Fifth Discussion

Many times an author will give some indication of a future event in a story long before the right combination of literary elements occurs in order for that event to unfold. The foreshadowing is synonymous with the idea of prophecy. In Wuthering Heights one statement that holds the potential to change the course of the novel and may prove true to its nature was given by Heathcliff. Upon his return to Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff swore that he would not "suffer unrevenged" of the cruelty he experienced by the hands of those who wronged him during his childhood (123). This statement essentially starts Heathcliff on a journey to destroy the lives of those around him until he achieves the restitution that he so desired. This statement was a promise of action by a character that may ultimately be fulfilled. Hence, it constitutes the classification of prophecy. I believe that by the story's end, we will find that Heathcliff's words carried some weight.

Are there any other forewarning phrases that anyone noticed going through Wuthering Heights?

3rd Discussion

   Emily Brontë uses a wide variety of personalities in Wuthering Heights in order to construct a novel that fully addresses both ends of the spectrum that is the Human Condition. Four characters that I believe play an important role in the book's events and that have distinct personalities/and or uses are Nelly, Catherine, Heathcliff, and Edgar. 
   One dominant character type in Gothic novels is the heroine. In Wuthering Heights, I believe that that role is filled by Nelly Dean. Nelly's primary importance in the novel is one of a guide. She is used by Brontë as the main narrator and hence most of the orienting, or guiding, of the reader through the changing environment of the book is done by her. From a character/ideal standpoint, Ms. Dean represents the attachment to some rational way of thinking. Amidst passionate characters making sometimes rash decisions, the housekeeper acts in a very predictable way, a very rational and grounded way. The author uses Nelly to "speak rationally" at times when without such a voice, the reader might begin to underestimate the consequences of an action or mindset due to a lack of weighing said consequences against reality (85). 
   I find Catherine Earnshaw important because she represents those flimsy, dramatic qualities that provide for much action in the book. With a character that is impatient, self involved, and that has periodic mood swings existing in the novel, Emily Brontë can continuously provide for much turmoil. Catherine's relationship with Heathcliff spans most of the novel and becomes particularly intriguing to the reader due to the strain that her societal status initially had with Heathcliff's advancement in life, resulting ironically in a love fest between the two.
   Heathcliff, I believe, fills two quite contrary roles in this story, that of the Byronic hero and the obvious villain. Heathcliff's cruel actions, at times, are unsettling to the reader and causes spite but can also be qualified. If one keeps in mind that he was once a "sullen child [accustomed]... to ill-treatment" at the hands of Catherine and Hindley Earnshaw, some leeway  is naturally awarded to Heathcliff (39). This concession allows a strange mixture of understanding and compassion with ire to exist, constituting a Byronic hero. In the same breath, Heathcliff's terrorizing actions towards other members in the book clearly gives him the distinction of the obvious villain. His quest for revenge at the expense of innocent bystanders, spurned from a troubled childhood, effectively fills the role of Byronic hero and villain. 
   The last major character that is also representative of an idea is Edgar Linton. Edgar steals the interests of Catherine Earnshaw away from Heathcliff and unknowingly ignites a feud that will come to engulf all at Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. In order for Edgar to take away Catherine's attention from the lowly, simple Heathcliff, he had to be the opposite. Edgar was the "handsome, rich, young" choice (85). Edgar represents the rewarding, acceptable, and comfortable options in life. His presence is necessary in the book in order for there to be a dramatic clash of socioeconomic statuses and dramatic consequences from that clash.    
 These are just a few characters I thought make an important contribution to Wuthering Heights's plot. Does anyone agree or disagree with the above observations and can we think of any other characters to add to this particular analysis?

Point of View for Wuthering Heights

I think that the point of view in Wuthering Heights is a much needed factor to have for better understanding for the story. Having Mr. Lockwood be the one to tell the story for the vast majority of the book, haunting details are best kept. Since most of the story revolves around him, it is most reasonable. But just as he is the main character, he forms his own unique opinions of the people he interacts with. Such as he makes formidable assumptions about his surroundings, the history, and anticipation of future events.

How would you think the story would be if the point of view was from another character, third person all-knowing, etc.?

4th Discussion

In Wuthering Heights Mr. Lockwood believes that he sees a demon or a ghost although in my opinion it is probably simply a nightmare that he had because of the strange sleeping conditions he was in and the fact that he read the name of the girl that appeared multiple times in trying to fall asleep.

If you have any ideas to what may have caused the hallucination or nightmare please give your opinion!

Concerning the mystery in the book, Heathcliff for me is the most complex. I don't know why but I am most drawn to him. It seems as though he has so many layers and things to share if you pay attention, which many of the characters in this book are not. The men of few words give this book an element of mystery.

Mr. George takes a look at settings within Wuthering Heights

 Identifying the settings in Wuthering Heights requires minimal effort not only because Emily Bronte primarily uses only two locations for the events of the novel but also due to the fact that the task is straight forward, requiring only an explicit statement from the text for clarification. Ms. Bronte quickly establishes one of the primary locations for the novel when she indicates that  Mr. Lockwood, the initial narrator, "[solicited] the occupation of Thrushcross Grange" as a living residence (1). Thrushscross Grange is the manor that Mr. Lockwood rents from a Mr. Heathecliff. His landlord's own abode provides for the final setting in the novel. the building "Wuthering Heights, ... Mr. Heathecliff's dwelling" (2). Symbolically, the "atmospheric tumult" of the land "when exposed in stormy weather" correlates to the kinds of interactions that take place between certain characters, the pace of the novel, and certain of the character's pasts (2). These two locations provide for the geographical bearings of much of the story's events.  

Mr. George's Take on Gothic Literary Construction

    Due to their Gothic classifications, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights share a similar textual construction, iconic of Gothic works. Both novels take place in the past, and consequently, their respective dictions reflect this state of being. Not only are both books set in the past, but the way in which they are documented is also respective of Gothic pieces. Wuthering Heights is made up of excerpts from a journal, just like Frankenstein. This journalized history of one's experiences serves the genre by ultimately providing the reader with a sense of direction amidst the mixture of such contrary elements like mystery and emotional chaos. Having such a documentation of events can give a novel a sense of credibility or practicality; it can become more realistic. By creating situations that can actually take place, the Gothic author makes imparting terror into his or her readers easier. Both of these books also share a common method of storytelling, through multiple narrators. While in Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights a main narrator can be identified, both works utilize other speakers at times. Perhaps Gothic authors utilized this speaking configuration in order to give their audiences a sense of comprehension in respect to the massive breadth of detail that appears in such pieces of literature. In these ways, both Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein share similar textual constructions.  

First Discussion

Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein do share many characteristics stylisticly. The descriptions and sensory details regarding the appearances of those inferior like Frankenstein or the servant at Wuthering Heights are important because they provide insight on how extensive the problems are with each character. This helps the reader understand each character's human condition.

Have you guys read any other Gothic books and can explain how Wuthering Heights relates to them?