How is Catherine described after her stay at TG?
- “fingers wonderfully whitened by doing nothing”
- Juxtaposition between Heathcliff’s manual labour (forced by Hindley) and Catherine’s priveledge (Heathcliff’s hands described as dirty.)
- Symbolically represents her civilisation and status.
What is Catherine’s reaction to Heathcliff wanting to hug her in her dress? Significance of this?
- Doesn’t want her dress to be stained/ damaged by Heathcliff’s dirtiness, ie doesn’t want dress to be sacrificed for Heathcliff.
- Dress = symbol of social status and wealth.
- Dress creates barrier between the pair (preventing them from hugging), just like social class and wealth will wedge a barrier between them.
What colour is often associated with Heathcliff? Significance?
- “Black”
- Connoting to his devillish attributes.
How is religion and freedom presented in chapter 7? Context of Bronte herself linked to religion?
- Nuanced views of religion.
- Joseph’s “private prayer” vs Nelly’s “singing carols.” CONTRASTED.
- Further contrasted by Heathcliff/ childrens’ free-spirited life who returns to moors “to a beter spirit.”
- Bronte views on religion = Unorthodox in Victorian society. Wasn’t the convential idea of Christian, more liberal.
- Was the daughter of a parson however, her father believed in freedom for his children - including intellectual freedom.
How does Heathcliff describe to Nelly what he wishes to look like for Catherine (chapter 7?) What does Nelly suggest Heathcliff can be after changing his appearance?
- “light hair and fair skin” like Edgar.
- Idea that only white people could be succesful, on so many levels.
- Heathcliff can be: son of “Emperor of China” OR “Indian Queen.”
- Ambiguity around Heathcliff’s background.
How does Hindley speak to Heathcliff in chapter 7, what does he call him?
- “vagabond” –> beggars that had no fixed home; suggesting that Heathcliff isn’t part of the family
- Constantly beating Heathcliff: leaving Heathcliff “breathless.”
What does Heathcliff say about his revenge against Hindley in chapter 7? How is he presented?
- “two elbows on his knees, in dumb meditation.” Scheming/ planning. Internal struggle manifesting itself in his physicality.
- Speaks with exclamations: very emotionally passionate, will stop at nothing until succeeded in his revenge.
- Revenge completely overwhelms his physche.
Significance of the bed Heathcliff retires to after he is hurt by Catherine’s words to him.
- Same bed that Lockwood is housed in in chapter 3.
- Here too, its panels and windows form a series of boundaries behind which secrets can be hidden.
How is Catherine presented as very violent (in chapter 8?)
- Pinching Nelly/ slapping Edgar.
How is Hindley described beginning of chapter 9?
Pages 58 and 59
- “misguided man”: religious imagery.
- “blasphemer”: blaming God for Frances’ death.
What reasons does Catherine give for marrying Edgar?
ch.9
- “he’s handsome, young and cheerful.” Expectations for husband in Victorian era. Materialistic view –> Catherine’s immaturity.
How does Catherine describe her love for Heathcliff vs her love for Edgar, using natural imagery?
ch.9
- Heathcliff: like that of the “eternal rocks.” Heathcliff is the foundations for Catherine, makes her feel stable.
- Edgar: “winter changes trees”; her love for Edgar is seasonal.
- They are as different from each other as “moonbeam from lighning or frost from fire.” Clashing elemental forces.
Quote that shows Catherine being rejected by religion.
ch.9
“angels were so angry they flung me out… on the top of WH.”
Different reasons Catherine choses not to marry Heathcliff.
ch.9
- Says it would “degrade” her, bring her down to a low social status.
- They should be “beggars.”
- “whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” Views Heathcliff to be a part of herself, not a romantic interest.
How is the weather described by Bronte when Catherine is searching for Heathcliff in chapter 9?
ch.9
- “growling thunder.”
- Weather trying to separate her from Heathcliff but Catherine will not give in.
How is Heathcliff’s appearance described when he returns to WH?
10
- “half-civilised ferocity”: appearance suggesting he is well-mannered but still has wild nature to him.
- “eyes full of black fire” contrasing Edgar’s “vacant blue eyes.”
How does Catherine respond to Heathcliff’s return?
10
- “darts” towards him “flew up, breathless and wild.”
- Almost like the pair are drawn together by natural impulse, link to Romanticism enhancing natural world/ relationships.
How does Heathcliff describe his condition to Nelly?
ch.10
- Says that he “is in hell” until she lets Catherine know that he has arrived.
- Repeated towards end of novel, concept of Heathcliff being in hell.
How is Isobella Linton described in appearance?
- “whitness of her skin.”
- “dainty elegance.”
- “dove”: her innocence.
- This is how the Lintons tried to make Catherine after getting bitten by the dog, but contrast between the characters is that Catherine will always be internally wild.
After Catherine is re-united with Heathcliff, how does she describe her feelings?
- “reconciled me to God and humanity.”
- “I’m an angel.”
- Religious imagery.
In terms of plants, description of Heathcliff vs Edgar?
- Heathcliff: “ thorn.”
- Edgar: “honeysuckle” - weak plant.
How are Catherine’s clothes described after she returns from Thrushcross Grange?
- “converted to a stranger by her grand dress.”
- No longer able to ramble on moors with Heathcliff, would find it difficult to move around.
What does Heathcliff say he intended to do when separated from Catherine by glass?
- “intended on shattering the great glass panes into a million fragments.”
- “glass”: easy to see through the classes but crossing them is difficult.
- Heathcliff anger seen through hyperbole “million fragments.”
