Overview of what happens in chapter 4.
- Lockwood asks Nelly for information about Heathcliff/ Wuthering Height’s past.
- She describes the situation of Earnshaw going to Liverpool, Catherine and Hindley asking for fiddle and whip.
- Earnshaw brings back Heathcliff instead.
Symbolism from fiddle and whip?
- Catherine asking for “whip”: symbol of evil/ wanting to seize onto power and control in society (rejecting patriarchy/ societal expectations.)
- Hindley: “fiddle” –> conforming to societal expectations of cultural decorum.
- Juxtaposition: would expect man to ask for whip and woman = fiddle. Characters at WH are far from what would be expected.
How is Heathcliff first described when he is brought back by Earnshaw?
- “gift of God, though dark as if it came from devil.”
- “it” - used throughout –> suggesting low status.
- Gothic element. Battle between good and evil. Will he turn out good/ will he turn out evil??
- “gipsy brat” –> repetition of phrase “gipsy” throughout. Obscure origins/ lack of social status.
- Earnshaw names Heathcliff what he would’ve named son who died. Heathcliff = ghostly substitute for older brother/ rightful heir?
How is Heathcliff presented when he gets what he wants (ch 4) significance of this? How is he presented (compared to Catherine and Hindley, during illness?)
- Calm/ self-contained “staggered immediately” after getting hit by Hindley after asking for better horse.
- Shows Heathcliff’s unwavering ambition, doesn’t waste emotional energy.
- Presented as patient in illness. This is what leads Nelly to like him BUT ALSO draws on this quality to put revenge on others.
- “Strengths” of characters becomes the very thing that leads to their downfall!!
Catherine asks for “whip”, instead she gets Heathcliff, significance of this?
- “whip”: symbol of masuclinity that Catherine requested (masculine figure that will allow her to seize power!)
- It is this seize of power (ie. inheriting the home/ his father’s favouritsm over Heathcliff that Hindley seems worried about!)
Significance of narrator switch from Lockwood to Nelly.
- Bronte warning reader not to be overconfident/ NOT to trust one sole omnisicient narrator.
- Lockwood frames Nelly’s narrative - symbol of patriarhcy, women can only speak within bounds of men.
- Similar to how Bronte even published WH within bounds of men ie. within pseudonym to legitimate her own novel!
How does Hindley treat Heathcliff?
- “vagabond.”
- Forces him to stay with the servants/ out in the stables.
Overview of what happens in chapter 5.
- Hindley sent to college.
- Catherine/ Heathcliff frequently embark on adventures on moors (makes her father upset.)
- Earnshaw dies–> Heathcliff/ Catherine are distraught.
How is Catherine introduced in chapter 5?
- “defying us with a saucy look….turning Joseph’s religious curses into ridicule”: Selfish character/ doesn’t respect Joseph’s religious authority. Wants to live life of passion rather than one filtered through context of religious propriety.
- “commanding”: like male authority figure.
- But… “sweet smile.”
How is there clear contradiction within Catherine’s character? How does Bronte present childhood (more specifically, Catherine’s?)
- Innocence when sad passes, sobbing but somehwat devillish (rejecting religious norms.)
- “Romantic” theme of child’s natural vivacity being restricted by society.
- Contradiction: makes novel morally ambigious, allowing reader to decide for themselves.
What different kinds of spirituality does Bronte present?
- Joseph’s stern religious dogma, asking why children are upset that Earnshaw died when he will go to heaven VS Catherine/ Heathcliff’s spiritual expression: Nelly says “no parson would’ve imagined heaven as they did.” Own interpretation of religion.
Overview of chapter 6 of Wuthering Heights.
- Hindley = owns WH.
- His wife = sick.
- Hindley forces Heathcliff to do labour/ stay with the servants.
- Catherine/ Heathcliff go out on moors and see Isobella/ Edgar through window at TG.
- Catherine = bitten by dog, stays there until she is better/ Heathcliff denied entrance.
How is appearance of TG described in chapter 6 when Heathcliff and Catherine look through the window?
- “pure white”: purity. “thought ourselves in heaven” unlike WH/ modern also!
- “shower of glass drops hanging in silver chains.”: wealth/ prosperity.
- “carpets covered with crimson.” Alliterative “C”, illustrated SHOCK Catherine + Heathcliff feel on seeing this “heaven.”
Context as to why Catherine’s behaviour is very courageous after she gets bitten by the dog.
- Bronte herself was also fearless in face on pain. Placed red-hot iron on her wounds to soothe them.
How have many critics described WH vs Thrushcross Grange?
- Nature vs culture.
- Metaphysical oppositions.
- However, you still see violence at The Grange (from dog biting Catherine/ arguing between Edgar and Isobella.) Everyone has capacity for violence.
How have many critics described Catherine’s attack by dog at TG in chapter 6?
- Societal expectations seizing control of Catherine as a woman ie. her being forced into world she doesn’t want to be a part of.
- Her period, can no longer be free “half-savage, hardy and free.”
How does Heathcliff view Edgar’s position at The Grange? Context?
- Says he would never exchange his condition for Edgar’s not when he can fulfil his wish of: “painting the house-front with Hindley’s blood” and killing Joseph.
- Rejecting strict religious norms, embracing natural spirituality.
- Many critics have said Bronte’s knew work of Shakespeare almost as good as bible, connection between blood and revenge (motif throughout), just like in Macbeth!
How does Mrs Linton describe Catherine’s actions in chapter 6? What does she try to do after Catherine has been bitten?
- “scouring country with a gipsy.” Repetition: viewing Heathcliff as socially inferior (due to illegitimate nature.)
- “combed her beautiful hair”: trying to make her respectable woman/ infantalising Catherine!
Context of Mr Earnshaw bringing Heathcliff back from Liverpool.
- Thousands of migrants in Liverpool due to Irish famine at Bronte time.
