Wuthering Heights

1. Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte

2. Emily Bronte • Widowed father was a clergyman, raised 6 children alone in the wild moor territory • Sent to boarding school at age 6 (2 sisters died there which profoundly affected Charlotte and Emily • isolated, strange, sequestered environment • Highly imaginative, extremely reclusive, began writing poetry at an early age • Sister’s novel, Jane Eyre was published in 1847 • Wuthering Heights was published in 1848 with the initial reaction being poor—called a strange story • 2nd edition in 1850 (after Bronte’s death) gained critical and commercial success • WH was originally published under name of Ellis Bell because of the implications concerning female writers (common for women at the time) • died on December 19, 1848

3. Literary Context / Literary Movements Age of Reason – Age of Romanticism – Age of Realism • WH was influenced by the Romantic Movement • Reaction again the emphasis on reason and intellect that dominated the 18th century • Stressed the importance of feeling rather than thinking • Rise of Gothic architecture, literature, etc.—painting style was impressionistic and moody, dark • Romantic poets included Byron and Shelley

4. Literary Context / Literary Movements • Emphasis on the nature especially the darker aspects of existence and human nature • Said humans could be vicious and perverse and the light of civilization might not always triumph over darkness • Byronic hero • Elements of Realism: some characters are true to life and depict every day events • Regionalism was an offshoot of Realism that Bronte used to realistically capture the color of a region such as the moor descriptions and the regional dialect of Yorkshire moors

5. Setting • Setting (dual settings) • 1771-1802 • Northern English county of Yorkshire • Wuthering Heights = family home of the Earnshaws • “The Heights” • Thrushcross Grange = family home of the Lintons • “The Grange”

6. Structure • Two parts • Part I: focus on Catherine & Heathcliff • Part II: focus on young Cathy, Linton, & Hareton (cousins • Story begins = winter, 1801 • Story ends = September, 1802 • Time span = 30 years, told in flashbacks by multiple narrators…

7. Point of View • Voice = First person • Dual narrators: Nelly Dean & Mr. Lockwood • Not true players in the story but the story is told through their eyes and memories • Layers of shifting speakers: • Diary of Mr. Lockwood • Nelly Dean • Heathcliff • Isabella • Cathy • Zillah • Linton

8. Style • Gothic novel • Popular in the late 18th/early 19th centuries • Gloomy settings • Atmosphere of terror and mystery Wuthering Heights = ghostly apparitions, melodramatically passionate characters, fascination with the spiritual union of souls

9. Element to remember: • Byronic Hero – “dark hero” who embodies the passionate, brooding, even evil nature of mankind • Created by poet George Gordon, Lord Byron • Proud • Moody • Cynical • Defiant • Implacable • Seeking revenge • Often filled with a deep, strong passion for his heroine

10. Characters The Earnshaw Family Hindley Catherine Heathcliff Hareton

11. Characters The Linton Family Edgar Isabella m. m. Catherine Earnshaw Heathcliff Young Catherine m. Linton

12. Characters – cont. • Ellen (Nelly) Dean • Joseph • Zillah • Kenneth • Mr. Lockwood

13. Themes • Family history / family relationships / sibling rivalry • The need for forgiveness • Romantic or ill-fated love • Destructive power of revenge • Civilization versus primal passion • The role of social class • Darkness of the human soul • Love = creative, nurturing force vs. all-consuming, destructive force • Consequences of passion that dominates reason

14. Symbols • Houses • Wuthering Heights (stormy, wild) • Thrushcross Grange (calm, happy) • Natural Elements • Weather • Plants around the houses • Environment of the moors

15. Appeared on the AP Test: 1971 1988 1997 1977 1989 1999 1978 1990 2001 1979 1991 2006 1983 1992 2007 1986 1996 2008 2010

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17. Engaging Issues: Label each statement as true or false. • Love is painful. • Everyone has a soulmate. • Love is an emotion. • Love is a decision. • All is fair in love. • Jealousy is an expression of love. • When you fall in love, it should be forever. • To die for one’s love is noble. • You should marry only your soulmate.

18. Engaging Issues: Small Groups • Choose a statement and discuss both sides (true/false), giving reasons for your opinions. Reach a consensus on the dilemma and on the broader issue and present your conclusions to the class.

19. Read: “Early Autumn” p. 353 • Explain the story’s plot. • Which character still seems in love with the other despite the passage of years? Explain what brought you to this conclusion. • Explain the symbolic significance of the title and the description of the setting. 4. “The bus started. People came between them outside, people crossing the street, people they didn’t know. Space and people. She lost sight of Bill.” How is Bill and Mary’s parting symbolic of the things that divide people?

20. Book Club: Discussion 1 (1-10) • Characterize: Heathcliff and Catherine • Point of view / implications of shifting “pov” on the novel • Discuss: • Significance of Mr. Lockwood’s dream about preacher Branderham • Mrs. Dean’s observation that young Heathcliff always told the truth *If Catherine feels strongly about Heathcliff, why would she marry Edgar? Support your claim with textual evidence.