The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë

Author: Anne Brontë | Published: 1848

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall Book Summary

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë is a classic novel published in 1848. It follows the story of Helen Graham, a beautiful and enigmatic woman who moves into the rural Wildfell Hall. Her mysterious past and strange behavior quickly cause the locals to gossip and speculate about her. Enter Gilbert Markham, a young, handsome farmer instantly entranced by Helen and determined to uncover the truth about her past.

Helen is a young widow with a complicated relationship with her late husband, Arthur Huntingdon. Arthur is a wealthy and powerful man. He is also an alcoholic and a womanizer who lives a life of debauchery and selfishness. It is widely believed that Arthur, the main character in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, was loosely based on Anne's brother, Branwell Brontë. Branwell suffered from an addiction to alcohol and opium, which aggravated his health and eventually led to his death at a young age.

The impressive Blake Hall at Mirfield, where Anne had served as a governess, may have inspired Grassdale Manor, the idyllic country estate of Arthur Huntingdon.

After Anne Brontë's death, her sister Charlotte ensured the work remained unpublished in England until 1854.

Notable characters: Helen Graham, Gilbert Markham, Arthur Huntingdon, Lady Lowborough, Frederick Lawrence, Jane Wilson, Eliza Millward, Little Arthur Huntingdon, Walter Hargrave

About Anne Brontë

Anne Bronte, the youngest of the Bronte sisters, was born in 1820 in Thornton, Yorkshire, England. The three Brontë sisters jointly published a volume of poetry, Poems of Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell, in 1846, under the pseudonyms of Currer (Charlotte), Ellis (Emily), and Acton Bell (Anne). The poetry collection was not well-received and sold only two copies. However, the sisters did not give up and wrote some of the most influential works during the Victorian era, with novels such as Wuthering Heights (Emily Brontë), The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (Anne Brontë), and Jane Eyre (Charlotte Brontë). Anne's first novel, Agnes Grey, was published in 1847, and her second and final novel, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, followed in 1848. Anne Bronte passed away in 1849 at the age of only 29. Find out more about Anne Brontë at sevenov.com.

Anne Brontë's Books on PageVio

Novels: Agnes Grey | The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Poetry: Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell

Here's a full list of Anne Brontë's books.