Chapters 33-37: Arthur shows his true colours

What a lot of questions have been raised by these chapters: so much for you all to think about! Arthur finally appears to have shown his true colours to poor Helen, and how she responds to this is crucial to our understanding of the whole book. So reflect on some of these questions as you endeavour to come to terms with these unpleasant developments:

1. Why had Arthur decided to have this affair? Why has Arthur decided to jeopardise everything he has got by beginning an affair with the odious Lady Lowborough? What does he see in her? What does she provide for him that he does not get from his wife? How does Lady Lowborough manage to stop Arthur drinking heavily, when Helen, despite her best efforts, had failed in this respect? Why does he not feel guilty having an affair with the wife of his best friend?
2. Why does Helen respond to the news of the affair in this way? Why is she not more angry with Arthur? Why does she not threaten to expose the affair and her husband's deceit? Why does she not wreak revenge on Arthur and his mistress? Why does she stay with him, as if they were husband and wife, when she cannot stand the sight of him and feels only misery in his company?
3. Why is Arthur so adamant that Helen not leave him? If he truly loves Lady Lowborough, why does he insist that Helen stays with him, whilst he continues his affair? Wouldn't he be happier if he and Lady Lowborough moved in together and both left their spouses? Why does he prefer to keep up the pretence/semblance of a happy marriage, when the reality is anything but?
4. And what about Hargrave? Why does he persist in trying to begin a relationship with Helen? Is he looking out for her out of the goodness of his own heart? Or does he just want to find a way into her heart (and her bed!)? Are his motives honourable? And what do you think about Helen's persistent rebuttal of his advances? Is she cutting off her nose to spite her face (as the saying goes)? What do you think she should do?

Perhaps you could all use the COMMENTS tool on this blog to explore these questions together... In the meantime, I think it is crucial, as best you can, to EMPATHISE with Helen in her current situation. This book was written at a time when the oppression of women was at its height, and Anne Bronte is forcing her reader to confront the question of women's equality head-on. Should she lie down and just 'take' all the abuse and mistreatment her husband throws at her? Or should she fight back? Many critics have argued that Helen Huntingdon is one of literature's first feminist heroes: do you think she is showing herself to be a woman of independence and STRENGTH?
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As for next week, please read Chapters 38-41.