Wuthering Heights

"Wuthering Heights is the name of Heathcliff's dwelling, 'Wuthering' being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather." pg. 4

For one of my opinion blogs I wanted to talk about the title and the impact it has on the story. Not only does the title sound intriguing, but the pictures on my books cover also catch my attention. The title, Wuthering Heights, is the name of Mr. Heathcliff's home. Not only does he live there now, but it goes back to the Earnshaws when he was little. The house itself comes across as a very cold dark place. When Mr. Lockwood arrives for a job, the family sits taciturn and is not welcoming. The rooms are dreary and crazy things happen. Mr. Lockwood assumes it is haunted! Heathcliff is a discerning man. Titling the novel Wuthering Heights adds an insight to how the house and family inside plays an important role on the entire story. Any one that steps foot into that house has stories to share for a lifetime. The atmosphere is enough to give someone the creeps. It sits on a hill and has blowing leaves and broken rocks. I picture a haunted house whenever the house is mentioned.

Wuthering Heights-Catherine

"From the hour she came down stairs, til the hour she went to bed, we had not a minute's security that she wouldn't be in mischief." pg. 42

Catherine is a very interesting character. Beside the fact that she is associated with many different names throughout the story, when she was little, she was a handful. As she grew up, she grew a more and more liking to Heathcliff, her brother (not really). At first, I was really confused. All these people in the story had different names for themselves and it took me some time to figure who was who. Anyway, one of the turning points in Catherine's life was when she went to live at the Linton's. They were rich and fancy. When she returned, she too felt mature and acted like a woman. Her love for Heathcliff never changed but stayed clear of him for some time. This novel is good so far. It seems Heathcliff and Catherine have so many ties to eachother yet they never fit into the same place. Catherine married Edgar and it seems in spite Heathcliff married Isabella. A love triangle definately sums up Catherine, Edgar, and Heathcliff. There is no doubt Catherine still has more to offer in the story. She is constantly becoming insane and dilusional which only adds to the story as a whole.

Wuthering Heights-point of view

"I believe at Wuthering Heights the kitchen is forced to retreat altogether into another quarter, at least I distinguished a chatter of tongues..."pg. 5

"I listened doutingly an instant; detected the disturber, then turned and dozed and dreamt again. I remember..." pg. 25

"I determined to watch his movements. My heart invariably cleaved to the master's, in preference to Catherine's side; with reason, I imagined, for he was kind, and trustful..." pg. 109

The entire story is told in first person. However, one characteristic about this novel is that in the beginning, Mr. Lockwood is the speaker until he goes to Mrs. Dean to find out more about Heathcliff. Then, the story stays in first person but has a knew antecdent for the pronoun "I". After chapter four, the "I" refers back to Mrs. Dean. By having the story told in first person, I am able to become more intact with the story. It brings the book on a more personal level. Also, the point of view shows it from one viewpoint the entire time except through dialogue amongst characters. In the examples, the first two are of Mr. Lockwood, and the last of Mrs. Dean. Having the story in first person, a closer read and better understanding develops on why characters are the way they are, and how they came to be. A story is told to convey information. First person allows for hands on feedback and a thoughtful story.

Wuthering Heights-simile/metaphor

"My love for Linton is like the 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. Nelly, I am Heathcliff-he's always, always in my mind."pg. 84

Similes and metaphors are used in stories to create comparisons between two or more things. Catherine is a weary character. She is in a tangled love mess with Heathcliff, her childhood love, and Edgar Linton her husband. However, she is unsure of who is the right choice. In her case, Catherine compares her love. Catherine knows that time will change her feelings of Linton just as the wind blows the foliage. In that case, why does she marry him? She says that her and Heathcliff's love is like rocks. Rocks are sturday and non-changing, yet she does not "choose" him as her lover. Obviously Catherine has a greater love for Heathcliff made true in her comparison. There is more to the story to find out why she chose Linton and her reasoning on keeping with her decision though a weary one. Nelly, is a strongheaded woman. She acts like a mediator for Cathy and does nothing but listen and ask for deeper meaning. She plays along to Catherine's comparison.

Wuthering Heights- characterization

"She was slender, and apparently scarcely past girlhood: an admirable form, and the most exquisite little face that I have ever had the pleasure of beholding: small features, very fair; flaxen ringlets, or rather golden, hanging loose on her delicate neck; and eyes-had they been agreeable in expression they would have been irresistable" pg. 11

Throughout the novel, the speaker does a good job of identifying the characters through direct characterization. As readers, we come to know who the characters are by their looks, personalities, and actions taken into count by the speaker of the story and he precieves them. In this example, the speaker is characterizing Mrs. Heathcliff when he first meets her. She is taciturn and has an agitated feeling that comes across. There are reasons for her acting this way that are told throughout. At this statement, we know the outer looks of Mrs. Heathcliff and are able to form an image of what she looks like and who she is by the characteristics given. Authors use this technique of characterization so the readers are able to think of the characters in their mind and have a further understanding of the book and its characters. Some other characters we come to know in this way are Heathcliff and Catherine (little and older), Joseph, Nelly, and Mrs. Dean.