# Aunt Maxwell — The Tenant of Wildfell Hall character guide

> Aunt Maxwell in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Mrs. Maxwell, Maxwell

**First appearance:** 0003-ii

## Who they are

Helen's aunt and guardian, who raises her after her parents' death.

## In the story

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xvi)

Gives Helen serious counsel about marriage, warning her against carelessness and urging her to prioritize principle, sense, and respectability.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xvii)

Interrupts Huntingdon's declaration and later lectures Helen about his character.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xix)

Aunt Maxwell discovers Helen and Huntingdon in an embrace and postpones discussion of the proposal, expressing concern for Helen's happiness.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xx)

Opposes the match, warns Helen about Huntingdon's character, and engages in theological debate about damnation.

### [Chapter XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxx)

Mentioned as having instilled moral precepts in Helen; Helen visits her at Staningley.

### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/lii)

Helen's aunt, with whom she stays at Staningley; reportedly advised her husband to leave the property to Helen.

### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/liii)

Helen's aunt; lives at Staningley, initially distant but warms to Gilbert, and later dies peacefully.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/aunt_maxwell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters