Publisher and Publication Date: Oxford World’s Classics. A first edition and a revised second edition were published in the summer of 1848. The Clarendon text, and this edition, are “based on the first issue of the first edition.” This includes Anne Bronte’s “Preface.” It also has “most” of the edited corrections from the second edition. These corrections are in grammar or to make the sentences clear. I will speak more on this in the “My Thoughts” section. My Oxford publication is 1998. Genre: Classic British literature. 19th century. Format: Paperback. Pages: I count 523 pages with print. Source: Purchase.
Rating: I had mixed feelings about the story in the beginning. After completing the story, I have given the book an excellent rating.
Link at Amazon for the Kindle edition which does not have all of the supplemental material of the Oxford World’s Classic edition.
Link to Barnes and Noble: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
To read more information about this book: Oxford World’s Classics-The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
Summary:
Rural England-in the north. 1821-1830. Conclusion is dated 1847.
The story is written also in an epistolary and journal entry format.
Helen Huntingdon and her young son move into an old manor called Wildfell Hall. The property is described as “wild looking.”
She is an artist. A painter.
Neighbors in the village speculate about Helen. They make assumptions and judgements. They gossip.
Mr. Gilbert Markham makes eye contact with Mrs. Huntingdon during a church service. He too quickly makes a judgement about her based-on presumption.
On a day when Mr. Markham was out with his dog and gun, they had an encounter. Their first official meeting did not go well.
Later, Mrs. Huntingdon, and her son, Arthur, are at the Markham home where she is criticized for how she is raising her son.
Mrs. Huntingdon and Mr. Markham begin a friendship. And feelings develop.
My Thoughts:
I love reading about the background of the writing of stories. This is why I enjoyed reading the “Introduction”, “Note on the Text”, the two-page spread of edits in the three editions, a bibliography, a chronology of Anne Bronte; and a “Preface To The Second Edition” by Anne Bronte where she addresses the “critics” who remark on whether the writer was a man or a woman and how the sexes are portrayed.
Before reading the story, I had read it is a study of and has a theme of relationships. I agree. It’s a huge and busy theme of varying types of relationships. I enjoyed creating a mental list of the different types of relationships the book includes.
Some examples of relationships: courting, marriage, male and male friendship, male and female friendship, mother and young son, mother and adult son, brothers and sisters, and father and young son.
Other themes in the story are gossip, criticism, and judging people. For example, Helen Huntingdon is criticized because of the way she has chosen to raise her son. However, the older mother of Mr. Markham who is the critical person, she does not see her own choices and faults.
Helen is criticized and judged because she makes a bold decision to flee her tormentor and abuser. She tries to remain private. She wants to protect her son. But the village speculates about the kind of woman she is, not knowing the circumstance.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is a keen observer of people. I love this. I love it that it includes different types of character traits and lifestyles. From those who are resilient and private to those who are manipulative and calculating. The pious, critical, and judging to those who have compassion. A woman in the early 19th century is able to secure a reputable income to a man who is secretive and has an addiction.
I love stories where the characters have a transformation. They were headed in one direction of thought and idea and action, and they turn around to see things clearer.
In this story, I read about patient people. I love patient people. It is a breath of fresh air. I love to read about people who are patient with one another, and they wait for the appropriate time. This is rare. People generally want what they want right now.
Early in the story, Mr. Markham lashes out at another man in a rage of jealousy. I hate this. I did not want Helen to have anything to do with an abuser. I put the book down and thought about not continuing. But I can’t do that. I had to know the rest of the story.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is one of my favorite classic literature stories because of the themes, the strong female lead character, the atmosphere and tension, the plot, and the conversations or dialogue.
Further themes in the story: marriage and abuse, addictions, infidelity, mother and young child, injustice, justice, sacrifice, honor, wisdom, shame, fear, guilt, courage, bravery, honesty, jealousy, beauty, and hope.
I’m not a fan of journal entries and epistolary writing in a story, but it works well for this book.
I dislike the reverend being a prejudice and “intolerant” person. He is not helpful. He had the chance to be of help and to shepherd Mrs. Huntingdon, he failed. Yet, I know from life that this is sometimes the case.
March 19, 2024
[Review] The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte | Impressions In Ink
maximios Review
Publisher and Publication Date: Oxford World’s Classics. A first edition and a revised second edition were published in the summer of 1848. The Clarendon text, and this edition, are “based on the first issue of the first edition.” This includes Anne Bronte’s “Preface.” It also has “most” of the edited corrections from the second edition. These corrections are in grammar or to make the sentences clear. I will speak more on this in the “My Thoughts” section. My Oxford publication is 1998. Genre: Classic British literature. 19th century. Format: Paperback. Pages: I count 523 pages with print. Source: Purchase.
Rating: I had mixed feelings about the story in the beginning. After completing the story, I have given the book an excellent rating.
Link at Amazon for the Kindle edition which does not have all of the supplemental material of the Oxford World’s Classic edition.
Link to Barnes and Noble: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
To read more information about this book: Oxford World’s Classics-The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
Summary:
Rural England-in the north. 1821-1830. Conclusion is dated 1847.
The story is written also in an epistolary and journal entry format.
Helen Huntingdon and her young son move into an old manor called Wildfell Hall. The property is described as “wild looking.”
She is an artist. A painter.
Neighbors in the village speculate about Helen. They make assumptions and judgements. They gossip.
Mr. Gilbert Markham makes eye contact with Mrs. Huntingdon during a church service. He too quickly makes a judgement about her based-on presumption.
On a day when Mr. Markham was out with his dog and gun, they had an encounter. Their first official meeting did not go well.
Later, Mrs. Huntingdon, and her son, Arthur, are at the Markham home where she is criticized for how she is raising her son.
Mrs. Huntingdon and Mr. Markham begin a friendship. And feelings develop.
My Thoughts:
I love reading about the background of the writing of stories. This is why I enjoyed reading the “Introduction”, “Note on the Text”, the two-page spread of edits in the three editions, a bibliography, a chronology of Anne Bronte; and a “Preface To The Second Edition” by Anne Bronte where she addresses the “critics” who remark on whether the writer was a man or a woman and how the sexes are portrayed.
Before reading the story, I had read it is a study of and has a theme of relationships. I agree. It’s a huge and busy theme of varying types of relationships. I enjoyed creating a mental list of the different types of relationships the book includes.
Some examples of relationships: courting, marriage, male and male friendship, male and female friendship, mother and young son, mother and adult son, brothers and sisters, and father and young son.
Other themes in the story are gossip, criticism, and judging people. For example, Helen Huntingdon is criticized because of the way she has chosen to raise her son. However, the older mother of Mr. Markham who is the critical person, she does not see her own choices and faults.
Helen is criticized and judged because she makes a bold decision to flee her tormentor and abuser. She tries to remain private. She wants to protect her son. But the village speculates about the kind of woman she is, not knowing the circumstance.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is a keen observer of people. I love this. I love it that it includes different types of character traits and lifestyles. From those who are resilient and private to those who are manipulative and calculating. The pious, critical, and judging to those who have compassion. A woman in the early 19th century is able to secure a reputable income to a man who is secretive and has an addiction.
I love stories where the characters have a transformation. They were headed in one direction of thought and idea and action, and they turn around to see things clearer.
In this story, I read about patient people. I love patient people. It is a breath of fresh air. I love to read about people who are patient with one another, and they wait for the appropriate time. This is rare. People generally want what they want right now.
Early in the story, Mr. Markham lashes out at another man in a rage of jealousy. I hate this. I did not want Helen to have anything to do with an abuser. I put the book down and thought about not continuing. But I can’t do that. I had to know the rest of the story.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is one of my favorite classic literature stories because of the themes, the strong female lead character, the atmosphere and tension, the plot, and the conversations or dialogue.
Further themes in the story: marriage and abuse, addictions, infidelity, mother and young child, injustice, justice, sacrifice, honor, wisdom, shame, fear, guilt, courage, bravery, honesty, jealousy, beauty, and hope.
I’m not a fan of journal entries and epistolary writing in a story, but it works well for this book.
I dislike the reverend being a prejudice and “intolerant” person. He is not helpful. He had the chance to be of help and to shepherd Mrs. Huntingdon, he failed. Yet, I know from life that this is sometimes the case.