14 The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall Abridged By Stephanie Poppins

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is framed as a series of letters from Gilbert Markham to his friend about the events connected with his meeting a mysterious young widow, calling herself Helen Graham. She arrives at Wildfell Hall, an Elizabethan mansion that has been empty for many years, with her young son and a servant.

Contrary to the early 19th-century norms, she pursues an artist's career and makes an income by selling her pictures. Her strict seclusion soon gives rise to gossip in the neighbouring village and she becomes a social outcast. Refusing to believe anything scandalous about her, Gilbert befriends her and discovers her past.

In this episode, Gilbert has not gotten over his love for Helen, and the cold, gloomy morning is the perfect accompaniment to his trip to town. The dark day hints at the storm clouding Gilbert’s rational abilities. Yet again, he allows his emotions to dictate his actions and he resorts to violence to relieve his feelings.