The Tenant of Wildfell HallCombining a sensational story of a man's physical and moral decline through alcohol, a study of marital breakdown, a disquisition on the care and upbringing of children, and a hard-hitting critique of the position of women in Victorian society, this passionate tale of betrayal is set within a stern moral framework tempered by Anne Brontë's optimistic belief in universal redemption. It tells the story of the estranged wife of a dissolute rake, desperate to protect her son from his destructive influence, in full flight from a shocking world of debauchery and cruelty. Drawing on her first-hand experiences with her brother Branwell, Brontë's novel scandalized contemporary readers and still retains its power to shock today. The new introduction by Josephine McDonagh sheds light on the intellectual and cultural context of the novel, its complex narrative structure, and the contemporary moral and medical debates about alcohol and the body with which the novel engages. Based on the authoritative Clarendon text, the book has an improved chronology, an up-to-date bibliography, and many informative notes. About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. |
Contents
Note on this edition | vi |
Note on the Text | xxxvi |
THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL I | xlix |
Copyright | |
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Agnes Grey amuse Annabella Anne Brontë answer asked aunt believe better Boarham Branwell Brontë Charlotte Brontë cheerful child companion continued cried dear delight door Eliza Millward exclaimed eyes face father fear feel Fergus gentleman Gilbert give glad glance Graham Grassdale Grimsby half hand happy Hargrave hate Hattersley head hear heard heart Heaven Helen hope Huntingdon husband Jane Eyre knew Lady Lowborough laugh Lawrence leave little Arthur look Lord Lowborough mamma Markham marriage married matter Milicent mind morning mother never ODEP once Patrick Brontë paused perhaps pleasure present quiet Rachel regret replied Richard Wilson Rose seated seemed silent sister smile speak Staningley stood suppose sure talk tears tell Tenant things Thorp Green thought told turned voice walk wife Wildfell Hall Wilmot window wish words Wuthering Heights young