Chapters 47-50: The Death of Arthur Huntingdon

Gilbert's Point of View

What seems most interesting to me about these chapters is how powerfully we, the reader, are manipulated by the narrative of Gilbert Markham. It is easy to forget that this is NOT a third-person, anonymous narrator, because each narrator in this novel tends to have long stints ‘in charge of’ the story; but the fact remains that we are being told the story by a first-person narrator, and are therefore subjected to all his bias and personal experience. In other words, as I read this, I felt extremely disappointed when I found it Helen had gone back to Arthur; I, too, wished Arthur would die so that she could be freed from his tyranny; and I would have done anything to assist Gilbert and rescuing her.

Helen's Point of View

But then, reading Helen's letters, we see a totally different side to this story. She went there of her own will. She looked after him out of choice. She stayed by his death bed by her own volition. Nobody forced her to do any of this. In fact, reading her letters, I realised that her decision ACTUALLY empowered her; she was far stronger a person in CHOOSING to stay than in being FORCED to flee. And she took no chances either, forcing Arthur to sign a contract to protect her and her son. So what I am saying is that no situation is simple: I ended up sympathising with Gilbert AND Helen - at the same time.

Will they or won't they?

Now he is dead, however, I do hope that Gilbert finds a way to win her love for good, and her hand in marriage too. Perhaps I am too caught up in his own desires, through the power of his narrative, but I REALLY want him and Helen to get together. When we hear descriptions of marriage like the one Gilbert's mother gave near the start (do you remember? the one about the husband not complaining about his wife TOO much?); or like the description of Lowborough's second wife as sensible, pious (i.e. religious), kind and happy (like those are somehow the only important things in a wife/husband); I wish even more strongly for a couple like Gilbert and Helen to make it work. Because, whilst Helen might be all those things herself, their relationship also has its right share of passion, attraction and genuine, consuming love as well. And also, in these chapters, we have seen all the pure villains getting exactly what they deserve: Grimsby, Arthur, Annabella - all dying before their time. So why shouldn't the good characters get what they deserve too? i.e. something GOOD!

But will they manage to get married, against all the odds? Or will society, and all its expectations, get in their way? Only three chapters left in which to find out...