The Tenant of Wildfell Hall · Chapter
Chapter L explained
The chapter recounts the fates of several characters after Huntingdon's death: Lady Lowborough's elopement and decline, Lord Lowborough's remarriage to a virtuous woman, Grimsby's death in a drunken brawl, and Hattersley's reform and happy
What happens
The chapter recounts the fates of several characters after Huntingdon's death: Lady Lowborough's elopement and decline, Lord Lowborough's remarriage to a virtuous woman, Grimsby's death in a drunken brawl, and Hattersley's reform and happy family life. Gilbert Markham, upon learning of Huntingdon's death, struggles with hope and despair regarding Helen's feelings for him, fearing she has forgotten him amid her grief and that social barriers may prevent their union.
Themes in this chapter
Redemption and Moral Reform
Ralph Hattersley's transformation after Huntingdon's death exemplifies the possibility of moral reform, as he abandons dissipation for a virtuous family life.
Hypocrisy and Social Judgment
The contrasting fates of Lady Lowborough (ruin) and Lord Lowborough's second wife (happiness) highlight societal double standards and judgments based on gender and class.
Characters to notice
- Gilbert Markham
Reacts to news of Huntingdon's death with mixed emotions; fears Helen has forgotten him and that social rank may separate them.
- Helen Huntingdon
Now widowed and freed from her husband; Gilbert worries she will forget him after her traumatic experiences.
- Arthur Huntingdon
Has died after a period of suffering; his death releases Helen from her marital bonds.
- Lord Lowborough
Divorces Lady Lowborough after her elopement and remarries a virtuous woman, finding happiness.
- Ralph Hattersley
Reforms after Huntingdon's death, becomes a devoted husband and father, and inherits his father's wealth.
- Frederick Lawrence
Travels to Grassdale to comfort Helen after Huntingdon's death; Gilbert hopes he will support his suit.
Key passages
“Some time before Mr. Huntingdon’s death Lady Lowborough eloped with another gallant to the Continent, where, having lived a while in reckless gaiety and dissipation, they quarrelled and parted. She went dashing on for a season, but years came and money went: she sunk, at length, in difficulty and debt, disgrace and misery; and died at last, as I have heard, in penury, neglect, and utter wretchedness.”
Before Huntingdon died, Lady Lowborough ran off with a lover to Europe, where they lived wildly until they split. She continued recklessly until her money ran out, eventually dying in poverty and disgrace.
Narrates the downfall of Lady Lowborough after her elopement.
“Avoiding the temptations of the town, he continued to pass his life in the country, immersed in the usual pursuits of a hearty, active, country gentleman; his occupations being those of farming, and breeding horses and cattle, diversified with a little hunting and shooting, and enlivened by the occasional companionship of his friends... and the society of his happy little wife (now cheerful and confiding as heart could wish), and his fine family of stalwart sons and blooming daughters.”
Hattersley stayed in the countryside, focusing on farming and horse breeding, enjoying a simple life with his cheerful wife and children.
Describes Hattersley's reformed and contented life after leaving his dissolute ways.
“Had I forgotten my own prospects, my ardent love, my pertinacious hopes? It seemed like sacrilege to revert to them now, but I had not forgotten them. It was, however, with a gloomy sense of the darkness of those prospects, the fallacy of those hopes, and the vanity of that affection, that I reflected on those things as I remounted my horse and slowly journeyed homewards.”
Gilbert questions whether he has forgotten his love for Helen, feeling guilty for thinking of it now, but admits he hasn't; yet he despairs that his hopes are futile.
Gilbert's internal conflict after learning of Helen's freedom.
