The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is the second and the last novel by Anne Brontë. The novel published in 1848 under pseudonym, Acton Bell. Many elements of the novel follow her experience as a governess. The Theme of this book is Love and Marriage, also
Anne Brontë raised the alcholicsm issue and it’s effect on the household.“I am not sure the loneliness of the place was not one of its chief recommendations – I take pleasure in watching people pass the windows; and I like to be quiet.” (Helen)
Helen’s out-of-the-box thinking is different from the women in the village, but makes Gilbert love Helen even more. Gilbert tends to like women who are smart and agree with him. However, the news of the scandal still really affected Gilbert, who was basically very moody and jealous. He is jealous of Mr. Lawrence so he did what he shouldn’t have done to Mr. Lawrence. Everything about Helen made Gilbert curious, he wanted to follow up on his relationship with her, what kind of relationship she had with Mr. Lawrence? who is the father of her child? and he wants to know more. Then Helen gave him her diary, everything Gilbert wanted to know was in it.
“If you would have your son to walk honorably through the world, you must not attempt to clear the stones from his path, but teach him to walk firmly over them – not insist upon leading him by the hand, but let him learn to go alone.” (Helen)
and about marriage:
“…. When I tell you not to marry without love, I do not advise you to marry for love alone – there are many, many other things to be considered. Keep both heart and hand in your own possession, till you see good reason to part with them; and if such an occasion should never present itself, comfort your mind with this reflection: that, though in single life your joys may not be very many, your sorrows, at least will not be more than you can bear. Marriage may change your circumstances for the better, but in myprivate opinion, it is far more likely to produce a contrary result” (Helen)
“Dear Arthur! What did I not owe to you for this and every other happy meeting? – Through him, I was at once delivered from all fonnality, and terror, and constraint. In love affairs, there is no mediator like a merry, simple-hearted child – ever ready to cement divided hearts, to span the unfriendly gulf of custom, to melt the ice of cold reserve, and overthrow the separating walls of dread fonnality and pride.” ( Gilbert )
At the very last, I love everything in this book, I would read a hundred novels of Anne Brontë if it’s really exist. This book is my favorite, every line, every conversation is meaningfull.
Rating Ruang Buku Megga : ✭✭✭✭✭ (5/5)
Pages : 394 pages
