Journal

Mrs Hargraves: She is Mr Wilmot’s sister-in-law.
Walter Hargraves: He is Mr Wilmot’s nephew. Although he is one of
Huntingdon’s friends he is somewhat critical of Arthur’s behaviour towards
his wife and encourages Helen to leave him. His advice is not altogether
altruistic however, because he has hopes of taking Huntingdon’s place when
the time comes.
Esther Hargraves: Walter’s sister. The Hargraves - Lawrence that Gilbert
fears was between Walter and Helen is in fact between Esther and Frederick.
Milicent Hargraves/Hattersley: Walter’s other sister. She marries Ralph
Hattersley.
Gilbert Markham: Gilbert is the hero and despite the fact that he hates cats
he is a likeable short of chap. He manages the family farm. He is used to
getting things done when it comes to practical matters about the farm but is
somewhat of a ditherer when it comes to affairs of the heart.
Though the unofficial beau of Eliza Millward he takes an increasingly
strong interest in the widow at Wildfell Hall and appreciates her superior
depth of character and intellect. He defends her when rumours start to
circulate about secret liaisons with Lawrence and the suspicion that her
husband still lives. He engages in a violent jealous quarrel with Lawrence and
is devastated when she returns to nurse her sick husband.
After discovering that she has inherited not only her husband’s fortune
but her uncle’s as well he is drawn to visit her but is shy about actually making
contact with one who is now so financially superior. Fate brings them
together and a delightfully amusing scene involving a Christmas rose in and
out of a window, Gilbert is torn between the love he feels and the fear that
she will now consider herself so much above him. His diffidence is so great
that Helen has to practically get down on her knees and propose to herself on
his behalf! The proposal does succeed and they marry, though whether there
are the right ingredients for a successful marriage is left to the reader’s
imagination.
Mrs Markham: Mrs Markham is Gilbert’s mother who is mostly occupied
by knitting and discussing the local news. She considers the needs of the men
of the house, especially Gilbert, take precedence over those of her daughter.
Meal times are dictated by Gilbert’s comings and goings and she insists that
the best parts of the meal be kept for him.
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