Charlotte's distress, whispered to her to "take courage". Conscious and calm, Anne died at about two o'clock in the afternoon, Monday, 28 May 1849.
The daughter of a poor Irish clergyman in the Church of England, Anne Brontë lived most of her life with her family at the parish of Haworth on the Yorkshire moors. In Elizabeth Gaskell's biography, Anne's father remembered her as precocious, reporting that once, when she was four years old, in reply to his question about what a child most wanted, she answered: "age and experience".
During her life Anne was particularly close to Emily. When Charlotte's friend Ellen Nussey visited Haworth in 1833, she reported that Emily and Anne were "like twins", "inseparable companions". Together they created imaginary world Gondal after they broke up from Charlotte and Branwell who created another imaginary world – Angria.
For a couple of years she went to a boarding school. At the age of 19 she left Haworth and worked as a governess between 1839 and 1845.
After leaving her teaching position, she fulfilled her literary ambitions. She wrote a volume of poetry with her sisters (Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell, 1846) and two novels. Agnes Grey, based upon her experiences as a governess, was published in 1847. Her second and last novel, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, which is considered to be one of the first sustained feminist novels, appeared in 1848 and was an instant, phenomenal success; within six weeks it was sold out.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is perhaps the most shocking of the Brontës' novels. In seeking to present the truth in literature, Anne's depiction of alcoholism and debauchery was profoundly disturbing to 19th-century sensibilities. Helen Graham, the tenant of the title, intrigues Gilbert Markham and gradually she reveals her past as an artist and wife of the dissipated Arthur Huntingdon. The book's brilliance lies in its revelation of the position of women at the time, and its multi-layered plot.
Her sister Emily's death on 19 December 1848 deeply affected Anne and her grief undermined her physical health. Over Christmas, Anne caught influenza. Her symptoms intensified, and in early January, her father sent for a Leeds physician, who diagnosed her condition as consumption, and intimated that it was quite advanced leaving little hope of recovery. Anne met the news with characteristic determination and self-control.
Unlike Emily, Anne took all the recommended medicines, and responded to the advice she was given. That same month she wrote her last poem, " A dreadful darkness closes in", in which she deals with being terminally ill.
In February 1849, Anne decided to make a return visit to Scarborough in the hope that the change of location and fresh sea air might initiate a recovery. However, it was clear that she had little strength left.
Dying, Anne expressed her love and concern for Ellen and Charlotte, and seeing Charlotte's distress, whispered to her to "take courage". Conscious and calm, Anne died at about two o'clock in the afternoon, Monday, 28 May 1849.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 26, 2020
"The gross vapours of earth were gathering round me, and closing in upon my inward heaven..." (103)I had read Charlotte and Emily Brontë, but not sister Anne, who—after reading Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall—I find is most aptly described as the austerest of the three. The latter novel was the better, more complex work, which made a big impression on me even if it did not quite reach the aesthetic peaks of her sisters' Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, or Villette.
September 25, 2015
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was a superb novel! It had a gripping plot that grabbed me from the first page and didn't let up until the last page. I liked the narrative style of the novel too. Anne Bronte uses the perspectives of her two primary protagonists, Mr. Gilbert Markham, and Mrs. Helen Graham, extraordinarily effectively through the use of diary entries and correspondence.
It seems to me that Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall addresses some very profound issues that women of all ages have faced in marriages, especially that of patriarchy and abuse. I truly believe that while this novel has some very dark, almost Gothic, undertones; Bronte has, in my opinion, written a novel that puts forth a powerful moral message and empowers women to make those difficult decisions that are best for themselves and their children. Anne also has her heroine taking up her brushes, paints and canvas in order to make money to support herself and her son--a thoroughly shocking notion for a woman of gentility to embark upon. Toward that end, I think that this book is an excellent example of early-Victorian proto-feminist writing.
To me The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is as emotionally captivating a novel as Charlotte's Jane Eyre or Villette and it may just be even more artfully crafted than those as well. It intrigues me that The Tenant of Wildfell Hall seems to always be overshadowed by Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, but then that seems to be how Anne was with her sisters--she was the quiet one. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is an important book, and one that I will read again and again.
It seems to me that Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall addresses some very profound issues that women of all ages have faced in marriages, especially that of patriarchy and abuse. I truly believe that while this novel has some very dark, almost Gothic, undertones; Bronte has, in my opinion, written a novel that puts forth a powerful moral message and empowers women to make those difficult decisions that are best for themselves and their children. Anne also has her heroine taking up her brushes, paints and canvas in order to make money to support herself and her son--a thoroughly shocking notion for a woman of gentility to embark upon. Toward that end, I think that this book is an excellent example of early-Victorian proto-feminist writing.
To me The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is as emotionally captivating a novel as Charlotte's Jane Eyre or Villette and it may just be even more artfully crafted than those as well. It intrigues me that The Tenant of Wildfell Hall seems to always be overshadowed by Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, but then that seems to be how Anne was with her sisters--she was the quiet one. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is an important book, and one that I will read again and again.
June 14, 2010
FIVE stars for Wildfell, a dreary 3 for Agnes Grey, I have SO much to say about both books but it will have to wait for happier times, or anyway times when I have furniture and a cat again.
August 27, 2018
"Tenant of Wildfell Hall" is of a similar genre to "Emma;" both are about 19th century British aristocrats running around cross-eyed trying to get married, and both feature female protagonists who are disdainfully idiotic in their assessments of potential mates. Somehow, in the end, the world forgives these jerk-faces all their transgressions, and the concluding 1/12 of each book is dedicated to wholly unrealistic forgiving and kisses, much to the female protagonists' advantage.
"Tenant..." is much superior to "Emma" in that it is infinitely better crafted, and manages to make its female lead, Helen "Graham," a sympathetic, likable character. This is done, in part, by giving her an absolutely despicable husband. By comparison, of course, she looks pretty good, even if she was dumb enough to choose him, in spite of all the evidence put before her doting eyes. When the bad guy dies, Helen gets all this money and land and happily marries the admiring Gilbert Markham, who, if living today, would have been arrested like 20 times for stalking.
I don't get these books.
"Tenant..." is much superior to "Emma" in that it is infinitely better crafted, and manages to make its female lead, Helen "Graham," a sympathetic, likable character. This is done, in part, by giving her an absolutely despicable husband. By comparison, of course, she looks pretty good, even if she was dumb enough to choose him, in spite of all the evidence put before her doting eyes. When the bad guy dies, Helen gets all this money and land and happily marries the admiring Gilbert Markham, who, if living today, would have been arrested like 20 times for stalking.
I don't get these books.
December 9, 2015
ANNE BRONTE IS BEST BRONTE
In all seriousness, though, I like how real and straightforward Anne is compared to her sisters. She captures the realness of life, and has a real knack for writing characters. I preferred Tenant over Agnes Grey, mostly because of the brevity of Agnes Grey and how it clearly shows Anne still needed to develop her skills. Agnes had so much summarization; Tenant almost seemed to overcorrect that and dragged on. Still, Tenant unfolded at a better pace and was much better developed.
In all seriousness, though, I like how real and straightforward Anne is compared to her sisters. She captures the realness of life, and has a real knack for writing characters. I preferred Tenant over Agnes Grey, mostly because of the brevity of Agnes Grey and how it clearly shows Anne still needed to develop her skills. Agnes had so much summarization; Tenant almost seemed to overcorrect that and dragged on. Still, Tenant unfolded at a better pace and was much better developed.
January 24, 2011
Both are very cleverly crafted stories. I liked them because they rejected the romantic tenets of the Gothic period into which they were both written and aimed to portray the plight of women in a more realistic way. The heroes of these two novels are strong women with minds of their own, inspirations to kids like me even in modern times such as these.
June 29, 2020
4 1/2 Stars
My review of: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
My review of: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
April 3, 2025
Agnes Grey
4 stars
A short, sweet, melancholic little book, tempered with a keen and critical eye. Anne Brontë may not be as renowned or acclaimed as her sisters, but she was equally as gifted. The gothic strain of sensibility that they all have in common is present in her work, buts its general tone is finer and gentler overall.
At turns sad and funny, the story of Agnes Grey is full of a sharp awareness of classism. Anne Brontë uses her main character to observe and comment on the deplorable lack of character that she encounters in her wealthier employers. Agnes begins the book naive and sheltered, and in the process of two hundred pages grows and matures through her experiences as governess to a myriad assortment of children.
I enjoyed reading it, and the characters were memorable.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
5 stars
This was a much sharper book than Agnes Grey. There’s a wit and an intent thread of feminism to the story that lifts it to another level. This book is incredibly brave, especially given the era in which Anne was writing.
The point of view is interesting, as the story is told through a series of letters. The person writing the letters was a young man when the events of the plot happened, and seeing the protagonist through him is fascinating. The writer is impulsive, young, and naive. And the woman he is writing about is considerably more mature. He is casually entitled and overly emotional, and his interactions with Helen made him look decidedly obnoxious (although he grows in the process of the story).
The perspective shift to Helen that comes half way through the book is wonderful. Her history and choices were so much more compelling from her eyes. The events of her life are handled by Anne Brontë with an openness that is surprising for the time period. She deals with spousal abuse and violence and alcoholism and narcissism, and she doesn’t cloak any of it in the mannerisms and politeness that would have been expected. Brontë uses the opportunity presented by the story to subtly address the imbalance of power and ability between husband and wife, as related to the era of the book.
A highly feminist novel, with a complex main character and a plot that manages to hit expected points with creativity. Helen’s circumstances are the direct result of her own choices, and her determination to hold true to her character and her conviction made her inspiring. Her ending was moving and earned, and I am thrilled to have finally read this book. I only wish I had read it sooner.
4 stars
A short, sweet, melancholic little book, tempered with a keen and critical eye. Anne Brontë may not be as renowned or acclaimed as her sisters, but she was equally as gifted. The gothic strain of sensibility that they all have in common is present in her work, buts its general tone is finer and gentler overall.
At turns sad and funny, the story of Agnes Grey is full of a sharp awareness of classism. Anne Brontë uses her main character to observe and comment on the deplorable lack of character that she encounters in her wealthier employers. Agnes begins the book naive and sheltered, and in the process of two hundred pages grows and matures through her experiences as governess to a myriad assortment of children.
I enjoyed reading it, and the characters were memorable.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
5 stars
This was a much sharper book than Agnes Grey. There’s a wit and an intent thread of feminism to the story that lifts it to another level. This book is incredibly brave, especially given the era in which Anne was writing.
The point of view is interesting, as the story is told through a series of letters. The person writing the letters was a young man when the events of the plot happened, and seeing the protagonist through him is fascinating. The writer is impulsive, young, and naive. And the woman he is writing about is considerably more mature. He is casually entitled and overly emotional, and his interactions with Helen made him look decidedly obnoxious (although he grows in the process of the story).
The perspective shift to Helen that comes half way through the book is wonderful. Her history and choices were so much more compelling from her eyes. The events of her life are handled by Anne Brontë with an openness that is surprising for the time period. She deals with spousal abuse and violence and alcoholism and narcissism, and she doesn’t cloak any of it in the mannerisms and politeness that would have been expected. Brontë uses the opportunity presented by the story to subtly address the imbalance of power and ability between husband and wife, as related to the era of the book.
A highly feminist novel, with a complex main character and a plot that manages to hit expected points with creativity. Helen’s circumstances are the direct result of her own choices, and her determination to hold true to her character and her conviction made her inspiring. Her ending was moving and earned, and I am thrilled to have finally read this book. I only wish I had read it sooner.
October 11, 2023
Boring start, hard to get into.
Read
January 27, 2024I just can’t get into this. It is not holding my interest right now. Maybe at a later date.
December 21, 2015
I've no idea why The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is not in the canon of Victorian literature, comparable to Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre. Anne Bronte's bad luck, I suppose. Nevertheless, it's an absolute must-read, and I'm ashamed I've never read it until now. A total page-turner, and so feminist it's almost flabbergasting.
August 25, 2010
What a surprise! Another Bronte sister that can write a ripping yarn! It was well written and interesting as it was from two perspectives. A bit preachy and drags on in parts but it was worth it to plow through. Highly recommend if you are a fan of either or both of her sisters.
August 25, 2010
so different from her sisters style, a typical romantic novel
September 23, 2023
Agnes Grey
Agnes, an inexperienced governess, describes her difficulties controlling her young wealthy and very entitled students.
Later on, having been dismissed from her first post, Agnes works as a governess for two young women who are rather superior and unruly in their behavior towards her.
Anne Bronte's story brings attention to the plight of women trying to earn a living when few opportunities to do so were available to them at that time.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
Helen retreats to Wildfell Hall, her childhood home, with the help of her brother Lawrence, when her husband, Arthur Huntingdon, is extremely unkind to her in many ways.
Anne Bronte's story brings attention to the fact that women had few recourses with aberrant husbands at that time.
Some of Anne Bronte's ideas are outdated about the way to discipline school children.
Instructing in a way that destroys a child's self-esteem is never acceptable however poor the parental support (Agnes Grey).
Additionally, although Anne Bronte adheres to the teachings of the the Anglican church, its representatives showed little sympathy for the plight of women (The Tenant of Wildfell Hall).
Timeless stories with social ramifications.
........
Notes
Yorkshire
Wildfell Hall
Grassdale Manor (Thorp Hall)
Staningley Hall - aunt and uncle
Linden-Hope Farm - Gilbert Markham
Scarborough
King George IV and the Regency Period (King George III) - 1811-1820
Grove (Mr. Hargrave - Esther marries Frederick Lawrence, Helen's brother)
Agnes, an inexperienced governess, describes her difficulties controlling her young wealthy and very entitled students.
Later on, having been dismissed from her first post, Agnes works as a governess for two young women who are rather superior and unruly in their behavior towards her.
Anne Bronte's story brings attention to the plight of women trying to earn a living when few opportunities to do so were available to them at that time.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
Helen retreats to Wildfell Hall, her childhood home, with the help of her brother Lawrence, when her husband, Arthur Huntingdon, is extremely unkind to her in many ways.
Anne Bronte's story brings attention to the fact that women had few recourses with aberrant husbands at that time.
Some of Anne Bronte's ideas are outdated about the way to discipline school children.
Instructing in a way that destroys a child's self-esteem is never acceptable however poor the parental support (Agnes Grey).
Additionally, although Anne Bronte adheres to the teachings of the the Anglican church, its representatives showed little sympathy for the plight of women (The Tenant of Wildfell Hall).
Timeless stories with social ramifications.
........
Notes
Yorkshire
Wildfell Hall
Grassdale Manor (Thorp Hall)
Staningley Hall - aunt and uncle
Linden-Hope Farm - Gilbert Markham
Scarborough
King George IV and the Regency Period (King George III) - 1811-1820
Grove (Mr. Hargrave - Esther marries Frederick Lawrence, Helen's brother)
July 29, 2018
These two books were very intriguing and most likely a very real look at what women of the time Anne wrote in had to deal with. It felt very much like Austen mixed with more gothic elements and less surety of a happy ending. This volume is very long and dense but an interesting read and one I very much enjoyed. I have not read the other Bronte sisters' works but from what I have heard of them, these novels are much less romanticized. All of the characters you meet, especially in Wildfell Hall, have good qualities and bad, even your heroes. They make mistakes, they forgive those they shouldn't and they begrudge some who only wish to help. Definitely some stories to check out if you want something more historic but still at it's core about people and human nature. Just prepared to invest some time because they do take some time to get through.
April 24, 2022
Two very different novels in terms of plot and style. And that’s not a bad thing, but Agnes Grey, I’m afraid to say, was rather a slog. I did not connect to the characters or the story at all, which slowed my reading, and allowed for distractions. Wildfell Hall, however, is a different beast. Much meatier, a solid, intense plot. Excellent characterisations, and highlights the plight of a strong-willed woman in a world of not very likeable men.
I give Agnes Grey ***, Wildfell ****.
I give Agnes Grey ***, Wildfell ****.
May 19, 2023
Отличное произведение! Интрига держится чуть ли не до последних страниц. Особенно понравилось то, что автор показала главных героев отдельно и детально. Ведь когда ты смотришь на всё глазами одного героя, то создаётся неполная картинка. А читая мысли и того, и другого, понимаешь, что ими руководит и почему они поступают так как поступают. В общем, когда смотришь на одну и ту же ситуацию под разными углами, то создаётся более цельное представление о ней.
September 7, 2017
I am so glad I made time to read this classic. A rollercoaster of human capabilities, from the lowest vice to the highest powers of love. The story touches on many relevant topics of today and leaves one thankful for the progress made and regretful of what has yet to be done. The story of the author and the censorship of the book is also fascinating.
March 5, 2022
entertaining. insight into Victorian morals and ridiculous social restraints and contracts. disturbing innuendo about violence, but it's all "off camera." the book readers were ok. the man did a poor job of imitating female voices, but it wasn't too distracting.
November 8, 2025
Went into this is low expectations because Anne is the most boring of all Brontes but was pleasantly surprised. Story was very readable and almost felt modern in language. Where Charlotte is more artistic with her writing and imagery, what you see is what you get with Anne which I respect.
January 23, 2019
Agnes Grey ***
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall *****
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall *****
October 25, 2019
Magnífica novela ("The tenant of Wildfell Hall"). Imprescindible para analizar el problema de la violencia de género. Anne Brontë debe ser reivindicada como la espléndida escritora que es.
July 5, 2021
Meh, I couldn’t get much into this, both leader characters managed to be both insipid and annoying. (Tenant of Wildfell Hall)
September 22, 2021
While not as famous as her sister's novels both of the stories are well worth a read. Especially if you're moving to a new stage of your life.
May 25, 2023
Enjoyed my 1st Anne Bronte novel. A little too pious for me at times, but that's not exactly unexpected. ;-)
June 21, 2023
This rating is for Agnes Grey.
June 2, 2013
I really enjoyed these two novels, and though I had read "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" in a University English class it was great to have the opportunity to read alongside Anne Bronte's other novel "Agnes Grey". It was nice to read books from the nineteenth-century that did not gloss over marital problems. The issues of drunkenness, spousal abuse, and the cheating that goes with this sins against the family were prevalent back then. It was just that no one talked of them, nor wrote of them, except for Anne Bronte. This may be because she was in a unique position. Her brother Branwell was an alcoholic who died at the age of thirty-one due to complications with drinking. Anne took these experiences and wrote two very different novels, both within the genre of romance.
The first novel included is "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall". This novel is told through letters and diary entries. This apparently was a convention of that time, but while in school we were taught that it was one of the first to use these techniques in fiction. The story takes place in Yorkshire where most of the Bronte sister novels are set. The story is actually a long letter to Gilbert Markham's brother-in-law to describe Markham's and his wife's meeting and courtship. There are many rumor's and much gossip surrounding Helen Lawrence Huntingdon Markham, though that is never a name used anywhere in the novel. We are learn her maiden name because Gilbert punches her brother Frederick Lawrence who belongs to the same neighborhood as Markham. Helen came as a presumed widow to escape the abuse of her husband Arthur Huntingdon. Gilbert fell in love with her at that time, but because Helen's ideas toward alcoholic beverages. Yes, Gilbert seems to be looking for money, but upon finally marrying Helen he relinquishes his home to his younger brother. Love meant more to him than did money, though Helen is herself not a pauper.
Anne Bronte writes much about love in her two novels. She seems to be commenting on the practice of young girls being chosen as mates to much older men for money. She does not approve. The happiest relationships appear to be forged by men and women of equal temperament. Yes, there is a small age difference in most couples, but not the twenty years that men require to sow their wild oats. When women marry solely for prestige they are often taken advantage of and treated unfairly. Marriage needs to be entered into with a thought for the future whether here on earth or up above. Anne Bronte writes with my feeling towards the words of God in the Bible. I know she was a clergyman's daughter, but I have never read her sister's works with the same feeling of female piety that Anne expresses in her novels.
Religion is more than a goal for Anne. It is the way in which people conduct themselves. No one should make fun of the cottager in rough clothes or show more reverence for the titled nobility than they do for Heavenly Father. She teaches her charges in the guise of a governess that that is their sacred duty. Her charges do not always listen and hence make bad choices on whom to marry and must find happiness within themselves rather than in the marriage bed. Anne Bronte is one of the few Victorian writers that mention children. Yes, these women do have kids within a year of marriage. The ability to have an heir is paramount on everyone's mind if not explicitly stated.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who greatly enjoys nineteenth century literature and the Victorian family setting. Also to anyone who wants to study the inner workings of family relationships as Anne Bronte honestly is greatly refreshing.
The first novel included is "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall". This novel is told through letters and diary entries. This apparently was a convention of that time, but while in school we were taught that it was one of the first to use these techniques in fiction. The story takes place in Yorkshire where most of the Bronte sister novels are set. The story is actually a long letter to Gilbert Markham's brother-in-law to describe Markham's and his wife's meeting and courtship. There are many rumor's and much gossip surrounding Helen Lawrence Huntingdon Markham, though that is never a name used anywhere in the novel. We are learn her maiden name because Gilbert punches her brother Frederick Lawrence who belongs to the same neighborhood as Markham. Helen came as a presumed widow to escape the abuse of her husband Arthur Huntingdon. Gilbert fell in love with her at that time, but because Helen's ideas toward alcoholic beverages. Yes, Gilbert seems to be looking for money, but upon finally marrying Helen he relinquishes his home to his younger brother. Love meant more to him than did money, though Helen is herself not a pauper.
Anne Bronte writes much about love in her two novels. She seems to be commenting on the practice of young girls being chosen as mates to much older men for money. She does not approve. The happiest relationships appear to be forged by men and women of equal temperament. Yes, there is a small age difference in most couples, but not the twenty years that men require to sow their wild oats. When women marry solely for prestige they are often taken advantage of and treated unfairly. Marriage needs to be entered into with a thought for the future whether here on earth or up above. Anne Bronte writes with my feeling towards the words of God in the Bible. I know she was a clergyman's daughter, but I have never read her sister's works with the same feeling of female piety that Anne expresses in her novels.
Religion is more than a goal for Anne. It is the way in which people conduct themselves. No one should make fun of the cottager in rough clothes or show more reverence for the titled nobility than they do for Heavenly Father. She teaches her charges in the guise of a governess that that is their sacred duty. Her charges do not always listen and hence make bad choices on whom to marry and must find happiness within themselves rather than in the marriage bed. Anne Bronte is one of the few Victorian writers that mention children. Yes, these women do have kids within a year of marriage. The ability to have an heir is paramount on everyone's mind if not explicitly stated.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who greatly enjoys nineteenth century literature and the Victorian family setting. Also to anyone who wants to study the inner workings of family relationships as Anne Bronte honestly is greatly refreshing.
August 23, 2012
Really enjoyed Agnes Grey, the first story in this 2 in 1 book. It was surprisingly funny, especially some of the exchanges between Agnes and Rosalie and Agnes internal thoughts about Rosalie.
I don't understand why Bronte made such a production of hiding the locations in the book. She (or he, at the time) always said it was a work of fiction, why bother to hide the location if nothing in the story is real? For example Bronte writes that her father dies and her mother moves to the seaside town of A_____ to establish a school. Does anyone have a reasonable answer for why she writes it this way?
I'm currently about 3/4 of the way through the second story in the 2 in 1 book The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and the confusion continues in the way that she censors some of the (very slightly) coarse language and not other examples of it. In one instance she would write d__n (for damn) and in another she would write damned. What's the difference, why does one need to be censored and not the other? In fact I was surprised to find the use of the word damn (or any of its variations), censored or not, in the book at all. From previous books I've read set in the era (if not written in the era), I got the impression it would be practically illegal for a woman to use any form of swear word, let alone use it in a published novel.
I was surprised recently, when I learned how harsh Charlotte Bronte's criticism of both The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, and her sister in general, was, going so far as to prevent The Tenant of Wildfell Hall from being re-published after her death. Then when she died while on a trip to Scarborough with her sister, Charlotte decided not to have Annes' body taken back to be buried with the rest of the family in Haworth and had a very impersonal inscription written on her tombstone. I get the feeling that they weren't close, which is also surprising as I have read that their main contacts were with their own family, they hardly ever saw anyone outside of the household.
Have now finished The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and was pleasantly to find that I actually enjoyed it. Usually when I start to read a book written in a similar era to this one (late 1700s, 1800s or early 1900s) I go in with the only expectation that I'll find it 'interesting.' I was pleasantly surprised because I found I really enjoyed it. I had no trouble with the language, as I have had with previous books (Jane Eyre when I was younger, Persuasion within the last year et al). As most readers would probably agree, I had a bit of trouble sympathising with Helen regarding her husband, Arthur. Living in the current era I can't imagine putting up with Arthur's behaviour for so long and I certainly can't imagine going back to him while he is dying only to have him continue to verbally abuse me. I would have thrown the cooling washcloth at him and left him to his own devices, but then I'm as far from religiously motivated as you can imagine.
I don't understand why Bronte made such a production of hiding the locations in the book. She (or he, at the time) always said it was a work of fiction, why bother to hide the location if nothing in the story is real? For example Bronte writes that her father dies and her mother moves to the seaside town of A_____ to establish a school. Does anyone have a reasonable answer for why she writes it this way?
I'm currently about 3/4 of the way through the second story in the 2 in 1 book The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and the confusion continues in the way that she censors some of the (very slightly) coarse language and not other examples of it. In one instance she would write d__n (for damn) and in another she would write damned. What's the difference, why does one need to be censored and not the other? In fact I was surprised to find the use of the word damn (or any of its variations), censored or not, in the book at all. From previous books I've read set in the era (if not written in the era), I got the impression it would be practically illegal for a woman to use any form of swear word, let alone use it in a published novel.
I was surprised recently, when I learned how harsh Charlotte Bronte's criticism of both The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, and her sister in general, was, going so far as to prevent The Tenant of Wildfell Hall from being re-published after her death. Then when she died while on a trip to Scarborough with her sister, Charlotte decided not to have Annes' body taken back to be buried with the rest of the family in Haworth and had a very impersonal inscription written on her tombstone. I get the feeling that they weren't close, which is also surprising as I have read that their main contacts were with their own family, they hardly ever saw anyone outside of the household.
Have now finished The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and was pleasantly to find that I actually enjoyed it. Usually when I start to read a book written in a similar era to this one (late 1700s, 1800s or early 1900s) I go in with the only expectation that I'll find it 'interesting.' I was pleasantly surprised because I found I really enjoyed it. I had no trouble with the language, as I have had with previous books (Jane Eyre when I was younger, Persuasion within the last year et al). As most readers would probably agree, I had a bit of trouble sympathising with Helen regarding her husband, Arthur. Living in the current era I can't imagine putting up with Arthur's behaviour for so long and I certainly can't imagine going back to him while he is dying only to have him continue to verbally abuse me. I would have thrown the cooling washcloth at him and left him to his own devices, but then I'm as far from religiously motivated as you can imagine.
June 19, 2014
Agnes Grey is a wonderful novel. Similar to Jane Eyre by it's poor heroine without much beauty. It is not quite as rich in drama, but more realistic. In fact, from the very beginning, I identified myself much with Agnes so I felt everything she felt. I would not say it is better than Jane Eyre, but I was satisfied in my looking for the same kind of story.
Just when I was wondering why romance novels heroes were always rich, intelligent but not so handsome and heroines always poor and beautiful, I happened to read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, with its wealthy and intelligent heroine and comparatively poor but handsome and rather intelligent hero. It is rather dark for a romance novel. I could not quite identify with the Christ-like heroine though, and I hated her faults as much as her husband's.
I would characterize Agnes Grey as a pleasant romance novel and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall as a Christian romance novel, with strong morals and life lessons.
Just when I was wondering why romance novels heroes were always rich, intelligent but not so handsome and heroines always poor and beautiful, I happened to read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, with its wealthy and intelligent heroine and comparatively poor but handsome and rather intelligent hero. It is rather dark for a romance novel. I could not quite identify with the Christ-like heroine though, and I hated her faults as much as her husband's.
I would characterize Agnes Grey as a pleasant romance novel and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall as a Christian romance novel, with strong morals and life lessons.
July 30, 2016
До сестер ей конечно далеко. Те умели выносить читателям мозги.
Но в целом неплохо. Скучноватая история про Настоящую любовь в английском пасторальном антураже. Слишком много морализаторства близкого к ханжеству, слишком много религиозного восторга, все эмоции и чувства героев слегка через край. Романтический герой откровенно так себе личность. А Героиня так просто Воплощение Всех Земных Добродетелей Освещенная Ореолом Святости и Мученичества. Пффф.
Но в целом неплохо. Скучноватая история про Настоящую любовь в английском пасторальном антураже. Слишком много морализаторства близкого к ханжеству, слишком много религиозного восторга, все эмоции и чувства героев слегка через край. Романтический герой откровенно так себе личность. А Героиня так просто Воплощение Всех Земных Добродетелей Освещенная Ореолом Святости и Мученичества. Пффф.
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