The Tenant of Wildfell Hall · Character

Mrs. Markham

Gilbert's mother, a conventional and somewhat meddling parent.

minor

First appearance: I

Mrs. Markham's tie to Gilbert Markham is one of the pressures that moves The Tenant of Wildfell Hall—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Gilbert's mother; visits Mrs.

In the storyIOpen this moment free

Mrs. Markham first appears in 0002 i.

With Gilbert Markham (family): A loving mother-son relationship, though Mrs. Markham is somewhat conventional and disapproves of Gilbert's interest in Helen. With Frederick Lawrence (social): Frederick, as a local gentleman and neighbor, has polite, cordial interactions with Mrs. Markham within the community. With Little Arthur (social): Mrs. Markham, as a neighbor, shows kindness to young Arthur when he and Helen live near the Markham family.

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Character Web

18 connections

A slice of how Mrs. Markham sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Social
Other

Character groups

Antagonists and Foils
Narrator's Circle

+13 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it reveals the emotional and psychological nadir of the marriag…

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Relationships

Gilbert Markham
family · positive
A loving mother-son relationship, though Mrs. How this plays out →
Frederick Lawrence
social · positive
Little Arthur
social · positive
Eliza Millward
social · ambivalent
Gilbert Markham
family · positive
A loving mother-son relationship, though Mrs. How this plays out →
Little Arthur
social · positive
Eliza Millward
social · ambivalent
Frederick Lawrence
social · positive
Eliza Millward
social · ambivalent
Gilbert Markham
family · positive
A loving mother-son relationship, though Mrs. How this plays out →

Gilbert Markham
A loving mother-son relationship, though Mrs. Markham is somewhat conventional and disapproves of Gilbert's interest in Helen.
Frederick Lawrence
Frederick, as a local gentleman and neighbor, has polite, cordial interactions with Mrs. Markham within the community.
Little Arthur
Mrs. Markham, as a neighbor, shows kindness to young Arthur when he and Helen live near the Markham family.
Eliza Millward
Eliza is a frequent visitor to the Markham household, maintaining a friendly but somewhat sycophantic relationship with Mrs. Markham.
Gilbert Markham
A loving mother-son relationship, though Mrs. Markham is somewhat conventional and disapproves of Gilbert's interest in Helen.
Little Arthur
Mrs. Markham, as a neighbor, shows kindness to young Arthur when he and Helen live near the Markham family.
Eliza Millward
Eliza is a frequent visitor to the Markham household, maintaining a friendly but somewhat sycophantic relationship with Mrs. Markham.
Frederick Lawrence
Frederick, as a local gentleman and neighbor, has polite, cordial interactions with Mrs. Markham within the community.
Eliza Millward
Eliza is a frequent visitor to the Markham household, maintaining a friendly but somewhat sycophantic relationship with Mrs. Markham.
Gilbert Markham
A loving mother-son relationship, though Mrs. Markham is somewhat conventional and disapproves of Gilbert's interest in Helen.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mrs. Markham in I

In the story

Mrs. Markham appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
Gilbert's mother; visits Mrs. Graham and offers unsolicited advice on household matters.
III
Hosts the visit, criticizes Helen's doting on her son, and is startled by Helen's passionate defense.
The Party at the Vicarage
Hostess; criticizes Mrs. Graham's views on alcohol and later scolds Gilbert for his behavior with Eliza.
XIII
Remonstrates with Gilbert about his ill-humour and tries to coax him into better spirits.
XIV
Pressures Gilbert to visit Lawrence, unaware of the true circumstances.
LIII
Gilbert's mother; initially prejudiced against Helen but is reconciled and gratified by her son's good fortune.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mrs. Markham unlock in the free preview.

See Mrs. Markham in I