The Tenant of Wildfell Hall A Victorian Novel of Marriage, Independence, and Moral Courage

First published in 1847, Anne Brontë’s novel is true pioneer work for feminism and her novel is said to be the first feminist novel. It is a clear protest to the social conventions of the time. Drawing on Anne’s personal experience in a household with an alcoholic and abusive master, the storyline is absolutely gripping. Anne’s brother was also an employee of this same household, introducing him to all the worst vices for “amusement”, which also was his downfall. You definitely feel the real experience of the novelist transpiring through the narrative… Helen Graham decides to break the conventions and flees her brutal, toxic and alcoholic husband, as soon as she sees that he tries to take their young son in his vices. The passage of Arthur Jr. being forced to drink strong liquor and say bad words not only to please his father, but also to entertain his friends is truly heartbreaking. Helen decides to make an escape, thoroughly planning it ahead and with thesupport of very few people. In 1847 it was completely illegal for a woman to make an escape from her husband, to be financially independent and to “kidnap” a descendent. But Helen Graham does. Her tragic and powerful story is embedded in the main narrative, as she tries to build a new life, far from abuse and control from her husband. The strong religious beliefs of the main character Helen can be a bit out of fashion for a contemporary reader, but only underlines her vision and pure aspirations beyond the social conventions which allowed abusive behaviour and did not condemn it at the time. It is a strong novel and certainly my favourite of the year 2021.

At a time when women writers were not encouraged, the Bronte sisters did a wonderful job.