AN OVERLOOKED ADULTERESS: ANNABELLA’S IRRESISTIBLE PASSION IN ANNE BRONTË’S THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Most critics and readers of Anne Brontë’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1848) focus on the triangle formed by Helen Graham, her first husband Arthur Huntingdon and the second one Gilbert Markham. However, as I argue here, Brontë narrates yet another romantic story, that of Arthur and his mistress Annabella. Helen’s unhappiness is actually caused by Annabella’s earlier decision to marry a richer, aristocratic man rather than Arthur, whom she loves. Since Helen is Arthur’s second choice he never truly loves her, nor does Annabella love her husband Lord Lowborough. Arthur and Annabella’s irresistible passion and ensuing adultery ultimately destroys both marriages and are, thus, a central (but neglected) aspect of the plot. Likewise, both Annabella’s unique characterization as an adulteress and her adultery with Arthur have been overlooked as Anne Brontë’s singular contribution to the history of how this theme has been represented in British fiction.