The Tenant of Wildfell Hall · Chapter
XXI explained
Helen records her engagement to Arthur Huntingdon, set for Christmas, and reflects on the disapproval of his friends and the mixed reactions of Milicent Hargrave and Annabella Wilmot.
What happens
Helen records her engagement to Arthur Huntingdon, set for Christmas, and reflects on the disapproval of his friends and the mixed reactions of Milicent Hargrave and Annabella Wilmot. She defends Arthur against Milicent's criticisms and exchanges barbs with Annabella, who envies her happiness while pursuing Lord Lowborough.
Themes in this chapter
Gender Roles and Marriage
The chapter centers on Helen's engagement and the societal expectations surrounding marriage, including the reactions of friends and family to the union.
Hypocrisy and Social Judgment
Huntingdon's friends hypocritically lament the loss of their 'jovial band' while Helen and Annabella exchange veiled judgments about each other's choices.
Characters to notice
- Helen Huntingdon
Narrator and diarist; engaged to Arthur Huntingdon, defends him against criticism, and feels increasingly happy in the relationship.
- Arthur Huntingdon
Helen's fiancé; receives letters from friends lamenting his impending marriage, jokes about their complaints, and joins the shooting party.
- Annabella Wilmot
Bridesmaid and friend; expresses envy and rivalry with Helen, wishing she could combine the best qualities of Huntingdon and Lowborough.
- Milicent Hargrave
Bridesmaid and friend; voices surprise at Helen's engagement, criticizes Huntingdon's boldness and appearance, and had hoped Helen would marry her brother Walter.
- Frank Grimsby
Mentioned as one of Huntingdon's friends; his letter is described as a sulky, brief scrawl implying disapproval.
- Ralph Hattersley
Mentioned as another friend; his letter is full of railing accusations and threats to marry in revenge.
Key passages
“Helen, you witch, do you know that you've entailed upon me the curses of all my friends?”
Huntingdon jokingly tells Helen that his friends are angry about their engagement.
Highlights the disapproval from Huntingdon's social circle and his playful tone with Helen.
“I wish that all the attractive points and desirable qualifications of the two gentlemen were united in one—that Lord Lowborough had Huntingdon's handsome face and good temper, and all his wit, and mirth and charm, or else that Huntingdon had Lowborough's pedigree, and title, and delightful old family seat, and I had him; and you might have the other and welcome.”
Annabella wishes she could combine Huntingdon's charm with Lowborough's wealth and title.
Reveals Annabella's envy and materialistic view of marriage, contrasting with Helen's contentment.