# Walter Hargrave — The Tenant of Wildfell Hall character guide

> Walter Hargrave in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Hargrave, Hargrave, Walter

**First appearance:** 0003-ii

## Who they are

A polished gentleman whose sentimental pursuit of Helen hides a moral weakness that makes his attentions more insult than honour.

## Relationships

### [Arthur Huntingdon Sr.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/arthur_huntingdon_sr)

_friendship_

Fellow debauched aristocrats who bond over drinking, gambling, and womanizing, with Walter often enabling Arthur's vices.

### [Little Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/little_arthur)

_social_

Walter is a frequent visitor at the Huntingdon estate, often interacting with young Arthur as part of the household social circle.

### [Ralph Hattersley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/ralph_hattersley)

_friendship_

Companions in dissipation, they share a bond of mutual indulgence in drinking and carousing, though Ralph later reforms.

### [Arthur Huntingdon Sr.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/arthur_huntingdon_sr)

_friendship_

Fellow debauched aristocrats who bond over drinking, gambling, and womanizing, with Walter often enabling Arthur's vices.

### [Little Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/little_arthur)

_social_

Walter is a frequent visitor at the Huntingdon estate, often interacting with young Arthur as part of the household social circle.

### [Ralph Hattersley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/ralph_hattersley)

_friendship_

Companions in dissipation, they share a bond of mutual indulgence in drinking and carousing, though Ralph later reforms.

### [Ralph Hattersley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/ralph_hattersley)

_friendship_

Companions in dissipation, they share a bond of mutual indulgence in drinking and carousing, though Ralph later reforms.

### [Little Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/little_arthur)

_social_

Walter is a frequent visitor at the Huntingdon estate, often interacting with young Arthur as part of the household social circle.

## In the story

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxii)

Mentioned as wrestling a bottle from Lowborough during his renunciation scene.

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxv)

Milicent's brother, who supports the marriage and dismisses her reluctance as childish nonsense.

### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxvi)

Described as a man of expensive habits who prioritizes his reputation over his family's comfort, enabled by his mother's sacrifices.

### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxix)

Visits Helen, expresses sympathy and indignation at Huntingdon's behavior, and hints at his own romantic interest.

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

Visits Grassdale; helps restrain Arthur's drinking, but his attentions make Helen uneasy.

### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Challenges Helen to a game of chess with peculiar emphasis, hinting at hidden motives.

### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxxiv)

Annoying Helen with his sympathetic politeness and attempts to speak with her alone.

### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxxv)

Seeks Helen's forgiveness for his earlier presumption and expresses regret, but is met with coldness.

### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxxvi)

Still in the neighborhood, hunting with Arthur; Helen notes his proper behavior but remains wary of his motives.

### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxxvii)

Confesses his love for Helen, argues passionately for her affection, and continues to pursue her despite repeated rebuffs.

### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxxix)

Intervenes to remove little Arthur from the room during a particularly bad episode, then later confronts Helen with a proposal to protect her, which she rejects.

### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xli)

Displeased with Esther's refusal of Mr. Oldfield, showing his unkindness.

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

Mentioned as recently married to a plain, older woman, with gossip about his character.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/walter_hargrave
- 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