the world according to Cosmos : The Tenant at Wildfell Hall by jake cosmos aller |
I am still working my way through reading the classics, reading a three-volume series called Books You Have to Read Before You Die. I am struck by how relevant many of the classic novels are to today's world. Many of the themes of these novels have interesting parallels to modern life. I recently finished reading Anne Bronte’s The Tenant of Windfell Hall, widely seen as a proto-feminist novel. Anne Bronte is one of the three Bronte sisters who wrote insightful novels set in the English countryside of the early to mid-19th Century. This novel was a critique of the prevailing view of marriage in Victorian England, where divorce was very difficult to get for a woman, women were expected to do their wifely duty put up with their husbands no matter what, and endure loveless marriages. Most marriages in the upper class were arranged marriages. The expectation was that the couple would grow to love each other, or at least tolerate each other. The wife was supposed to stay home, take care of the children, and manage the household servants and the estate while their husband engaged in business pursuits or hung out with his buddies through the club. Many women felt stuck in a loveless marriage. Taking a lover was unthinkable, and divorce as well. After divorce, women often sank into the lower class. Re-marriage was not a realistic option either. For widows, if they inherited the estate, and were under the age of 45 could remarry. The heroine of the novel, Helen Huntington, runs away from her alcoholic, abusive, womanizing husband and supports herself through her art as she is a talented painter. She lives in a small rural area and her friends and relatives do not know where she is. Her brother helps her get set up, and she lives in an old mansion he owns. She calls herself Mrs Graham and lets people think she is a widow. In a way, she is as she feels her husband is dead to her to use a modern expression. She falls in love with a local farmer who is beneath her socially but not too far away because he has his farm and is doing well economically. They agreed to not meet any more for fear of a scandal if known. In the end, after her abusive husband dies from acute alcohol poisoning, they get married and he adopts her 11-year-old son. Throughout the novel, the women, as are their husbands, are all deeply unhappy. Many of the husbands are like her husband, alcoholic womanizers. Several hit on her and she rejects their advances. A sub-theme of the novel is how the traditional Christian view on marriage destroyed marital happiness, that women should be allowed to leave abusive relationships and re-marry for love. Right Wing Push to Rescind No-Fault Divorce While reading this novel, I read articles on how the contemporary right-wing in the U.S. including JD Vance, the Republican nominee for Vice President, and Speaker of the House Johnson, are in favor of ending no-fault divorce and making divorce much more difficult to get. All to support promoting their twisted view of “family values”. Project 2025 and Agenda 47 which outline proposals for the Republicans if they get elected also spend a lot of time on the idea of promoting the end of the no-fault marriage. Many of them, would no doubt feel comfortable bringing back the norms of the Victorian era. They have probably not read this novel, nor do they care that women would again be stuck in loveless, or abusive marriages. Interesting Pararells to Korean Marriage Norms I also was struck by how in contemporary Korea, many marriages particularly among the upper classes are still arranged marriages. Family elders, mostly women, fix up their children to marry matching them with people from suitable family backgrounds and providing their astrological charts (mostly according to Chinese astrology but also Western as well), the couple is allowed to date for a few dates, and if they like each, they get married, and like in Victorian times, women are often encouraged to have children and quit work. This is changing quite a bit but divorce is still a social stigma and many women are advised to stick it out even if their husband is abusive or has a mistress. But, many women don’t want to get married and have children and many men don’t feel that they can afford to get married and have children. Korea has a declining population because fewer women are having children. Co-Pilot provided additional background information on this proto-feminist novel. Sure, I’d be happy to help with that! Here’s some background information on “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” by Anne Brontë: Synopsis “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” is Anne Brontë’s second and final novel, published in 1848 under the pseudonym Acton Bell. The story is framed as a series of letters from Gilbert Markham to his friend, recounting his experiences with a mysterious young widow, Helen Graham, who arrives at Wildfell Hall with her young son. Helen’s reclusive nature and her career as an artist soon make her the subject of local gossip. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that Helen is fleeing from her abusive, alcoholic husband, Arthur Huntingdon, in an attempt to protect her son from his influence12. Literary Reputation Upon its release, “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” was considered quite shocking due to its unflinching portrayal of alcoholism, psychological abuse, and the constraints placed on women in the 19th century. The novel was an immediate success but faced significant controversy. After Anne’s death, her sister Charlotte Brontë prevented its re-publication in England until 18541. Today, it is regarded as one of the first feminist novels, praised for its bold themes of gender equality and female independence23. Author Biography Anne Brontë (1820-1849) was the youngest of the three famous Brontë sisters. She was born in Thornton, West Yorkshire, England. Anne worked as a governess, which influenced her first novel, “Agnes Grey.” Her experiences and observations of the social issues of her time deeply informed her writing. Despite her early death at the age of 29, Anne’s work has left a lasting impact on English literature. She is remembered for her strong moral convictions and her commitment to addressing social injustices through her writing12. Would you like more detailed information on any specific aspect of the novel or Anne Brontë’s life? “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” by Anne Brontë explores several significant themes:
These themes contribute to the novel’s enduring relevance and its reputation as a pioneering work of feminist literature. Here’s the list of the 50 books to read. Bold indicates I have read it. Vol 1 starts with Volume One
Volume 2
Vol 3 finished keeping for the historical record This book contains the following works arranged alphabetically by authors' last names. Started with volume 3 then will go back and do volumes one, two, and the Harvard classics. The goal is to finish all of these by the end of next year. I almost finished Volume One.
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