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?