Societal Shifts in the Victorian Era: Marriage, Men, and Domesticity Analyzing Anne Bronte’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall Anonymous College

The Victorian Era is defined by the societal alterations that developed over the time period. This is particularly true when concerning wives, mothers, domesticity, and the like. Throughout portions of Anne Bronte’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall the relationship between Helen and her aunt, Peggy Maxwell, portrays this ever-present dichotomy in the face of change. In particular, views regarding men and marriage demonstrate a clear separation in view between the two characters. On one hand, Helen is a young, proper, and originally energetic young woman, keen on finding a man who is both suitable to her guardians as well as the love of her life. On the other hand, Helen’s aunt Peggy is a traditional, conservative, and strict woman that seeks a man who she approves of based on a series of time-honored norms. Specifically, Helen and Peggy’s differences concerning the type of man Helen should marry, how said man should be arranged for marriage, and the domestic role of the wife in the Victorian Era all present the ideologies of dueling generations in an era that was rather hesitant to rapid change.

The proper traits of a man for Helen to marry was a rather contentious topic between the young woman and her aunt. Take for example Helen’s...