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Interesting article, Bookworm_Girl, thanks. I did notice, however, that the article says: "Gilbert Markham helps Helen flee from her abusive husband", which isn't true. For me one of the most strongly feminist things about this story is that Helen manages it on her own.
She did need Benson to help her sneak the luggage out of the house, and her brother prepared Wildfell Hall for her - but it's not like Lawrence came riding in on his white charger and whisked her away.
There is no falling back helplessly while a man rescues her. No rich uncle loaned her the funds necessary to live. There was no man there urging her forward, and no lover on the side lines inciting her to rebel - indeed such offers were explicitly rejected. Her escape was entirely her own.
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