Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte 1848

A product of the Age of Romanticism Emphasis on the “natural” Importance of feeling over "thinking” Darker aspects of human existence We can be vicious, brutal, and perverse. Light of civilization may not triumph over darkness

The Lure of the Gothic …to make your blood run cold… Taste for terror Eerie and supernatural Gloomy, often crepuscular setting Wild and overgrown landscapes Melancholic Ghosts, specters, and monsters- Murky lines between “villain” and “hero”

The Gothic novel was one way in which the people of the Victorian Age expressed a sense of helplessness about forces beyond their control: frightening rebellions throughout Europe and the Industrial Revolution to name a couple. Through this genre, readers could share their fears about the Age’s suffering, injustices and other unseen “evils.”

Helpful Terminology doppelganger- a ghostly counterpart- a double of a living person- specially when he/she “haunts” its fleshly counterpart xenophobia- fear of strangers, outcast, or foreigners frame story- a story within a story- layers of storytelling featured wuthering- stormy and tumultuous Fairy tale, medieval romance, wish fulfillment- see notes on website

George Gordon Lord Byron The archetype for the Byronic Hero “Mad, bad and dangerous to know...” Lady Caroline Lamb, speaking of Byron

Thomas Macauley’s definition: “A man proud, moody, cynical, with defiance on his brow and misery in his heart, a scorner of his kind, implacable in revenge, yet capable of deep and strong affection.”

Characteristics of the Byronic hero Devastatingly attractive, yet fatally flawed Outcast- painfully yet defiantly alone Individualist, a rebel- defy conventions Intellectually searching Brooding- usually over some past sin Tenacious Mysterious Ambitious, but doomed Misunderstood Compulsion to experience the forbidden Misanthropic

Characteristics of the anti-hero anti-hero-a reluctant hero who would not consider himself capable of accomplishing the goal. He might be selfish, addicted, corrupt, sullen or disaffected. Rebellious- often a loner. By the end of the journey the anti- hero typically transforms into a fuller, happier or more complete person due to the struggles he or she endures, even if he/she has to die. Examples of… –Tyler Durden- The Fight Club –Dr. Gregory House from House –Breaking Bad’s - Jesse, and even Walter White for that matter –Dexter, the likeable blood-spatter expert for the Miami PD who also happens to be a serial killer...but kills bad guys only. Here we have hero and villain rolled into one compelling anti-hero package –John Proctor- The Crucible –McMurphy- One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Guiding Questions Use of our terms: doppelganger, frame, xenophobia, Byronic hero, Structure, two peripheral storytellers, epistolary techniques, mid-point decision- why and effect? Characteristics of gothic, revenge drama, medieval romance, fairy tale? Evaluate the hero- moral, immoral, amoral? Effects of castigation and isolation of character Role of setting(s) Role of violence Perversion of convention- disquietude-contradictions Evaluate the ending Use of stereotyped characters Treatment of love

Lockwood's Dream Lockwood attacked by Dogs Flight over Rooftops Bulldog Bite The Fall of Hareton Storm over the Heights The Return of Heathcliff Heathcliff embraces Isabella Deranged at the Grange The Last Meeting Birth & Death Absorbing Subject

Cinematic Depictions of Catherine and Heathcliff