# Gilbert Markham — The Tenant of Wildfell Hall character guide > Gilbert Markham in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Gilbert, Robert, Markham, Robert Wilson, dear Gilbert **First appearance:** 0001-the-tenant-of-wildfell-hall ## Who they are A proud young farmer whose restless jealousy and wounded self-esteem turn his courtship of the mysterious Mrs. Graham into a torment of doubt and desire. ## Relationships ### [Eliza Millward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/eliza_millward) _romantic_ Eliza harbors an unrequited romantic interest in Gilbert, which he does not return, leading to her jealousy and spite. ### [Mrs. Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/mrs_markham) _family_ A loving mother-son relationship, though Mrs. Markham is somewhat conventional and disapproves of Gilbert's interest in Helen. ### [Eliza Millward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/eliza_millward) _romantic_ Eliza harbors an unrequited romantic interest in Gilbert, which he does not return, leading to her jealousy and spite. ### [Mrs. Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/mrs_markham) _family_ A loving mother-son relationship, though Mrs. Markham is somewhat conventional and disapproves of Gilbert's interest in Helen. ### [Mrs. Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/mrs_markham) _family_ A loving mother-son relationship, though Mrs. Markham is somewhat conventional and disapproves of Gilbert's interest in Helen. ## In the story ### [The Tenant of Wildfell Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/the-tenant-of-wildfell-hall) Narrator and protagonist; introduces the story and his initial fascination with the new tenant. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/i) Narrator and protagonist; observes Mrs. Graham in church and reflects on his feelings for Eliza Millward. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/ii) Narrator and protagonist; experiences frustration with Mrs. Graham and seeks solace with Eliza Millward. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/iii) Observes Helen's visit, interacts with little Arthur, and argues with Helen about education and moral development. ### [The Party at the Vicarage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/iv) Narrator and host; dances with Eliza Millward and steals a kiss, earning a rebuke from his mother. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/v) Visits Wildfell Hall with Rose, observes Helen's paintings, and is offended when Helen rebukes his curiosity about the hidden portrait, but later accepts her apology. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/vi) Narrator and protagonist; actively seeks out Mrs. Graham's company, compares her favorably to Eliza Millward, and begins to question his own feelings. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/vii) Narrator and protagonist; increasingly infatuated with Helen Graham, conflicted about his relationship with Eliza Millward. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/viii) Works in the hayfield, receives the book Marmion, and presents it to Helen, struggling with his emotions and her rejection of the gift. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/ix) Engages in a private conversation with Mrs. Graham, feels jealousy and anger toward Lawrence and Jane Wilson, and later snubs Lawrence after being warned off. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/x) Visits Wildfell Hall, attempts to declare his love, and later confronts Lawrence. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xi) Defends Helen against gossip, argues with Rose and Mr. Millward, and storms out in fury toward Wildfell Hall. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xii) Visits Helen, declares his love, and presses her for an explanation of the barrier between them. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xiii) Struggles with his temper and feelings after learning the truth about Mrs. Graham; avoids her when he sees her. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xiv) Narrates the chapter; describes his assault on Lawrence, his internal conflict, and his eventual decision to send Fergus for news. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xv) Struggles with jealousy and heartbreak; coldly rejects Helen's plea for explanation; later accepts her diary. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xx) Narrator of the chapter, though not directly present in the excerpts; the diary entries are Helen's. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xliv) Reads Helen's diary and regrets that the part mentioning him was torn away. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xlv) Finishes reading Helen's diary, feels joy and remorse, then visits Helen and later Lawrence to apologize. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xlvi) Acts as a protective friend to Lawrence, warning him about Jane Wilson's true nature. Also struggles with his own frustration over the slander against Helen and his inability to defend her publicly. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xlvii) Reacting to gossip and reading Helen's letter, he struggles with lingering feelings and seeks to vindicate her reputation. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xlviii) Receives and reads Helen's letter via Frederick Lawrence; resolves to clear Helen's reputation by spreading the truth. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xlix) Narrator; continues visiting Woodford, reads Helen's letters, and confesses his conflicted wishes regarding Huntingdon's death. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/l) Reacts to news of Huntingdon's death with mixed emotions; fears Helen has forgotten him and that social rank may separate them. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/li) Narrator and protagonist; walks with Eliza Millward, is deceived by her false news, and rushes to the church where he discovers the true bride and groom. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/lii) Travels to Grassdale and then Staningley, torn between hope and despair over Helen. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/liii) Narrator and protagonist; marries Helen, lives at Staningley, and reflects on his happiness. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/gilbert_markham - 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