The Brontë Project 2021 discussion

Let's discuss Volume 3 of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall!

I just finished the book today and absolutely loved it, although I found it slow to get into but once we get to Helen’s diary it really starts to take off.

The characters are quite different and have a lot of depth. We really see a different view of this time period as I can’t think of another book that so honestly shows what it was like for a woman with a drunkard husband such as Arthur and to see how he brings his wild life home and flaunts it in front of her.

I like Gilbert though he is a bit hot headed, jumping to conclusions, hitting out at people and being generally moody. I also found Helen just a touch too religious and though I think this is a part of her character that sustains her, it becomes a bit much by the end of the novel.

I finished the book a little while ago and am trying to recall as much of it that i can remember.
I liked the plot of the novel--the suspense was well maintained especially when the readers were trying to figure out who Mrs. Graham was
The pacing for me however felt a little inconsistent especially in the middle section where her letters were read. It felt a lot more slowed down as we see in succession Arthur Huntingdon descending into depravity. And the chapters at the end when he died and Helen and Gilbert were reunited suddenly felt a lot more sped up.

I loved the Tenant of Wildfell Hall! I enjoyed it even more than Villette, which has been my favourite of all Bronte-novels until now.
I think Anne is becoming my favourite Bronte. I like her writing and her characters, which are so believable and true-to-life. I like Helen and Gilbert, but even the abhorrent Arthur Huntingdon is a very believable character.
Especially I enjoyed Chapter 45, when Helen and Gilbert discuss whether it might be consolation to hope for a reunion in Heaven, as they are not allowed to live together in this life. Gilbert says: "It gives me little consolation to think I shall next behold you as a disembodied spirit..." and later: "But can you, Helen, contemplate with delight this prospect of losing me in a sea of glory?" How poignant!
And I adore Helen when she at last proposes to Gilbert, who doesn't dare because of the social differences between them.
No wonder that this novel was a scandal at its time! And it is still relevant today. Even in the 21th century there are women who believe they can save a bad man if only their love is strong enough - ending up trapped in abusive relationships.

I think this is my favorite Brontë novel to date, or very near to it. I’m sad that Anne’s life was so short and she didn’t have time to develop more as a writer, because this book was so interesting, had great characters and themes and I just loved it.