A Foucauldian and Feminist Reading of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Anne Brontë, in her novel The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, criticizes the power patriarchal society nineteenth century and practices that legitimize actions men considered superior to women. Helen, female protagonist novel, shows by running away from home with child due cruel neglectful husband, she can both stand on own feet raise well without a father like Arthur, thus opposes order discourse period. In illustrate male oppression women represented this study employs critical theories Michel Foucault as feminist criticism. respect, claims subverts while implying Helen should be equal social life before law. light protagonist’s portrayal rational, creative, hardworking self-confident woman contrary Victorian conceptions, reveals superiority over stems created bourgeois society.