I don’t think one can matriculate without having to have read Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte at least one time be it in high school or college. In fact, I believe it was mandatory in my high school to watch the 1939 Hollywood treatment starring Lawrence Olivier in addition to reading the book. Being that I’m on this personal quest to read, and in many cases, re-read the classics, I picked up this torturous novel yet again. I remember it being intense, dark and gut wrenching, but I could not remember why. To be quite honest, I thought it was because of the unrequited passion and love triangle between Heathcliff, Catherine Linton nee Earnshaw, and Edgar Linton. Upon the second or maybe third reading, I realize (at my more advanced age from seventeen years old) that it is because of the savagery visited upon the characters by Heathcliff and, in some cases, every other character in this work of fiction.
In short, Mr. Earnshaw (Catherine’s father) brings home a gypsy waif from the streets of Liverpool to live at their country house, Wuthering Heights, situated amongst the craggy moors of Yorkshire. The master dies leaving Catherine’s brother, Hindley, as heir to the home. Hindley is harsh and cruel to Heathcliff, treating him as a servant. Catherine and Heathcliff form an alliance and deep attachment to each other. However, Catherine does not give into this attachment sensing the low station in life Heathcliff may ultimately settle into. Catherine sets her sights on Edgar Linton of Thrushcross Grange, across the way, with the hopes of a higher station in life. Catherine marries and Heathcliff runs off to amass wealth the means by which is never fully explained. Heathcliff returns to The Heights and Hindley becomes indebted to Heathcliff mortgaging The Heights to Heathcliff. Heathcliff visits Catherine and, out of spite, seduces her sister-in-law, Isabella Linton, into marrying him. With that, Heathcliff levels all of his anger and hate onto Isabella. Isabella eventually leaves The Heights pregnant with Linton Heathcliff and settles in the south of England. Meanwhile, Catherine gives birth to a daughter, Cathy Linton, and dies the same day. After twelve years, Isabella dies and Edgar goes to get Linton Heathcliff (a frail young man). Heathcliff learns of this and sends for the boy to be brought to The Heights. Cathy forms an attachment for her cousin and is despondent in not having the opportunity to explore her friendship with Linton. Approximately, three years later, Cathy eventually learns her cousin is living at The Heights. Heathcliff forces her to marry Linton to exact revenge on Edgar. Edgar, Heathcliff and Linton die. Cathy eventually marries, Hareton, Hindley’s son and peace settles in the family. The village people rumor to see Heathcliff and Catherine haunting the moors and The Heights.
Wuthering Heights is considered by critics to be a masterpiece and fit for a place of honor amongst the classics. The story is multi-layered and told in several points of view originating from a tenant’s journal entry to a story of gossip from the nurse, Nelly, to the re-telling of events from Isabella’s point of view. There are quotes and phrases that are memorable and the brutality leaves a scar on the reader’s psyche. So, in that respect, the fact that this work can invoke such deep feelings would make it a piece to consider. However, I find the Yorkshire servant colloquialism in some dialogue, especially by Joseph (a servant), to be cumbersome to decipher and the constant shifting of points of view to be distracting. I, for one, am a fan of 19th century English literature; yet find this piece to be disjointed. Will I read it again? Maybe in ten yrs or so.
In short, Mr. Earnshaw (Catherine’s father) brings home a gypsy waif from the streets of Liverpool to live at their country house, Wuthering Heights, situated amongst the craggy moors of Yorkshire. The master dies leaving Catherine’s brother, Hindley, as heir to the home. Hindley is harsh and cruel to Heathcliff, treating him as a servant. Catherine and Heathcliff form an alliance and deep attachment to each other. However, Catherine does not give into this attachment sensing the low station in life Heathcliff may ultimately settle into. Catherine sets her sights on Edgar Linton of Thrushcross Grange, across the way, with the hopes of a higher station in life. Catherine marries and Heathcliff runs off to amass wealth the means by which is never fully explained. Heathcliff returns to The Heights and Hindley becomes indebted to Heathcliff mortgaging The Heights to Heathcliff. Heathcliff visits Catherine and, out of spite, seduces her sister-in-law, Isabella Linton, into marrying him. With that, Heathcliff levels all of his anger and hate onto Isabella. Isabella eventually leaves The Heights pregnant with Linton Heathcliff and settles in the south of England. Meanwhile, Catherine gives birth to a daughter, Cathy Linton, and dies the same day. After twelve years, Isabella dies and Edgar goes to get Linton Heathcliff (a frail young man). Heathcliff learns of this and sends for the boy to be brought to The Heights. Cathy forms an attachment for her cousin and is despondent in not having the opportunity to explore her friendship with Linton. Approximately, three years later, Cathy eventually learns her cousin is living at The Heights. Heathcliff forces her to marry Linton to exact revenge on Edgar. Edgar, Heathcliff and Linton die. Cathy eventually marries, Hareton, Hindley’s son and peace settles in the family. The village people rumor to see Heathcliff and Catherine haunting the moors and The Heights.
Wuthering Heights is considered by critics to be a masterpiece and fit for a place of honor amongst the classics. The story is multi-layered and told in several points of view originating from a tenant’s journal entry to a story of gossip from the nurse, Nelly, to the re-telling of events from Isabella’s point of view. There are quotes and phrases that are memorable and the brutality leaves a scar on the reader’s psyche. So, in that respect, the fact that this work can invoke such deep feelings would make it a piece to consider. However, I find the Yorkshire servant colloquialism in some dialogue, especially by Joseph (a servant), to be cumbersome to decipher and the constant shifting of points of view to be distracting. I, for one, am a fan of 19th century English literature; yet find this piece to be disjointed. Will I read it again? Maybe in ten yrs or so.
No comments:
Post a Comment