"It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him; and that, not because he's handsome, Nelly, but because he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same, and [Edgar's] is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire? (80).
I think this quote about sums up all of Catherine's feeling toward Heathcliff. Since the two grew up together, they formed an inseparable bond and the two became one of the same, according to Catherine. This quote really shows the complexity of their relationship. It's almost like the two are so similar that they are destined to be together, yet that prevents them from being together at the same time. Catherine even goes on to say that she is Heathcliff. She uses a simile to compare her love for Heathcliff as opposed to her love for Edgar--"My love for Linton is like foliage in the woods: time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary" (82). Basically, her love for Heathcliff is true and everlasting whereas her love for Edgar is not rooted in anything stable like the eternal rocks.
My feelings for this book can be described as indifferent. It was slow to start off but it eventually somewhat picked up. The language was sometimes too descriptive and it was tiresome to read but overall, the book was decent. It was still really annoying how they called one character by about 5 different names: ie Catherine-aka Catherine Linton, Catherine Earnshaw, Catherine Heathcliff, Mrs. Linton, Mrs. Earnshaw. Super confusing. Definitely haven't read a book quite like this one.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Wuthering Heights: Social Class
"Will you give up Heathcliff hereafter, or will you give up me? It is impossible for you to be my friend and his at the same time; and I absolutely require to know which you choose" (117).
A theme that is prevalent throughout the novel is social class and how it affects relationships. The Lintons are of higher social class than the Earnshaws. As a result, Catherine Earnshaw longed to be of superior ranking as opposed to her middle-class ordinary life. This motivated her to marry Edgar-because she wanted to be looked up to in higher regards. Heathcliff is obviously of lower social class and this is what causes him to be cast down upon and treated as an inferior. The difference of social class is what creates conflict between many of the characters. It creates conflict between Hindley and Heathcliff at the beginning of the novel, because Hindley doesn't favor having an orphan as his sibling. But mainly it causes conflict between Heathcliff/Isabella and Edgar/Catherine because they are marrying out of completely different social classes. Moral of the story: Don't marry for riches.
Also the setting of the two houses define the social class too. Wuthering Heights is characterized as gloomy, depressing, dark, and earthy which puts it under the category of lower to middle class. On the other hand, Thrushcross Grange is portrayed as cleaner with more servants and a more pleasant atmosphere and it gives off a higher class feel.
A theme that is prevalent throughout the novel is social class and how it affects relationships. The Lintons are of higher social class than the Earnshaws. As a result, Catherine Earnshaw longed to be of superior ranking as opposed to her middle-class ordinary life. This motivated her to marry Edgar-because she wanted to be looked up to in higher regards. Heathcliff is obviously of lower social class and this is what causes him to be cast down upon and treated as an inferior. The difference of social class is what creates conflict between many of the characters. It creates conflict between Hindley and Heathcliff at the beginning of the novel, because Hindley doesn't favor having an orphan as his sibling. But mainly it causes conflict between Heathcliff/Isabella and Edgar/Catherine because they are marrying out of completely different social classes. Moral of the story: Don't marry for riches.
Also the setting of the two houses define the social class too. Wuthering Heights is characterized as gloomy, depressing, dark, and earthy which puts it under the category of lower to middle class. On the other hand, Thrushcross Grange is portrayed as cleaner with more servants and a more pleasant atmosphere and it gives off a higher class feel.
Wuthering Heights: Downfalls
"He says he has married me on purpose to obtain power over him; said he sha'n't obtain it-I'll die first! I just hope, I pray, that he may forget his diabolical prudence and kill me! The single pleasure I can imagine is to die, or to see him dead!" (151).
An emerging theme seems to be madness. These people are all affected by the sudden relationships and Isabella is one of them. She marries Heathcliff, thinking he's a charming young man, (right..) but Heathcliff really only uses her as a tool of revenge. The above quote shows Heathcliff's effect on Isabella. Basically, Heathcliff has ruined Isabella's life and she admits that she would prefer death over life. However, Isabella is partly to blame because she was rather naive going into the marriage and she barely knew Heathcliff anyway. At this point, it is obvious that Heathcliff's hubris is his longing for revenge. He's one of those characters that will not rest until he has sought some means of vengeance. Just like Iago, he doesn't mind if he breaks a few hearts along the way. This characterizes Heathcliff is a rather negative way and it causes the reader to view him as cruel and unforgiving. However, we know that beneath all of that need for vengeance lies a good intention: to win back his love Catherine. Aww. If only he would show that side more often.
An emerging theme seems to be madness. These people are all affected by the sudden relationships and Isabella is one of them. She marries Heathcliff, thinking he's a charming young man, (right..) but Heathcliff really only uses her as a tool of revenge. The above quote shows Heathcliff's effect on Isabella. Basically, Heathcliff has ruined Isabella's life and she admits that she would prefer death over life. However, Isabella is partly to blame because she was rather naive going into the marriage and she barely knew Heathcliff anyway. At this point, it is obvious that Heathcliff's hubris is his longing for revenge. He's one of those characters that will not rest until he has sought some means of vengeance. Just like Iago, he doesn't mind if he breaks a few hearts along the way. This characterizes Heathcliff is a rather negative way and it causes the reader to view him as cruel and unforgiving. However, we know that beneath all of that need for vengeance lies a good intention: to win back his love Catherine. Aww. If only he would show that side more often.
Wuthering Heights: Heathcliff
"Is Mr. Heathcliff a man? If so, is he mad? And if not, is he a devil?" (135).
So last blog I mentioned that Catherine was a little crazy. This blog I will talk about how Heathcliff is also crazy. This just proves that the two are meant for each other. Anyway, Isabella is writing this letter to Nelly talking about how horrified she is living with Heathcliff at Wuthering Heights. Isabella is wondering what she has gotten herself into with her marriage with Heathcliff, considering she suspects that he is a devil. Basically, most of the characters in the novel regard Heathcliff negatively. There are many reasons for this. Number one, Heathcliff's upbringing caused him to be an extremely bitter person. He was always cast aside as the unwanted adopted sibling and he never was appreciated except by Catherine. Secondly, Heathcliff falls in love with Catherine only to have his heart broken by her when she chose Edgar over him. This causes Heathcliff to basically go insane and seek vengeance in whatever way to somehow win Catherine back or at least make her jealous. All of the situations that Heathcliff have been placed in have only further aggravated his temper and he acts rather irrationally most of the time, therefore not many people seem to be on his side.
Sometimes I feel sympathetic for Heathcliff because he says things like "Existence, after losing her, would be hell" (148). That is the nicest thing Heathcliff has said about Catherine in awhile. But then again Heathcliff reminds me of Iago in Othello and then I don't feel so sorry for him. This novel is a good example of how jealousy can be a source of motivation and something that drives the action. The saying, "love makes you do crazy things" applies pretty well to this novel.
So last blog I mentioned that Catherine was a little crazy. This blog I will talk about how Heathcliff is also crazy. This just proves that the two are meant for each other. Anyway, Isabella is writing this letter to Nelly talking about how horrified she is living with Heathcliff at Wuthering Heights. Isabella is wondering what she has gotten herself into with her marriage with Heathcliff, considering she suspects that he is a devil. Basically, most of the characters in the novel regard Heathcliff negatively. There are many reasons for this. Number one, Heathcliff's upbringing caused him to be an extremely bitter person. He was always cast aside as the unwanted adopted sibling and he never was appreciated except by Catherine. Secondly, Heathcliff falls in love with Catherine only to have his heart broken by her when she chose Edgar over him. This causes Heathcliff to basically go insane and seek vengeance in whatever way to somehow win Catherine back or at least make her jealous. All of the situations that Heathcliff have been placed in have only further aggravated his temper and he acts rather irrationally most of the time, therefore not many people seem to be on his side.
Sometimes I feel sympathetic for Heathcliff because he says things like "Existence, after losing her, would be hell" (148). That is the nicest thing Heathcliff has said about Catherine in awhile. But then again Heathcliff reminds me of Iago in Othello and then I don't feel so sorry for him. This novel is a good example of how jealousy can be a source of motivation and something that drives the action. The saying, "love makes you do crazy things" applies pretty well to this novel.
Wuthering Heights: Crazy Characters
"I'll inform you Catherine Linton is different now from your old friend Catherine Earnshaw, as that young lady is different from me. Her appearance is changed greatly, her character much more so; and the person who is compelled of necessity, to be her companion will only sustain his affection hereafter by the remembrance of what she once was, by common humanity, and a sense of duty!" pg. 147
At this point in the book, I've deemed Catherine as a dynamic character because of the way she changes throughout the novel. As a child she is curious, loving, and imaginative. As time wears on and she marries Edgar, she becomes mad and her character is more self-pitying and she complains about everything. The reason for Catherine's extreme shift if character is due to her being pulled in different directions. She marries Edgar even though she doesn't truly love him but she always seems to love Heathcliff even though she spends much of her time yelling at him. Heathcliff and Catherine are one of those people that have a love-hate relationship. It's kinda annoying how they love each other yet their relationship centers around making the other one jealous. Catherine marries Edgar--Heathcliff gets jealous--Heathcliff marries Isabella as payback. It's all a vicious cycle really. All of the characters in this book are crazy though, really. It's a bit ironic that it's a love story when half of the time the couples are fighting amongst themselves.
At this point in the book, I've deemed Catherine as a dynamic character because of the way she changes throughout the novel. As a child she is curious, loving, and imaginative. As time wears on and she marries Edgar, she becomes mad and her character is more self-pitying and she complains about everything. The reason for Catherine's extreme shift if character is due to her being pulled in different directions. She marries Edgar even though she doesn't truly love him but she always seems to love Heathcliff even though she spends much of her time yelling at him. Heathcliff and Catherine are one of those people that have a love-hate relationship. It's kinda annoying how they love each other yet their relationship centers around making the other one jealous. Catherine marries Edgar--Heathcliff gets jealous--Heathcliff marries Isabella as payback. It's all a vicious cycle really. All of the characters in this book are crazy though, really. It's a bit ironic that it's a love story when half of the time the couples are fighting amongst themselves.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Wuthering Heights: Heathcliff's Bad Luck
"Proud people breed sorrow for themselves" (56).
I feel like this quote is significant. Mrs. Dean says this in response to Heathcliff's sad state of depression that Catherine has developed an interest for Edgar. I think that Mrs. Dean is trying to tell Heathcliff that he should not pity himself and instead talk to Catherine again. She even says "A good heart will help you to a bonny face, my lad" (57). Mrs. Dean does give Heathcliff a lot of advice concerning their relationship. I do feel some sympathy toward Heathcliff because it wasn't his fault that he slipped away from Catherine. The two were going over to the Linton's to eavesdrop and have fun yet it ended up in Catherine being attacked by a dog. It was a little odd that she was at the Linton household so long for the injury and that caused her to start to like Edgar. So really Heathcliff just got landed in a bunch of bad luck. I mean at this point, he's hated by Hindley, his relationship with Catherine isn't the same, and Mrs. Dean is the only person he has that seems to tolerate him.
Also, it appears that Mrs. Dean has dominated practically all of the narration. Mr. Lockwood doesn't really have much comment throughout but he does urge her to continue the story because he is so interested. I can't quite understand why Mr. Lockwood would be so enthralled by the love story of two young people though, considering the story is rather slow and really descriptive without a lot of actual action.
Wuthering Heights: Characterization
"I only wish I knew the best way! Let me alone, and I'll plan it out: while I'm thinking of that I don't feel pain" (61).
Since Hindley had Heathcliff locked up and away from all the fun, Heathcliff wants to seek vengeance on Hindley. I feel like the novel is going to be a lot of Heathcliff and Hindley wanting revenge on one another. Hindley wants revenge because Heathcliff has invaded his life and Heathcliff wants revenge because of the way that Hindley shuns him from the rest of the family like he does not belong. This is one of those families where no one is ever actually happy and there's always some argument over something it seems like.
Anyway, Mrs. Dean seems to be the one that Heathcliff confides in much of the time. He initially told her about his jealousy of Edgar and now he is telling her about how he plans to seek vengeance on Hindley. Mrs. Dean serves as a person of advice but I can't help but feel like she contradicts herself. When Heathcliff tells her that he just wants to "pay Hindley back" Mrs. Dean immediately is appalled and tells him "It is for God to punish wicked people; we should learn to forgive" (60-61).
When Mrs. Dean was describing the first meeting of Heathcliff she even claimed that she hated him the same as Hindley did. Yet in this moment she is looking out for him and warning him against what he plans to do. If she hates him why does she care? These characters are all complicated to me at this point.
Since Hindley had Heathcliff locked up and away from all the fun, Heathcliff wants to seek vengeance on Hindley. I feel like the novel is going to be a lot of Heathcliff and Hindley wanting revenge on one another. Hindley wants revenge because Heathcliff has invaded his life and Heathcliff wants revenge because of the way that Hindley shuns him from the rest of the family like he does not belong. This is one of those families where no one is ever actually happy and there's always some argument over something it seems like.
Anyway, Mrs. Dean seems to be the one that Heathcliff confides in much of the time. He initially told her about his jealousy of Edgar and now he is telling her about how he plans to seek vengeance on Hindley. Mrs. Dean serves as a person of advice but I can't help but feel like she contradicts herself. When Heathcliff tells her that he just wants to "pay Hindley back" Mrs. Dean immediately is appalled and tells him "It is for God to punish wicked people; we should learn to forgive" (60-61).
When Mrs. Dean was describing the first meeting of Heathcliff she even claimed that she hated him the same as Hindley did. Yet in this moment she is looking out for him and warning him against what he plans to do. If she hates him why does she care? These characters are all complicated to me at this point.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)