leads to his abuse of her, both mentally and physically, she knows she must leave him if only for the sake of saving her son from his negative influence. She must support herself by selling her artwork and eventually plans her marriage to Gilbert Markham, but along the way she illustrates an independence and ability to overcome challenges that women of the era were thought not capable. In doing so, she invokes the scorn of other women around her like Miss Wilson. As Miss Wilson tells Gilbert:
'Why, Mr. Markham,Æ replied she, coolly, having quickly recovered her self-possession, æit surprises me rather that Mrs. Markham should invite such a person as Mrs. Graham to her house; but, perhaps, she is not aware that the lady's character is considered scarc
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