A review by hannahbananali
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, by Anne Brontë
5.0
Oh, do I love the Bronte sisters.
Jane Eyre was the first classic I've ever read. I was in 7th grade and I was swooning over Mr. Rochester.
Wuthering Heights was a challenge taken over a summer course before 9th grade with an exceptional teacher/tutor. My favorite quote of all time is from that book - "Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same"
Now comes The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, read in an upper division Victorian Era course during my sophomore year of college.
I can't describe how amazing this book was. It truly is a feminist testament, because unlike her sister's famed works, this isn't a romance. This is a depiction of a woman's marriage - a disastrous one that features an abusive, alcoholic, insanely selfish husband. This is a novel about a woman's struggle for independence and freedom, deliberating over duty and morality. I think the context and time period in which this book was written further adds to the sheer bravery of Anne Bronte. She criticized the "Angel in the House" view on women, men's complete and total dominance over women, and the terrible harm vices have on a family. She empowered Helen Graham and made her strong in her own way and dutiful in another.
I strongly recommend everyone to read this book. It is quite easy to follow and the language is not difficult to interpret. Don't let this classic intimidate you - READ IT.
Jane Eyre was the first classic I've ever read. I was in 7th grade and I was swooning over Mr. Rochester.
Wuthering Heights was a challenge taken over a summer course before 9th grade with an exceptional teacher/tutor. My favorite quote of all time is from that book - "Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same"
Now comes The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, read in an upper division Victorian Era course during my sophomore year of college.
I can't describe how amazing this book was. It truly is a feminist testament, because unlike her sister's famed works, this isn't a romance. This is a depiction of a woman's marriage - a disastrous one that features an abusive, alcoholic, insanely selfish husband. This is a novel about a woman's struggle for independence and freedom, deliberating over duty and morality. I think the context and time period in which this book was written further adds to the sheer bravery of Anne Bronte. She criticized the "Angel in the House" view on women, men's complete and total dominance over women, and the terrible harm vices have on a family. She empowered Helen Graham and made her strong in her own way and dutiful in another.
I strongly recommend everyone to read this book. It is quite easy to follow and the language is not difficult to interpret. Don't let this classic intimidate you - READ IT.