The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

von Anne Brontë

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall challenged the prevailing morals of the Victorian era. Especially shocking, at the time, was Helen's slamming of her bedroom door in the face of her husband, thereby overturning the sexual politics. It is considered to be one of the first feminist novels. The main character, Helen, is spirited and forthright, unafraid to speak to the men in her life with frankness. Anne Brontë portrays this as desirable, compared to the meekness of Milicent, who is trampled and ignored by her unrepentant husband. Vice is not unique to the men, however; Lady Lowborough's adultery has a particularly devastating effect on her husband, and the malice of Eliza Millward is poisonous to the entire community.