The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte Book Analysis

1. *How would you describe Mrs Graham?

She is unlike most women her age, she opposes common notions of the woman’s role in society and life, she is not afraid to stand up for her beliefs and thinks life is improved by affection even for boys. She lives alone, without a husband, which further emphasizes her independence and disregard for norms. Before even knowing her, Mrs Markham thinks of her as uncivilized, ridiculous and even says “save your son from ruin as yourself!” (p. 118) which says a lot about how excentric she is considered to be at this time in history. 

I picture her as young but mature, when talking about her servant she says “she is too old to run after a child, and he is too mercurial to be tied to an elderly woman.” (p. 118) which indicates a certain amount of respect for the elderly, a common trait in younger people. Furthermore, her choice of words such as "old" and "elderly" are not typically spoken by the elderly themselves. Not much is said about her apperance, however Mr Markham says she has a “sweet, pale face and lofty brow” (p.119); this selection of words describe a younger woman but with some life experience, the words “sweet” and “pale” can be associated with a young woman’s facial features, while the word “lofty” indicates some maturity and confidence.

Her most outstanding quality, in my opinion, is her assertiveness. She stands firm in her own beliefs and is not willing to be pushed around by others. Initially, when arguing about Arthurs upbringing and masculinity, she refrains from insulting her opponents. Conversely, Mrs Markham calls her "ruin" and throughout the conversation she attacks Mrs Grahams competence as apposed to her arguments — which is not very assertive. An example of this behaviour can be seen on page 120:

‘Well, Mrs Graham,' said my mother, wiping the tears of merriment from her bright blue eyes — 'well, you surprise me! I really gave you credit for having more sense. The poor child will be the veriest milksop that ever was sopped! Only think what a man you will make of him, if you persist in ?'

'I think it a very excellent plan,' interrupted Mrs Graham with imperturbable gravity. 'By that means I hope to save him from one degrading vice at least. I wish I could render the incentives to every other equally innoxious in his case.'. (p.120)

Here, Mrs Markham insults her both as a person saying "I really gave you credit for having more sense!", and as a mother when calling her son a "poor child" and blaming her for it. Mrs Graham however, stands up for herself without insulting anyone.

One could argue that by not hearing Mr Markham out (on p.124), that she is displaying non-assertive qualities. While that may be the case, up until that point she was more assertive than the others. Also, after having been disrespected so many times, even the most assertive of beings would be disinclined to listen to more of what her company has to say. Therefore, I accept and understand her leaving the discussion, as it clearly was not going anywhere.

2. *Find a quote from the extract that could illustrate the general opinions of this period on the upbringing of boys and girls

'... if you were to rear an oak sapling [metaphor for a boy] in a hot-house, tending it carefully night and day, and shielding it from every breath of wind, you could not expect it to become a hardy tree. [...] you would have her [a young girl] be tenderly and delicately nurtured, like a hot-house plant – taught to cling to others for direction and support, and guarded, as much as possible, from the very knowledge of evil.' (p. 122).

  While this quote may generalize the opinions of the nineteenth century, as opinions surely were more complex than this, it conveys the notion that boys should withstand pain and solve whatever challenges comes their way, while girls are to be guarded from these challenges by men.

3. *Mrs Graham says, ‘in the nobler sex, there is a natural tendency to goodness, guarded by a superior fortitude, which, the more it is exercised by trials and dangers is only the further developed.’.

a) What does Mrs Graham mean?

By the nobler sex, she is referring to the male sex. The tendency to goodness is what every parent wants to promote or protect, as it may be the fundemental property of a good person. Mrs Graham is essentially insinuating that Mr Markham thinks the goodness of a person is fortified to a greater extent if men are exposed to danger.

b) Explain Mr Markham’s reaction to this statement.

He denies those claims saying "Heaven forbid that I should think so!" (p. 123), but is not quick enough in responding to the statement, consquently having to listen to Mrs Graham further dismantle his supposed stance on the matter.

4. *Mr Markham likens a girl to a hot-house plant. What does he mean by this?

It could be the case that this question is incorrectly stated, as it is not Mr Markham likening a girl to a hot-house plant, but Mrs Graham, in response to his oak-sapling metaphore. Whatever the case may be, likening a girl to a hot-house plant is essentially saying that the girl needs to be delicately taken care of to survive. It is generally the case that a hot-house plant cannot survive on it's own and would not last if left out in the wild nature. Thus, likening a girl, or any person for that matter, to a hot-house plant, would imply that they are not independent and need a caretaker (in this case a man) to survive. Also, Mrs Graham says about a girl: "... guarded, as much as possible, from the very knowledge of evil" (p.122); a plant residing in a hot house is well shielded against the brutal weather and climate that other plants have to endure — like a girl whom is not exposed to any vices or dangers.

5. *Describe Mrs Graham’s prejudice against men. How is it conveyed?

It is conveyed through both her language and behaviour. One indication of this, is her approach to raising her son. It is obvious that she does not want him to be like "the rest of mankind" as said in the quote below.

'And why should I take it for granted that my son will be one in a thousand — and not rather prepare for the worst, and suppose he will be like like his — like the rest of mankind...' (p.121)

Furthermore, this quote displays a lack of respect for men in general. It is not that she does not believe in Arthur, if she thought he was a hopeless case she would not have spent som much time and affection on him. What she actually despices is the idea of him turning out like the other men of his time, and this shows a prejudice against men. 

In the quote below, when conveying her interpretation of the masculine approach to life — her choice of vocabulary yet again hints at a prejudice against men.

'I see the whole race of mankind (with very few rare exceptions) stubling and blundering along the path of life, sinking into every pitfall, and breaking their shins over every impediment that lies in their way...'. (p.121)

The choice of verbs in this statement are all of the kind that degrades the actions of men, while similarly, the words "pitfall" and "shins" are conveying weakness (eg. a strong man would break their *bones*). She is also generalising here, which shows a prejudice against mankind as a whole.