Synopsis
Gilbert Markham narrates how a mysterious widow, Mrs. Helen Graham, arrives at Wildfell Hall, a nearby old mansion. A source of curiosity for the small community, the reticent Mrs Graham and her young son Arthur are slowly drawn into the social circles of the village. Initially, Gilbert Markham casually courts Eliza Millward, despite his mother's belief that he can do better. His interest in Eliza wanes as he comes to know Mrs. Graham. In retribution, Eliza spreads (and perhaps creates) scandalous rumors about Helen.
About the Author
Anne, the youngest of the Brontė children, was born on 17 January 1820, at 74 Market Street in Thornton on the outskirts of Bradford, England. In April 1820, only three months after her birth, the Brontės moved into the five-roomed Haworth Parsonage which became their home for the rest of their lives. It appears that the three surviving Bronte sisters, Charlotte, Emily and Anne, lived together for all their lives and never married nor had children. Anne died on 28 May 1849 shortly after her sister Emily died on 19 December 1848. Both sisters died of tuberculosis. Charlotte died on 31 March 1855. All three sisters wrote their works under male names to conceal the true identity of the authors. There were six Bronte children. Two of them died in childhood. The other four did not live long but in their relatively short lives they produced great literature and books that are being read today. Maria, the mother of Anne Bronte, died on 15 September 1821 from cancer when Anne was only one year old. Of the six children, there were five girls and one boy. Maria died leaving five daughters, Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Emily and Anne, and a son, Branwell, Of the six children, Maria (born 1814) and Elizabeth (born 1815), both died of tuberculosis in June 1825. Their father Patrick Brontė (1777 – 1861), was a poor Irish clergyman. His children were educated at home after a typhoidepidemic swept the school. Queen Victoria ruled from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901, so all of the novels by the Bronte sisters came during the Victorian Era. Charlotte Bronte (1816-1855) became famous for writing Jane Eyre which has been made into movies and TV shows. Anne (1820-1849), the youngest, wrote The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Agnes Grey. Emily (1818-1848) wrote only one book, Wuthering Heights. It is suggested that they started writing books because they were small girls who could not get jobs. One wonders at the tragedy of three immensely talented sisters all succumbing to an early death. What if they had lived, what they could have done? Although their father wanted them to marry and have children, none seem to have married. These three authors seemed to have kept their virginities while the characters in their books were quickly losing theirs. Nowadays the Bronte sisters are remembered for their strong feminist characters. Their books are being read now more than ever.
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