The Tenant of Wildfell Hall: Analysis of Major Characters

Author: Anne Brontë

First published: 1848

Genre: Novel

Locale: England

Plot: Social realism

Time: The 1820's

Gilbert Markham, a kindhearted, industrious, and passionate young farmer. In a series of letters written to his brother-in-law, he tells the story of his romance with the mysterious woman who is the new tenant of Wildfell Hall. At first unable to get through her protective shell of coldness and aloofness, Gilbert finally discovers her story, and his sincere sympathy and interest in her work as a landscape painter endear him to her. After several years of separation, faithful Gilbert marries his loved one.

Mrs. Helen Graham, in reality Mrs. Arthur Huntingdon, the mysterious tenant of Wildfell Hall. Seemingly a cold and self-contained woman, she jealously guards her son Arthur from any outside interference when she first arrives at Wildfell Hall, where she is content to walk about the countryside and sketch the landscape. The village gossip is that she is carrying on an affair with her landlord, Frederick Lawrence. Eventually, she reveals her story to Gilbert Markham and allows him to read her private journal. He learns that she had been brought up by her rich uncle and aunt and that she had fallen unwisely in love with Arthur Huntingdon, a handsome but wayward young man. Although warned by her aunt not to marry Arthur, Helen did so willfully and thus began a marriage of horror. Faithful and loving, she endured much from her wild and dissipated husband. Finally, when she realized that his profligate ways were affecting their son adversely and that he was carrying on an affair with the wife of one of his friends, Helen left him and fled to Wildfell Hall, to be near the home of her brother. There she meets Gilbert Markham, whose kindness and true affection win her heart.

Arthur Huntingdon, a selfish, reckless young man of profligate habits. Although truly in love with his young wife at the time of their marriage, he cannot give up his former carefree and wicked life, and his character begins to deteriorate. Unable to adapt himself to a domestic situation, he takes more and more journeys to London and then begins to bring his riotous friends home to Grasslands, his country estate. Soon he becomes involved in an affair with Lady Annabella Lowborough, whose husband is one of his friends. When he discovers that his wife Helen is painting pictures to enable her to accumulate enough money to leave him, he has all of her artist's supplies destroyed. He dies a horrible death after drinking wine in defiance of his doctor's orders, and his death leaves Helen free to marry Gilbert Markham. Branwell Brontë served as the model for his sister's portrait of a man wasting his life in dissipation.

Frederick Lawrence, a sheltered, shy, and self-contained man, Helen Graham's brother. No one in the parish knows their relationship, and the gossips believe that he is carrying on an illicit affair with the strange tenant of Wildfell Hall, the family home he had deserted for another residence in a nearby parish. When Gilbert Markham learns the truth after reading Helen's journal, the gossip ceases.

Rose Markham, a tidy, plump young woman with a round face, bright blooming cheeks, glossy clustering curls, and merry brown eyes. Devoted to her brother Gilbert, she hesitates to believe the gossip about Helen Graham. She marries Mr. Halford.

Mrs. Markham, Gilbert's widowed mother. She is a favorite in the parish and often entertains her many friends. Much impressed with Helen Graham, she finds it difficult to believe the gossip about her.

Fergus Markham, Gilbert's younger brother, a good-natured, teasing, and lazy lad who supplies much of the humor in the story.

The Reverend Michael Millward, a tall, ponderous, elderly gentleman of fixed principles, strong prejudices, and regular habits. Because he is intolerant of dissent of any kind and believes that his opinions are always right, he chides Helen Graham for not attending church. He readily believes the stories told about her and attempts to lecture her on her conduct. He is practically turned away from Wildfell Hall for his pains.

Eliza Millward, the vicar's younger daughter, a plump, charming young woman in love with Gilbert Markham. Like a pretty, playful kitten, she is sometimes roguish, sometimes timid and demure. She is responsible for many of the tales told about Helen Graham because she sees in her a rival for Gilbert's hand.

Mary Millward, her sister, several years older, a plain, quiet young woman of warmer disposition than her sister. She has been the family housekeeper and drudge all her life. Gilbert Markham remarks that she is “loved and courted by all the dogs and cats but slighted and neglected by everybody else.”

Mrs. Wilson, a narrow-minded, tattling village gossip whose garrulous nature causes her to spread tales about Mrs. Graham.

Robert Wilson, her older son, a rough, countrified bumpkin.

Richard Wilson, her younger son, a retiring and studious young man. With the vicar's assistance, he studies the classics in preparation for college. He plans to enter the church.

Jane Wilson, their sister. She has a boarding school education and elegant manners, but her social ambitions will allow her to take only a gentleman for a husband. She has her eye on Frederick Lawrence, the young squire who formerly occupied Wildfell Hall.

Rachel, Helen Graham's servant and devoted companion. Aware of her mistress' situation at Wildfell Hall, she is cold and suspicious of their neighbors.

Arthur Huntingdon, called Arthur Graham, Helen's fun-loving, affectionate small son. Greatly attracted to Gilbert Markham, he serves to introduce that gentleman and his mother.

Mr. Boarham, a fashionable young gentleman and Helen's suitor before her marriage to Arthur Huntingdon. Reflecting his name, Boarham is a boring person, and in spite of her aunt's approval, Helen cannot tolerate him.

Mr. Wilmot, a wealthy old man who pursues Helen. He is greatly surprised by her refusal of his hand.

Annabella, Mr. Wilmot's niece, a dashing young woman who seems too much of a flirt ever to marry. She does marry Lord Lowborough, however, but carries on affairs afterward, including a serious one with Arthur Huntingdon.

Lord Lowborough, Arthur Huntingdon's friend, a sober, tall, and thin gentleman with a sickly, careworn aspect. Through his marriage to Annabella, he hopes to acquire some peace in life, but he fails to do so because of her waywardness.

Millicent Hargrave, Annabella's cousin and Helen's good friend. After Millicent's unfortunate marriage to Mr. Hattersley, she endures the same sort of life that Helen does, having to put up with the drinking bouts and wild conduct of her husband. Her life becomes more comfortable after Mr. Hattersley, observing the fate of Arthur Huntingdon, reforms and becomes a gentle and devoted husband.

Mr. Hattersley, Millicent's wild husband and Arthur Huntingdon's companion on excursions to London. During the early years of their marriage, he browbeats and torments his wife, but eventually he changes for the better.

Walter Hargrave, Millicent's brother. Enamored of Helen, he pursues her with offers of protection and marriage during her unhappy life with Arthur Huntingdon. Although he belongs to the London drinking, gaming, and hunting set, he is less boisterous and more temperate than the others.

Benson, the Huntingdon butler. Devoted to Helen, he helps her to escape from Grasslands.

Miss Myers, a sullen young woman hired by Arthur Huntingdon as a governess for his son when he decides to separate his wife from her child.

Mr. Halford, Gilbert Markham's brother-in-law at a later date, to whom Gilbert writes the letters that tell the story of Helen Graham and his own romance with the tenant of Wildfell Hall.