Friday, November 26, 2010
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.
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I like usage of imagery. It makes me appreciate the time period and the organic nature of everything. No concrete and stuff like that everywhere. Just land...not that I like the counrty or whatever but i like it in books. I really do appreciate drive trus, the depletion of the ozone layer, etc..
ReplyDeleteThe geographic setting certainly plays a strategic role, as previously mentioned. The unstable aspects of the land and/or environment along with the few asthetically pleasing details relate, at times, perfectly with the events of the novel and even the entrances of certain characters.
ReplyDeleteYes and as a writer, I think that was one of
ReplyDeleteBronte's strategies. Just like in movies how the weather, scenery, etc foreshadow the upcoming events, it is the same in Wuthering Heights.
Nice ideas all around--the idea of an untamed wilderness seems to especially resonate in this novel, and could be tied directly to both Heathcliff's and Catherine's natures.
ReplyDeleteI like it that Bronte only uses a couple of settings in Wuthering Heights because it keeps something symple when the rest of the story is going all over the place.
ReplyDeleteI agree in how the setting is mentioned sparsely. But I'd like to point out how if another setting were present, the story would ultimately take longer and be less interesting. So that of the author's choice in limiting the setting and increasing the conflict is a good move.
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