The Tenant of Wildfell Hall · Chapter
XLIII explained
Helen records Mr.
What happens
Helen records Mr. Huntingdon's return and his imposition of a governess, Miss Myers, whom she suspects of improper motives. After confirming her suspicions with Rachel, Helen resolves to flee Grassdale Manor with her son and Rachel. She writes to her brother Frederick to prepare an asylum, and sends farewell letters to Esther Hargrave, Milicent, and her aunt, explaining her decision to protect little Arthur from his father's corrupting influence.
Themes in this chapter
Motherhood and Protection
Helen's primary motivation is to shield little Arthur from his father's corrupting influence, prioritizing his moral and spiritual welfare above her own comfort.
Female Agency and Independence
Helen takes decisive action to flee an abusive marriage, demonstrating autonomy by orchestrating a secret departure and relying on her own resources.
Hypocrisy and Social Judgment
Miss Myers's feigned piety and Huntingdon's manipulative introduction of the governess highlight the hypocrisy within domestic and religious spheres.
Characters to notice
- Helen Huntingdon
Narrates her resolve to escape Grassdale, her preparations for flight, and her fears for her son's moral welfare.
- Arthur Huntingdon
Returns to Grassdale, hires Miss Myers as governess, and continues his dissipated behavior, prompting Helen's flight.
- Little Arthur
Helen's son, whose education and moral purity she seeks to protect by removing him from his father's influence.
- Rachel
Helen's loyal maid, who shares her suspicions of Miss Myers and insists on accompanying Helen and little Arthur into exile.
- Myers
The new governess hired by Huntingdon; Helen distrusts her, suspecting guile and improper relations with Huntingdon.
- Frederick Lawrence
Helen's brother, whom she writes to urgently, asking him to prepare an asylum for her and her son.
Key passages
“I told him it was quite unnecessary, not to say ridiculous, at the present season: I thought I was fully competent to the task of teaching him myself—for some years to come, at least: the child’s education was the only pleasure and business of my life; and since he had deprived me of every other occupation, he might surely leave me that.”
Helen argues that she is perfectly capable of teaching little Arthur herself, and that educating him is her sole remaining joy and purpose, which Huntingdon should not take from her.
Highlights Helen's devotion to her son's education and her resistance to Huntingdon's control.
“I did not mention my suspicions to Rachel; but she, having sojourned for half a century in this land of sin and sorrow, has learned to be suspicious herself. She told me from the first she was 'down of that new governess,' and I soon found she watched her quite as narrowly as I did; and I was glad of it, for I longed to know the truth: the atmosphere of Grassdale seemed to stifle me, and I could only live by thinking of Wildfell Hall.”
Helen notes that Rachel independently distrusted Miss Myers from the start, and their shared vigilance confirms Helen's need to escape the oppressive atmosphere of Grassdale.
Illustrates the bond between Helen and Rachel and the psychological suffocation Helen feels at Grassdale.
“I then wrote three letters of adieu: the first to Esther Hargrave, in which I told her that I found it impossible to stay any longer at Grassdale, or to leave my son under his father’s protection; and, as it was of the last importance that our future abode should be unknown to him and his acquaintance, I should disclose it to no one but my brother...”
Helen sends farewell letters to Esther, Milicent, and her aunt, explaining her flight and asking them to communicate only through her brother Frederick to keep her location secret.
Demonstrates Helen's careful planning and her determination to sever ties with Huntingdon's circle.
