Passage:
"I wanted something to happen which might have the effect of freeing both Wuthering Heights and the Grange of Mr. Heathcliff quietly; leaving us as we had been prior to his advent. His visits were continual nightmares to me; and, I suspected, to my master also. His abode at the Heights was an oppression past explaining. I felt that God had forsaken the stray sheep there to its own wicked wanderings, and an evil beast prowled between it and the fold, waiting his time to spring and destroy"
-This passage is significant because it sums up the effect that Heathcliff's presence has on everyone else. Though Nelly only mentions Heathcliff himself and Edgar, she leads the reader to think about Cathy and Miss Linton as well (through them). Previously, Heathcliff was unwanted because of his lack of significance. This passage shows how everything is now changed - Heathcliff is unwanted because he has this strong power over everyone.
-Bronte uses many devices to make this passage stand out to the reader and encourage them to find the significance within it. As a whole, it seems to be foreshadowing some ominous event. Twice in this chapter before this passage (which ends the chapter), Nelly speaks of Healthcliff as an omen. The use of "evil beast" and "waiting his time to spring and destroy" paired with the nightmare motif, helps to build up this idea that something horrible is about to happen. We are already aware of Cathy's death, and this connection of Heathcliff to this awful event makes it seem as though he is someway connected to it.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Heights 6
Passage:
"This is nothing," cried she: "I was only going to say that heaven did nto seem to be my home; and I broke my heart with weeping to come back to earth; and the angels were so angry that they flung me out into the middle of the heath on the top of Wuthering Heights; where I woke sobbing for joy. That will do to explain my secret, as well as the other. Ive no more business to marry Edgar Linton than I have to be in heaven; and if the wicked man in tehre had not brought Heathcliff so low, I shouldnt have thought of it. 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 aer the same; and Linston's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire."
-This passage is significant because it is where the novel's biggest conflict reaches a high point. Catherine is finally admitting her love for Heathcliff, but at the same time, she is promising that it can never be known to him. Heathcliff's unknown presence to her makes this even more of an issue because he now knows that everything he has dreamed about can not happen. This leads to Heathcliff running away and Cathy realizing how much he truly does mean to her. This passage is also ironic in a way because Cathy won't marry Healthcliff because of how "low" he is - but now Heathcliff has more money that he knows what to do with, but no Cathy. This, and the fact that Cathy realizes how unalike she and Linton are, help to create ideas and themes about love that are carried throughout the book.
-Bronte uses many devices to make this passage stand out, and to emphasize its significance. She uses a dream again to show something about Cathy. This caused me, as the reader, to go back to the beginning of the book when the man had the dream about her. Bronte seems to use dreams to show the underlying desires of the characters - Cathy in particular. When Cathy chooses to marry Linton, in her dream she is unhappy in heaven - somewhere you are supposed to go to for eternal happiness - like marriage. She also uses things from nature and the heavens to show her differences from Linton. Linton is obviously the moonbeam- the moon is beautiful and stays on the same,steady cycle. Cathy is the lightning - also beautiful and awe-inspiring, but at the same time can cause destruction. Also, by comparing her like fire, Bronte shows how Cathy is to Heathcliff - she can burn him, but in the end he needs her to live (warmth,comfort,survival, food).
"This is nothing," cried she: "I was only going to say that heaven did nto seem to be my home; and I broke my heart with weeping to come back to earth; and the angels were so angry that they flung me out into the middle of the heath on the top of Wuthering Heights; where I woke sobbing for joy. That will do to explain my secret, as well as the other. Ive no more business to marry Edgar Linton than I have to be in heaven; and if the wicked man in tehre had not brought Heathcliff so low, I shouldnt have thought of it. 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 aer the same; and Linston's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire."
-This passage is significant because it is where the novel's biggest conflict reaches a high point. Catherine is finally admitting her love for Heathcliff, but at the same time, she is promising that it can never be known to him. Heathcliff's unknown presence to her makes this even more of an issue because he now knows that everything he has dreamed about can not happen. This leads to Heathcliff running away and Cathy realizing how much he truly does mean to her. This passage is also ironic in a way because Cathy won't marry Healthcliff because of how "low" he is - but now Heathcliff has more money that he knows what to do with, but no Cathy. This, and the fact that Cathy realizes how unalike she and Linton are, help to create ideas and themes about love that are carried throughout the book.
-Bronte uses many devices to make this passage stand out, and to emphasize its significance. She uses a dream again to show something about Cathy. This caused me, as the reader, to go back to the beginning of the book when the man had the dream about her. Bronte seems to use dreams to show the underlying desires of the characters - Cathy in particular. When Cathy chooses to marry Linton, in her dream she is unhappy in heaven - somewhere you are supposed to go to for eternal happiness - like marriage. She also uses things from nature and the heavens to show her differences from Linton. Linton is obviously the moonbeam- the moon is beautiful and stays on the same,steady cycle. Cathy is the lightning - also beautiful and awe-inspiring, but at the same time can cause destruction. Also, by comparing her like fire, Bronte shows how Cathy is to Heathcliff - she can burn him, but in the end he needs her to live (warmth,comfort,survival, food).
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Heights 5
Passage:
"Doubtless Catherine marked the difference between her friends , as one came in and the other went out. The contrast resembled what you seein exchanging bleak, hilly, coal country for a beautiful fertile valley; and his voice and greeting were as opposite as his aspect. He had a sweet, low manner or speaking, and pronouced his words as you do: that's less gruff than we talk here, and softer."
This passage shows how Catherine views the two people closest to her. Earlier in the chapter, Nelly informs the reader that Cathy began to "adopt a double character". This passage further supports the idea that Catherine has two opposite parts of her life that she holds seperate from one another. It is clear from this passage that she has slowly forgotten the joy once brought to her from the part of her life that was Heathcliff. It seems as though when she is with Linton (the "beautiful fertile valley"), she attempts to hide any part of her that may not fit in with him. It seems as though she can never truly let herself out when she is around him ( until a few paragraphs later when she hits him). This fact that she always leaves a part of her with Heathcliff ( her true passionate side) leads us readers to hope she will return to him.
The words " as one came in and the other went out" represent more than the character's movement throughout the room - they are showing how Cathy is replacing Heathcliff with Linton. The next few lines continue to compare the two, using words that depict Heathcliff as dark and empty - which is clearly how Cathy views him. She sees Linton as someone who will provide her with wealth and stabilty ("fertile valley") and enjoys feeling as if she can be a part of what he is. She does not think that by being with Heathcliff, she will benefit in any way or gain anything - and these feelings are shown by his being compared to a "bleak, hilly coal country". Coal, however, is something that, while it is dirty, is necessary for energy and survival - maybe this is how Bronte hints at Catherine's attachment to him.
"Doubtless Catherine marked the difference between her friends , as one came in and the other went out. The contrast resembled what you seein exchanging bleak, hilly, coal country for a beautiful fertile valley; and his voice and greeting were as opposite as his aspect. He had a sweet, low manner or speaking, and pronouced his words as you do: that's less gruff than we talk here, and softer."
This passage shows how Catherine views the two people closest to her. Earlier in the chapter, Nelly informs the reader that Cathy began to "adopt a double character". This passage further supports the idea that Catherine has two opposite parts of her life that she holds seperate from one another. It is clear from this passage that she has slowly forgotten the joy once brought to her from the part of her life that was Heathcliff. It seems as though when she is with Linton (the "beautiful fertile valley"), she attempts to hide any part of her that may not fit in with him. It seems as though she can never truly let herself out when she is around him ( until a few paragraphs later when she hits him). This fact that she always leaves a part of her with Heathcliff ( her true passionate side) leads us readers to hope she will return to him.
The words " as one came in and the other went out" represent more than the character's movement throughout the room - they are showing how Cathy is replacing Heathcliff with Linton. The next few lines continue to compare the two, using words that depict Heathcliff as dark and empty - which is clearly how Cathy views him. She sees Linton as someone who will provide her with wealth and stabilty ("fertile valley") and enjoys feeling as if she can be a part of what he is. She does not think that by being with Heathcliff, she will benefit in any way or gain anything - and these feelings are shown by his being compared to a "bleak, hilly coal country". Coal, however, is something that, while it is dirty, is necessary for energy and survival - maybe this is how Bronte hints at Catherine's attachment to him.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Heights 4
Passage:
"Afterwards, they dried and combed her beautiful hair, and gave her a pair of enourmous slippers, and wheeled her to the fire; and I left her , as merry as she could be, dividing her food between the little dog and Skulker, whose nose she pinched as he hate; and kindling a spark of spirit in the vacant blue eyes of the Lintons - a dim reflection from the her own enchanting face. I saw they were full of stupid admiration; she is so immensley superior to them - to everybody on earth, is she not, Nelly?"
This passage is significant to the work as a whole because it shows Healthcliff's love for Cathy. This is the first time that his character voices his admiration for her. It shows how Cathy is so important to him - because she is the only one who treats him nicely. Even though Healthcliff is hated by Hindley and seen as a gypsy by all other characters, Cathy's love for him allows his character to see good in the world.
In this passage, Bronte uses a lot of words that relate to light when she refers to Catherine (fire, spark, kindling, reflection). The passage is being spoken by Healthcliff, which shows how he sees Catherine as the only light in his world. When his character is described now that he is alone, it is very dark, solemn and depressing. Throughout the entire novel so far, Catherine has been created a symbol of light and hope in Healthcliff's life. The use of the semicolon to connect all the sentences about Catherine together show how as he is describing the event, Heathcliff can not think about anything but Cathy - all of his thoughts of her are drawn together, just as she draws him in with her light.
"Afterwards, they dried and combed her beautiful hair, and gave her a pair of enourmous slippers, and wheeled her to the fire; and I left her , as merry as she could be, dividing her food between the little dog and Skulker, whose nose she pinched as he hate; and kindling a spark of spirit in the vacant blue eyes of the Lintons - a dim reflection from the her own enchanting face. I saw they were full of stupid admiration; she is so immensley superior to them - to everybody on earth, is she not, Nelly?"
This passage is significant to the work as a whole because it shows Healthcliff's love for Cathy. This is the first time that his character voices his admiration for her. It shows how Cathy is so important to him - because she is the only one who treats him nicely. Even though Healthcliff is hated by Hindley and seen as a gypsy by all other characters, Cathy's love for him allows his character to see good in the world.
In this passage, Bronte uses a lot of words that relate to light when she refers to Catherine (fire, spark, kindling, reflection). The passage is being spoken by Healthcliff, which shows how he sees Catherine as the only light in his world. When his character is described now that he is alone, it is very dark, solemn and depressing. Throughout the entire novel so far, Catherine has been created a symbol of light and hope in Healthcliff's life. The use of the semicolon to connect all the sentences about Catherine together show how as he is describing the event, Heathcliff can not think about anything but Cathy - all of his thoughts of her are drawn together, just as she draws him in with her light.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Heights 3
Passage:
"she was never so happy as when we were all scolding her at once, and she defying us with her bold, saucy look, and her ready words; turning Joseph's religious curses into ridicule, baiting me, and doing just what her father hated most - showing how her pretended insolence, which he thought real, had more power over Heathcliff than his kindness: how the boy would do her bidding in anything, and his only when it suited his own inclination."
-This passage is significant because it sets up the relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff. This chapter is when the reader is able to see how their relationship originated and developed, and this passage seems to capture all of that. It also is very important in characterizing both of them. We are able to see Catherine's mischevious side and Heathlcliff's soft side - which seems to come out around Catherine. This passage is also important because we know that the relationship between these two is the main issue in the novel and therefore this may represent what is to come.
-This passage has a lot of words in it that oppose each other to create juxtaposition. It sets happy against scolding, religious against ridiclue, pretended against real, and insolence against kindness. This is important to the passage because it causes the reader to become aware of these extreme opposites that seem to reflect the characters and their emotions (Previously, it was seen that Healthcliff can be both cold and compassionate). The syntax also places Catherine's wants and desires before Heathcliff's - and the use of the word "power" alludes to the power that she continues to hold over him.
"she was never so happy as when we were all scolding her at once, and she defying us with her bold, saucy look, and her ready words; turning Joseph's religious curses into ridicule, baiting me, and doing just what her father hated most - showing how her pretended insolence, which he thought real, had more power over Heathcliff than his kindness: how the boy would do her bidding in anything, and his only when it suited his own inclination."
-This passage is significant because it sets up the relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff. This chapter is when the reader is able to see how their relationship originated and developed, and this passage seems to capture all of that. It also is very important in characterizing both of them. We are able to see Catherine's mischevious side and Heathlcliff's soft side - which seems to come out around Catherine. This passage is also important because we know that the relationship between these two is the main issue in the novel and therefore this may represent what is to come.
-This passage has a lot of words in it that oppose each other to create juxtaposition. It sets happy against scolding, religious against ridiclue, pretended against real, and insolence against kindness. This is important to the passage because it causes the reader to become aware of these extreme opposites that seem to reflect the characters and their emotions (Previously, it was seen that Healthcliff can be both cold and compassionate). The syntax also places Catherine's wants and desires before Heathcliff's - and the use of the word "power" alludes to the power that she continues to hold over him.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Heights 2
Passage:
He got onto the bed, and wrenched open the lattice, bursting, as he pulled at it, into an uncontrollable passion of tears. "Come in!come in!" he sobbed. "Cathy, do come. Oh, do - once more! Oh! my heart's darling! hear me this time, Catherine, at last!"
The spectre showed a spectre's ordinary caprice: it gave no sign of being, but the snow and wind whirled wildly through, even reaching my station, and blowing out the light.
-I think this passage is significant because it shows the depth of Heathcliff's character and the reason why he is so cold. This passage shows the reader that Healthcliff has a conflict to solve within himself - one that he has been battling for quite a while. This also introduces Catherine as another main part of the plot.
-The language used in this passage is all very strong and passionate. When I read them, I felt all of the emotion that was built up inside of the character come out with each world. The use of the word "uncontrollable" plays a large roll in showing the importance of this passage, and of Catherine to the story. Until now, besides being a little angry, Healthcliff always seemed to have control over everything. The lines about the spectre show how the nature and weather in Wuthering Heights represent the storm that is occuring within Heathcliff, and how this issue places a dark cloud over everyone involved.
He got onto the bed, and wrenched open the lattice, bursting, as he pulled at it, into an uncontrollable passion of tears. "Come in!come in!" he sobbed. "Cathy, do come. Oh, do - once more! Oh! my heart's darling! hear me this time, Catherine, at last!"
The spectre showed a spectre's ordinary caprice: it gave no sign of being, but the snow and wind whirled wildly through, even reaching my station, and blowing out the light.
-I think this passage is significant because it shows the depth of Heathcliff's character and the reason why he is so cold. This passage shows the reader that Healthcliff has a conflict to solve within himself - one that he has been battling for quite a while. This also introduces Catherine as another main part of the plot.
-The language used in this passage is all very strong and passionate. When I read them, I felt all of the emotion that was built up inside of the character come out with each world. The use of the word "uncontrollable" plays a large roll in showing the importance of this passage, and of Catherine to the story. Until now, besides being a little angry, Healthcliff always seemed to have control over everything. The lines about the spectre show how the nature and weather in Wuthering Heights represent the storm that is occuring within Heathcliff, and how this issue places a dark cloud over everyone involved.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Heights 1
Passage:
"Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr. Helthcliff's dwelling.
'Wuthering' being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the
atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather"
-I chose this passage because it introduces the most important aspect of the book- where it got its title. This sets up how the reader first views where the story is going to take place. It is signifcant to the book because the first idea created about the setting is how future events will be seen and interpreted.
-The passage foreshadows what might happen or become the central conflict within the book. The "atmospheric tumult" and "stormy weather" may represent issues that will come about between the main character and Mr. Heathcliff. Also, the diction and syntax of the first sentence make Wuthering Heights more a possesion of Mr. Heathliff, rather than a place where he lives. This creates an idea that there may be something that will come between this, or change this.
"Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr. Helthcliff's dwelling.
'Wuthering' being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the
atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather"
-I chose this passage because it introduces the most important aspect of the book- where it got its title. This sets up how the reader first views where the story is going to take place. It is signifcant to the book because the first idea created about the setting is how future events will be seen and interpreted.
-The passage foreshadows what might happen or become the central conflict within the book. The "atmospheric tumult" and "stormy weather" may represent issues that will come about between the main character and Mr. Heathcliff. Also, the diction and syntax of the first sentence make Wuthering Heights more a possesion of Mr. Heathliff, rather than a place where he lives. This creates an idea that there may be something that will come between this, or change this.
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