I think what you're rubbing up against is a difference of definitions. When you say "feminism", I get the sense you're talking about third wave feminism. The feminism they're talking about is just about empowering women to have freedom. It is a feminist book specifically because it depicted a woman making her own decisions based on what she felt was right. That in itself was a radical idea at the time it was written. It is an extremely feminist book, but it is not third-wave feminist.
I love Tenant! I got my husband to read it when we first started dating, and we've had so many good conversations about it since. I think your interpretation is spot-on. We have got to stop wanting our nineteenth century female protagonists to be feminists (*glares at everyone who finds Dorthea Brooke from Middlemarch disappointing*)
I agree - they had a completely different outlook on life and femininity. Which doesn't mean they all couldn't believe in equality; it just meant something different to them and it played out differently in their decisions!
I’ve been meaning to read this one for years and you’ve finally convinced me that this is the year. Excellent review! The Brontes were geniuses; it’s a shame they all died so young!
I heartily recommend the biography “Take Courage: Anne Brontë and the Art of Life” by Samantha Ellis if you’re interested in learning more about Anne. Quietly insightful and deeply honest, are words I always fall back on when I think about Anne and her authorship. I wish she could have written more in her short time, she’s my favourite Brontë.
I read this book a few years ago and I LOVED it! As for it being feminist, I'd say that's a bit of a leap... Maybe feminism in terms of being smart and making her own choices in an Era and time where women couldn't make a lot of decisions, but otherwise, for the toxic, modern mess we call "feminism" it is not.
I did a "Bronte summer" and discovered this gem. Where did Anne, young and sheltered and doomed, find the insights to create this masterpiece? Time to reread! So glad you shared your thoughts. I don't know anyone else who's read this book!
This review has inspired me finally to read "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall," a book that I understood to be more like Ibsen's "A Doll's House" than C. Bronte's "Jane Eyre." Thank you for liberating this book from our post-modern perspective!
I was just a teenager when I read "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" more than twenty years ago, but the impression upon me has stood the test of time: I consider Helen's extraordinary courage and integrity to be the real stuff of womanhood, and I desire to emulate her. Literature has the special power to demonstrate that high ideals can be lived out in the messiness of our fallen world. Each of us is called to be the hero or heroine of our own story. Courage, friends!
Not only did I enjoy you reading Ann's text "against the grain," but you're also foregrounding a book that is much less visible to the general reading public. There are a lot of great Bronte books that get ignored!
I actually made it only halfway through that one. I felt like it was really heavy and depressing. It may have just the wrong time for me to read it. I may return to it, I know so many love it!
This book will lead us into a new age marked by more respect for promises, vows made and the love we must extend even to those who hurt us. Graham is a Christian informed by the inner light appreciated by Newman. She knows her faults, does not try to justify them. Sher has been useful to political movements in our day but her story is deeper, truth is deep like sorrow. Thanks for sharing Maddie Dennis McCormack
Thank you, Maddie, for this. It sounds like a fascinating novel. I've never heard of this author before so I'll put her on the list. Perhaps this would fit into the older mold of feminism? Of course, trying to fit anyone into some prepackaged modern category is boring because us humans are not black and white categories.
I just watched the series adaptation from 1996, and fell in love. I am more than excited now to read the book. I have always loved the Brontës, and now more than ever. What you said in regards to the book was exactly represented in the series. Thank you for sharing, Maddie!
I think the feminism came out in the sheer strength of will that it took to escape an abusive marriage in a time when women had so few rights. I read this book as a young woman and re-read it last year and what came through strongly in a way I hadn't marked on the first reading was how strongly Helen's actions are informed and directed by her faith. Her belief that the final judgement of any human being lies with God releases her from a need for vengeance. In moments of abject despair, she can seek out a higher counsel. I could not relate to this on a personal level but I feel that it is absolutely integral to the timing and manner of the decisions she takes. This book is definitely worth a second - or possibly even a third read.
Oooh I haven't read this book yet, but it sounds interesting. Not sure I could stomach an abuse story at this time in my life (kind of just went through it with a divorce in the family), but it's definitely one to read at a later date. The conflicts in it, and the woman remaining true to her conscience, remind me of Green Dolphin Street by Elizabeth Goudge. I picked it up because the summary sounded funny: A man who has settled in New Zealand writes home for a wife, but accidentally writes the wrong name and her sister arrives instead, but he marries her anyway and makes a good marriage of it. But what I actually got was a story similar to that of Tenant, where the man and the wife both have to choose to live by their consciences and to do right by each other, even though it's not the greatest match. And the sister whom he had loved and mistaken her name! She struggles, too, and joins a convent. (It also has a lot of really exciting stuff about the North Island of New Zealand and the earthquakes and such, which I had no idea of.)
💔 I am so sorry to hear that was your family’s experience! It’s definitely a heavy topic to read about, even though she is really good and not being *too* descriptive, and the abuse is not physical. It’s still just as terrible and heartbreaking though! And I’ve been wanting to read that one by Goudge. I love when authors are brave enough to explore that side of decision making.
I think what you're rubbing up against is a difference of definitions. When you say "feminism", I get the sense you're talking about third wave feminism. The feminism they're talking about is just about empowering women to have freedom. It is a feminist book specifically because it depicted a woman making her own decisions based on what she felt was right. That in itself was a radical idea at the time it was written. It is an extremely feminist book, but it is not third-wave feminist.
This is a good clarification! Yes, this article intentionally uses the term feminism to mean the modern world’s accepted definition.
This book is definitely an under appreciated beauty!
I love Tenant! I got my husband to read it when we first started dating, and we've had so many good conversations about it since. I think your interpretation is spot-on. We have got to stop wanting our nineteenth century female protagonists to be feminists (*glares at everyone who finds Dorthea Brooke from Middlemarch disappointing*)
I agree - they had a completely different outlook on life and femininity. Which doesn't mean they all couldn't believe in equality; it just meant something different to them and it played out differently in their decisions!
I’ve been meaning to read this one for years and you’ve finally convinced me that this is the year. Excellent review! The Brontes were geniuses; it’s a shame they all died so young!
It is! And I don’t know enough about them outside of their published works honestly. Reading this book made me want to get a good biography!
I heartily recommend the biography “Take Courage: Anne Brontë and the Art of Life” by Samantha Ellis if you’re interested in learning more about Anne. Quietly insightful and deeply honest, are words I always fall back on when I think about Anne and her authorship. I wish she could have written more in her short time, she’s my favourite Brontë.
I read this book a few years ago and I LOVED it! As for it being feminist, I'd say that's a bit of a leap... Maybe feminism in terms of being smart and making her own choices in an Era and time where women couldn't make a lot of decisions, but otherwise, for the toxic, modern mess we call "feminism" it is not.
I did a "Bronte summer" and discovered this gem. Where did Anne, young and sheltered and doomed, find the insights to create this masterpiece? Time to reread! So glad you shared your thoughts. I don't know anyone else who's read this book!
It definitely made me want to learn more about her! She was the youngest sister too. Such depth of insight!
This review has inspired me finally to read "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall," a book that I understood to be more like Ibsen's "A Doll's House" than C. Bronte's "Jane Eyre." Thank you for liberating this book from our post-modern perspective!
I was just a teenager when I read "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" more than twenty years ago, but the impression upon me has stood the test of time: I consider Helen's extraordinary courage and integrity to be the real stuff of womanhood, and I desire to emulate her. Literature has the special power to demonstrate that high ideals can be lived out in the messiness of our fallen world. Each of us is called to be the hero or heroine of our own story. Courage, friends!
Well said! Jane Eyre had a similar effect on me, and now Helen too. There is so much we can learn from the courage of our favorite characters!
Not only did I enjoy you reading Ann's text "against the grain," but you're also foregrounding a book that is much less visible to the general reading public. There are a lot of great Bronte books that get ignored!
Thank you! And I agree - reading this one made me want to explore the other, lesser-known works.
You read Charlotte Bronte's Villette? Extraordinary book.
I actually made it only halfway through that one. I felt like it was really heavy and depressing. It may have just the wrong time for me to read it. I may return to it, I know so many love it!
This book will lead us into a new age marked by more respect for promises, vows made and the love we must extend even to those who hurt us. Graham is a Christian informed by the inner light appreciated by Newman. She knows her faults, does not try to justify them. Sher has been useful to political movements in our day but her story is deeper, truth is deep like sorrow. Thanks for sharing Maddie Dennis McCormack
Thank you, Maddie, for this. It sounds like a fascinating novel. I've never heard of this author before so I'll put her on the list. Perhaps this would fit into the older mold of feminism? Of course, trying to fit anyone into some prepackaged modern category is boring because us humans are not black and white categories.
Thanks!
You put wonderfully into words my thoughts about Anne and her novel, Maddie. That's exactly how I feel ☺️🥹
I just watched the series adaptation from 1996, and fell in love. I am more than excited now to read the book. I have always loved the Brontës, and now more than ever. What you said in regards to the book was exactly represented in the series. Thank you for sharing, Maddie!
Now I need to watch it!
I think the feminism came out in the sheer strength of will that it took to escape an abusive marriage in a time when women had so few rights. I read this book as a young woman and re-read it last year and what came through strongly in a way I hadn't marked on the first reading was how strongly Helen's actions are informed and directed by her faith. Her belief that the final judgement of any human being lies with God releases her from a need for vengeance. In moments of abject despair, she can seek out a higher counsel. I could not relate to this on a personal level but I feel that it is absolutely integral to the timing and manner of the decisions she takes. This book is definitely worth a second - or possibly even a third read.
Thank you for sharing these thoughts! I think there are many layers to her decisions, and I would agree about what you have highlighted here.
Ah, I wrote a similar (though my perspective are different) about my dislike of the term and what it’s come to mean.
It’s a very nuanced word!
Oooh I haven't read this book yet, but it sounds interesting. Not sure I could stomach an abuse story at this time in my life (kind of just went through it with a divorce in the family), but it's definitely one to read at a later date. The conflicts in it, and the woman remaining true to her conscience, remind me of Green Dolphin Street by Elizabeth Goudge. I picked it up because the summary sounded funny: A man who has settled in New Zealand writes home for a wife, but accidentally writes the wrong name and her sister arrives instead, but he marries her anyway and makes a good marriage of it. But what I actually got was a story similar to that of Tenant, where the man and the wife both have to choose to live by their consciences and to do right by each other, even though it's not the greatest match. And the sister whom he had loved and mistaken her name! She struggles, too, and joins a convent. (It also has a lot of really exciting stuff about the North Island of New Zealand and the earthquakes and such, which I had no idea of.)
💔 I am so sorry to hear that was your family’s experience! It’s definitely a heavy topic to read about, even though she is really good and not being *too* descriptive, and the abuse is not physical. It’s still just as terrible and heartbreaking though! And I’ve been wanting to read that one by Goudge. I love when authors are brave enough to explore that side of decision making.