Wuthering Heights (1847) by Emily Bronte

Discuss with colleagues! Is love a decision, or is it more like a force of nature? In what ways do our surroundings—the places where we live—help shape our personalities? Can people change significantly? Or do their basic natures always stay the same? Is passion a virtue or a vice?

Geographical Setting - Yorkshire, England

The Setting, cont. Wuthering Heights is set in three locations: Wuthering Heights Thrushcross Grange The Yorkshire Moors

Moors

Thrushcross Grange

The Moors

Wuthering Heights

Two Households/Estates Wuthering Heights – Earnshaw Family – Heathcliff – Joseph Thrushcross Grange – Linton Family

Narrative Framework Wuthering Heights is highly praised for the unique narrative technique Emily Bronte used to execute the novel, often referred to as a frame narrative. The two main narrators are Lockwood and Nelly Dean, but other narrators arise throughout the novel when Nelly quotes what other characters have told her. Since the story passes through layers, the reader must question the reliability of all that he or she reads. – Example: Nelly glosses over events to minimize her own guilt. – Example: Lockwood is naïve and lacks good judgment.

Novel Structure Wuthering Heights is told in medias res (Latin for "into the middle of things”). It usually describes a narrative that begins, not at the beginning of a story, but somewhere in the middle — usually at some crucial point in the action. The purpose in Wuthering Heights is to add a sense of mystery, suspense, and foreshadowing.

Industrial Revolution and Social Class Wuthering Heights was written in 1847, which was a time when capitalism and the Industrial Revolution were the dominant forces of the British economy and society. It was a time of rapid, often confusing, change that led to violence. As a result of the changing economy, the traditional relationships between classes and the social structure began to change.

Rise of Middle Class While wealth had traditionally been measured by land ownership, the eighteenth century had begun a trend toward a cash-based economy. This created a middle class who were more economically powerful than its landowning superiors (gentry). The power of yeomen, or the respectable farming class, as well as the traditional power-holding gentry was challenged by the newly wealthy capitalists.

Social Changes... Each of these classes is represented in the novel by various characters. Hareton is a member of the respectable farming class the Lintons are members of the gentry Heathcliff makes his fortune (somewhat mysteriously) as a capitalist

Women’s Rights… During this time period women’s rights were progressively evolving. Why this is relevant to novel: Emily Brontë wrote Wuthering Heights during the beginning of the women’s rights movement in England. The primary concerns of the movement were the lack of women’s right to vote and the lack of married women’s property rights. The latter issue arises in Wuthering Heights. Women couldn’t own or control property. If a woman inherited wealth/land, it would go to their husband. If they were unmarried, it would be controlled by closest male relative.

Romanticism, the Gothic novel, and Wuthering Heights Wuthering Heights contains elements of Romanticism and the Gothic novel. Romantic elements: – nature as a powerful spiritual force – descriptions of the countryside – elevated emotional levels and passion – a desire to rise above the limitations of ordinary human existence – a strong interest in death – a portrayal of opposites – escape and pursuit, life and death – isolation, both emotional and geographical – elements of the supernatural

The Gothic novel Elements of the Gothic novel – a castle, sometimes ruined or haunted – sinister, ruined buildings – extreme landscape and weather – death and madness – omens – ancestral curses – terrifying events – taboo and sensational topics – a suggestion of the supernatural – a villain or villain-hero (Byronic hero) driven by passion – a heroine wooed by both a good and a dangerous suitor – revenge

Byronic Hero Heathcliff is regarded as a classic Byronic hero. The Byronic hero was defined by Lord Byron’s epic narrative poem, Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage in Elements of the Byronic hero: – a distaste for social institutions and social norms – conflicting emotions or moodiness – high levels of intelligence and cunning – self-criticism – mysterious origins and a troubled past – self-destructive tendencies – a loner, rejected from society

Keep In Mind… Keep track of dates and how the story progresses. Keep track of who is speaking. This will help you keep your reading organized. Keep track of whether or not the story is flashback mode or not. It is not necessary to understand all of Joseph’s dialogue, but you need to keep in mind his characterization and the meaning behind what he says.

Some Motifs to Keep in Mind. Write in front of book/notes. Passion Cruelty and its effects Revenge Success and Social Standing Class Distinctions Fate Prejudice Confinement and Freedom GEOGRAPHY! Weather (symbolic importance) Eyes Windows Animals and savagery Doubling and Identity Nature vs. Nurture Dreams Ghosts

Some Activities as We Read

Add to your character web based on the plot events that occur in our reading so far.

Ch. 1-4 Learning Adventures Summarize the plot so far. Differences between Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange Characterize the following: – Heathcliff-- Lockwood – Hareton Earnshaw-- Cathy Heathcliff – Joseph-- Ellen “Nelly” Dean What’s the deal with Lockwood’s dream (Ch. 3)? What’s the deal with the ghost of Catherine Earnshaw? Why does Bronte confuse the reader in these opening chapters?

In your groups, write down 2 themes we can glean from the novel so far. Discuss how the novel presents them. Discuss the novel’s social commentary. Consider aspects such as the role of social class, the role and perception of servants, the role and status of women, and the idea of marriage. Be sure to include manners, speech, education, and values in your discussion. Characterize (using at least 2 strong adjectives) the following: – Heathcliff – Hindley Earnshaw – Catherine Earnshaw Linton – Edgar Linton – Hareton Earnshaw – Isabella Linton – Cathy Linton Heathcliff – Linton Heathcliff – Nelly Dean

Byronic Hero Elements of the Byronic hero: – a distaste for social institutions and social norms – conflicting emotions or moodiness – high levels of intelligence and cunning – self-criticism – mysterious origins and a troubled past – self-destructive tendencies – a loner, rejected from society Using concrete examples from the text, explain how Heathcliff fits the Byronic Hero archetype.

Complete the following character continuums. No ties! SYMPATHETIC Least Most VIRTUOUS (high moral character) Least Most SUCCESSFUL

Questions! Which character sacrifices the most? Which character is most interesting? Which character is most realistic? Who most deserved what they got? What is this novel’s argument about human nature? Where would you want to live? Wuthering Heights, Thrushcross Grange, neither? To whom in history would you recommend this book? Why? How is this novel relevant in 2015? (or isn’t it?) How does this novel stack up against others we’ve read this year?

Identify specific examples of these motifs and analyze them with regard to greater themes, purposes, characterization, etc. Passion Cruelty and Its Effects Revenge Success and Social Standing Class Distinctions Fate Prejudice Confinement and Freedom GEOGRAPHY! Weather as a Symbol Eyes Windows Animals and Savagery Doubling and Identity Nature vs. Nurture Dreams Ghosts