# XXV explained — The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

> Chapter companion for The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë.

## What happens

Helen returns to Grassdale alone while Arthur remains in London, ostensibly on business. She grows increasingly anxious and lonely as his letters become infrequent and his return is repeatedly delayed. She receives a letter from Milicent Hargrave, who is being pressured into marrying Ralph Hattersley and asks for Helen's advice. Helen struggles with her own isolation and the suspicion that Arthur has returned to his former dissolute companions.

## Themes in this chapter

### Gender Roles and Marriage

Helen is expected to submit to Arthur's decisions about her movements and endure his absence without complaint, while Milicent is pressured into a marriage she does not desire.

### Female Agency and Independence

Helen's attempts to assert her own wishes—such as staying in London or traveling alone—are overruled by Arthur, highlighting the limited agency of married women.

### Alcoholism and Dissipation

Helen suspects Arthur has returned to his former dissolute companions in London, a recurring pattern of dissipation that undermines their marriage.

## Character check-ins

### Helen Huntingdon

Narrates her return to Grassdale alone, her growing anxiety over Arthur's absence, and her conflicted feelings about her marriage.

### Arthur Huntingdon

Remains in London on vague business, sends short and infrequent letters, and repeatedly postpones his return.

### Milicent Hargrave

Writes to Helen about her impending marriage to Ralph Hattersley, expressing reluctance and seeking advice.

### Ralph Hattersley

Milicent's intended husband, described as the son of a rich banker, with a rough exterior that Milicent hopes hides a good heart.

### Walter Hargrave

Milicent's brother, who supports the marriage and dismisses her reluctance as childish nonsense.

### Esther Hargrave

Milicent's younger sister, mentioned as being at the Grove with her French governess.

## Key lines

> He seemed bent upon displaying me to his friends and acquaintances in particular, and the public in general, on every possible occasion, and to the greatest possible advantage.

Arthur was determined to show me off to everyone he knew, and to the public at large, as often and as impressively as possible.

_Helen reflects on Arthur's pride in her appearance during their time in London._

> I was continually straining to satisfy his sanguine expectations and do honour to his choice by my general conduct and deportment, and fearing to disappoint him by some awkward misdemeanour, or some trait of inexperienced ignorance about the customs of society.

I constantly struggled to meet his high expectations and bring credit to his selection of me, worried that I might embarrass him through some clumsy mistake or show of unfamiliarity with social conventions.

_Helen describes the pressure she felt to perform perfectly in society for Arthur's sake._

> It is this ever-recurring question, and the horrible suggestions it raises, that distract me.

This question keeps coming back to me, and the terrible thoughts it brings are what torment me.

_Helen's anxiety over what Arthur is doing in London plagues her._

> He playfully abuses me for the gall and vinegar of my latest effusion, tells me I can have no conception of the multitudinous engagements that keep him away, but avers that, in spite of them all, he will assuredly be with me before the close of next week.

He jokingly scolds me for the bitterness of my last letter, says I cannot imagine how many commitments are keeping him, but promises he will definitely be home by the end of next week.

_Arthur's dismissive and evasive response to Helen's angry letter._

> I would beg my uncle and aunt, or my brother, to come and see me, but I do not like to complain of my loneliness to them, and indeed loneliness is the least of my sufferings.

I would ask my uncle and aunt or my brother to visit, but I don't want to burden them with my loneliness, and in truth, being alone is the smallest part of my pain.

_Helen's isolation is compounded by her inability to confide in family._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters