Discussion Questions
1. To what extent do you think the setting of the novel contributes to, or informs, what takes place? Do you think the moors are a character in their own right? How do you interpret Bronte's view of nature and the landscape?
2. Discuss Emily Bronte's careful attention to a rigid timeline and the role of the novel as a sober historical document. How is this significant, particularly in light of the turbulent action within? What other contrasts within the novel strike you, and why? How are these contrasts important, and how do they play out in the novel?
3. Do you think the novel is a tale of redemption, despair, or both? Discuss the novel's meaning to you. Do you think the novel's moral content dictates one choice over the other?
4. Do you think Bronte succeeds in creating three-dimensional figures in
Heathcliff and Cathy, particularly given their larger-than-life metaphysical passion? Why or why not?
5. Discuss Bronte's use of twos: Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange; two families, each with two children; two couples (Catherine and Edgar, and Heathcliff and Isabella); two narrators; the doubling-up of names. What is Bronte's intention here? Discuss.
6. How do Mr. Lockwood and Nelly Dean influence the story as narrators? Do you think they are completely reliable observers? What does Bronte want us to believe?
7. Discuss the role of women in Wuthering Heights. Is their depiction typical of Bronte's time, or not? Do you think Bronte's characterizations of women mark her as a pioneer ahead of her time or not?
8. Who or what does Heathcliff represent in the novel? Is he a force of evil or a victim of it? How important is the role of class in the novel, particularly as it relates to Heathcliff and his life?
I like the haircut Mr. Pellerin
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ReplyDeleteBack in this time period, Catherine’s expectations are completely unrealistic. The novel is written during the Victorian era where the role of women in relation to marriage was that they were to be obedient, disciplined and faithful to their husbands. Catherine doesn’t exactly follow these “rules”. She married Edgar mostly for his money and social benefits and wasn’t exactly obedient or disciplined. While she was married to Edgar she wasn’t very loyal. When Heathcliff comes around she pays less attention to Edgar and more attention to Heathcliff. In this novel, I feel like Catherine and Heathcliff represent rebellion and doing what’s not supposed to be done. When with Heathcliff she says, “I wish I were a girl again, half-savage and hardy, and free.” meaning that she wishes she could still run around free with Heathcliff and have no responsibilities. They rebel against Hindley and popular religious beliefs in their time. When talking about her feeling for Heathcliff and Edgar she says “ more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Linton’s is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire.” It’s like Catherine and Heathcliff were meant to be together but she married Edgar for his money and benefits. During the novel, Catherine still remains married to Edgar but seems more attached and attracted to Heathcliff. She says “If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger.” meaning that she could live without Edgar but not without Heathcliff. Throughout the duration of the novel, Catherine seems to not care about the common “rules” and doesn’t fit the standard of an ideal woman during there time. I am glad that I chose to read this book because while it was confusing I also found it to be very interesting.
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