1. The novel is told from the perspective from the caretaker of an older house to a man looking to buy this house. The story is about the family that used to live in the house, they were a rich family with a caring father who took in a dirty and grimy orphan named Heathcliff. The father dies soon after bringing him home and the rest of the family is mean to him (with one exception) with includes both physical and mental abuse. The one exception is Cathy, his adopted sister, he eventually falls in love with her and is emotionally destroyed when she marries another man. Cathy dies in childbirth and Heathcliff never leaves the property and is always haunted with guilt about Cathy and hatred for most everyone else.
2. The theme of this novel is how differences in social status, patriarchal discrimination, and abuse can cause bitterness and remorse.
3. The author's tone conveys bitterness and remorse. Throughout the novel she uses her characters to express different emotions.
Ex 1: "You loved me- what right had you to leave me? What right- answer me- for the poor fancy you felt for Linton? Because misery, and degradation, and death, and nothing that God or Satan could inflict would have parted us, you, of your own will did it. I have not broken your heart- you have broken it; and in breaking it, you have broken mine. So much the worse for me that I am strong. Do I want to live? What kind of living will it be when you- Oh, God! Would you like to lie with your soul in the grave?"
Bronte uses Heathcliffe's anger to portray his bitterness.
Ex 2: "'I'm tired with my journey, and I want to go to bed! Where is the maid-servant? Direct me to her, as she won't come to me.'
'We have none,' he answered, 'you must wait on yourself!'
'Where must I sleep, then?' I sobbed..."
Bronte uses this quote to show how social classes can cause discrepancies.
Ex 3: "He took to Heathcliff strangely, believing all he said... and petting him up far above Cathy, who was too mischieveous and wayward for a favourite."
Bronte uses this quote to show the patriarchal differences and how Cathy was portrayed as a weak character throughout the novel.
I like the examples you gave because they are very detailed and the message this book conveys. Is the climax of the book when Cathy passes?
ReplyDeleteGood job Jacob! You gave good examples for the tone. Sounds like an interesting, but possibly difficult read.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that you noticed that the author used his own character to portray his own feelings. Your quotes supported the theme of the novel as your described it perfectly. The only negative thing I can say is that either I'm blind or you didn't say what book you were analyzing.
ReplyDeleteLike Kevin said I didn't catch the book, is this Wuthering Heights though? You did a great job on analyzing the book and I'm quite curious as to what your thoughts on this book are. Overall, through your analysis, I was able to get a gist of the story.
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