The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

In October 1827, Gilbert Markham, a gentleman farmer, lives with his mother, sister Rose—whom he hints will later become Halford’s wife—and brother Fergus on the family farm. Over tea, Gilbert learns that a young single woman, presumably a widow, has taken up residence at the nearby Wildfell Hall. His family and visiting neighbors report that the widow, Mrs. Graham, is not very friendly, nor does she seem knowledgeable about the small household matters that Mrs. Markham thinks “every lady ought to be familiar with” (39).

Gilbert studies the new arrival at church and concludes that she is attractive but not of “soft or amiable temper” (41). He is piqued when she catches his stare and gives him a scornful look, telling himself he could change her mind if he wished.

Gilbert has been flirting with Eliza Millward, the vicar’s younger daughter, but his mother disapproves of a union between them. Gilbert describes his other neighbors, including Mary Millward, Eliza’s sensible and trustworthy sister; the ponderous Reverend Millward, prone to lecturing; and the family of the gossipy Mrs. Wilson, which includes two sons and a daughter, Jane, who has her eye on Mr. Lawrence, the young squire whose family inhabited Wildfell Hall several years ago. Gilbert promises to say more if Halford wishes to hear it.

Gilbert is hunting in their neighborhood of Linden-Car and ventures near Wildfell Hall, a property he describes as rough and practically savage. The Hall itself is picturesque but gloomy. Gilbert rescues a little boy of about five who falls as he climbs the garden wall. He is surprised when Mrs. Graham rushes into the garden in some distress and behaves as if Gilbert meant to harm the boy. When he smiles at her, she responds with another proud, cold look that stings Gilbert’s pride. He visits the vicarage to see Eliza Millward and is mollified when she flirts with him, teasing him about how gentlemen dislike old maids and maintaining “a cheerful and animated, though not very profound conversation” (49).

Mrs. Graham visits the Markhams, bringing her son, Arthur, with her as she never leaves him alone. Gilbert perceives that she is nervous when Arthur approaches him. Mrs. Markham serves wine and cake, and when Mrs. Graham explains that she has done what she can to make Arthur detest wine, Mrs. Graham exclaims that she will make the boy a “milksop” and it will ruin a boy “to be always tied to his mother’s apron string” (52). Gilbert argues that she will not teach the boy to be virtuous by removing temptation but rather by teaching him to deal with the temptations he encounters, just as the oak sapling that is too shielded will not grow into a hardy tree.

Mrs. Markham says she hopes Mrs. Graham will not undertake the boy’s education all by herself, since it will spoil his spirit to treat him like a girl. Mrs. Graham objects that girls are “tenderly and delicately nurtured, like a hothouse plant” (56), taught to cling to others and kept in an ignorance confused with innocence. She believes that both girls and boys should be given the benefit of experience in the world and taught self-respect and self-reliance. Though he feels he argues well, Gilbert is annoyed that Mrs. Graham seems to have developed a prejudice against him without knowing his character or principles.

The Markhams host a party, which Mrs. Graham does not attend. Mr. Millward lectures, Mrs. Wilson gossips, Richard Wilson is teased for being scholarly, and Jane Wilson tries with subtle feminine arts to capture and subdue Mr. Lawrence. Gilbert is on friendly terms with Lawrence, thinking him inoffensive and gentlemanly, if too cool and reserved. Gilbert is pleased that Eliza’s behavior is charming and coquettish with him, and she is eager for his attention.

Conversation turns to Mrs. Graham, and when Mr. Lawrence asks Gilbert what he thinks of her, Gilbert replies: “She is handsome—or rather I should say distinguished and interesting—in her appearance, but by no means amiable—a woman liable to take strong prejudices” (65).

A discussion ensues on temperance, abstinence, and excess. Mr. Millward favors moderation, but Frederick Lawrence defends Mrs. Graham’s choice to make her son hate alcohol, noting that some people are unable to be temperate. Gilbert steals a kiss from Eliza but is caught by his mother, who lectures him that Eliza is not good enough for him; she lacks beauty, cleverness, or kindness and is “as artful a little hussy as anybody need wish to see” (67), in Mrs. Markham’s opinion.

Rose and Gilbert visit Wildfell Hall and discover that Mrs. Graham paints and sells the pictures to support herself. However, she has labeled a painting of Wildfell Hall with a different name as well as false initials, and she admits that she desires to conceal her place of residence from certain acquaintances. When she steps out to speak with the person who sells her pictures in London, Gilbert uncovers a portrait of a young, handsome man. Mrs. Graham calls his snooping impertinent but then apologizes for her abruptness, and Gilbert feels more cordial towards her.

Over the next four months, Gilbert meets Mrs. Graham often while she is out walking and develops a friendship with her as well as Arthur. Gilbert tells himself that although he does not plan to fall in love with the young widow, it is time to stop encouraging Eliza Millward.

One day Gilbert finds Mrs. Graham sketching by a brook. He leaves off supervising his agricultural workers to give Arthur a ride on a nearby horse while she paints. When he walks her home, Gilbert asks Mrs. Graham if she is lonely, but she says she is grateful for the refuge she has found. Gilbert meets Mr. Lawrence headed to Wildfell Hall. When Lawrence asks if Gilbert is in love with Mrs. Graham, he insists that he is not.

At home, Rose complains over tea that their mother favors Gilbert and arranges everything to his liking. Mrs. Markham scolds her that in household matters, women should have only two concerns: “what’s proper to be done, and secondly, what’s most agreeable to the gentleman of the house—anything will do for the ladies” (78). When Gilbert replies that, when he is married, he hopes he will find pleasure in making his wife happy, Mrs. Markham says a man grows tired of petting and humoring his wife. She believes it is the husband’s duty to please himself and the wife’s duty to please the husband.

Gilbert accompanies Fergus, Rose, and Eliza on a visit to Wildfell Hall, where Fergus questions Mrs. Graham about her history. She avoids these questions and instead asks Gilbert about a place where she can visit the seashore. They organize an excursion that includes the Millward girls and Jane and Richard Wilson. On their journey to the seaside, Gilbert enjoys Mrs. Graham’s company and conversation, a contrast to Eliza’s “playful nonsense” (87). After their picnic, when Mrs. Graham slips away to paint, Gilbert follows her. He envies the quiet companionship between Mary Millward and Richard Wilson, for Mrs. Graham does not encourage his company and declines his offer to walk her home. Gilbert senses that he has disappointed Eliza Millward by showing his preference.

It is June, and Gilbert is working in the hayfield with his farm laborers when the mail brings him a book, Sir Walter Scott’s Marmion. Leaving Fergus to supervise the workers, Gilbert takes the book to Wildfell Hall. While he feels Mrs. Graham has come to think more highly of him, he is unsure of how she will receive a gift. He has taken care to be very casual in his approach, establishing himself as a friend first to her and her son. Mrs. Graham insists she must pay him for the book, for she wants to be under no obligation to him or anyone. Gilbert protests that he has no presumptions, but he leaves feeling hurt by her refusal and thinking that “this premature offering had wellnigh given the death-blow” (95) to his hopes that, in time, Mrs. Graham’s feelings for him will deepen.