3 weeks ago
15
I enjoyed books by the other Brontë sisters so I figured I would give Anne's work a shot too. I was pleased to find Wildfell Hall to be more accessible than Wuthering Heights. That is to say, the narrative is easier to follow, no characters share the same name, and there is no touch of the supernatural to complicate things (at least from what I could tell). Furthermore, I found the dialogue to flow very naturally, which is unusual for a novel this old.
The setting at first is familiar, focusing on an old country manor in a state of disrepair, and its mysterious occupant. We learn her name is Helen and as the story unfolds we get all the details about her horrible marriage and why she fled to Wildfell Hall under a fake name. Alcoholism, domestic abuse, depression, anxiety, and all other manner of topics are explored here, and they are still relevant to our times. At times the story can be horribly violent, and at others remarkably funny and satirical.
The main cast are all written realistically and their characters are well fleshed-out. Helen is enigmatic, witty, and heroic. Gilbert, the narrator, is an intriguing lead for a romance novel, and I went back and forth on what I thought of his character. The secondary cast is just as rich and I was caught up in their fates as well.
Bronte examines in detail the differences in how boys and girls are raised and the consequences that carries for them into adulthood. Helen’s objective in trying to ensure that her son does not become like his father was very interesting. Helen doesn’t agree with the notion “that a boy should not be shielded from evil, but sent out to battle against it, alone and unassisted – not taught to avoid the snares of life, but boldly rush into them”. She goes so far as to give her child spiked wine so he is conditioned to hate it, and will thus be discouraged from drinking and potentially becoming an alcoholic.
It makes me sad that Anne Brontë died so young, and I wonder what she would have produced if she had more time. Especially as Wildfell Hall was already decades ahead of its era in subject matter. It looks like in recent years at least, critics have realized that Anne was just as great a writer as her sisters, and worthy of celebration.
What did you think of the book? Do you agree with Helen’s thoughts on child rearing? Do you like the character of Gilbert? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading!
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