Wuthering Heights 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 2 nd 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

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 18 th 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

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

Setting Setting (dual settings) – –Northern English county of Yorkshire –Wuthering Heights = family home of the Earnshaws “The Heights” –Thrushcross Grange = family home of the Lintons “The Grange”

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…

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 HeathcliffIsabellaCathyZillahLinton

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

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

Characters The Earnshaw Family HindleyCatherine Heathcliff Hareton

Characters The Linton Family EdgarIsabella m. m. m. m. Catherine Earnshaw Heathcliff Young Catherine m. Linton Young Catherine m. Linton

Characters – cont. Ellen (Nelly) Dean JosephZillahKenneth Mr. Lockwood

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

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

Appeared on the AP Test:

finis

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.

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.

Read: “Early Autumn” p Explain the story’s plot. 2. Which character still seems in love with the other despite the passage of years? Explain what brought you to this conclusion. 3. 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?

Read: “Reader, I Married Him” p What happened to a woman’s property when she married? 2. What was “pin money”? 3. What remorse might you have if your betrothed broke the engagement?

“Reader, I Married Him” p What are the advantages and disadvantages of marital customs like those of Victorian England? 2. What is the difference between the marriage banns and the several types of marriage licenses? 3. Explain the link between marriage and social position. 4. List three changes in wedding etiquette between the Victorian Era and the present.

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.

Book Club: Discussion 2 (11-20) Cathy’s feelings for Heathcliff vs. her feelings for Edgar Dual setting: Contrast WH and TG Revenge theme (examples that convey…) Characterization: young Catherine Characterization: young Catherine & mother Catherine

Book Club: Discussion 3 (21-34) Cathy’s initial treatment of Hareton Themes: – –The nature of love – –Conflict between good and evil Weather (hint…WH and TG…symbolic of…) Differing Points of View: Lockwood  N. Dean  Isabella