What do you think about this section of Wuthering Heights (ch. 11-24)? What's interesting? Confusing? Annoying?
10 comments:
Anonymous
said...
First off this was so long but really interesting. It had a lot of things going on. I really found that this part of the book was a sort of building up period. Heathcliff has just come back in the beginning and he has a air about him that states he is "up to something". He comes back and he calls on Hindley (and old score to settle?)plus he first comes to see Catherine. It is like he wants her to see what he has become. This upright, educated, almost proud young gentlemen. Heathcliff is no longer the vagabond everyone thought him to be. This is where I think the real pace of the story lies.
I thought this section was a little confusing, and it was very sad. Just about everyone was affected by Catherines death. I also thought it was ironic, in how the second generation was so much like the first, and they were just as entwined with eachother. I didn't like Linton though. I found him whiney, spoiled and just annoying. I dont understand how Cathy could love him. I felt bad for Hareton though, and how no one really likes him, and the way he grew up was horrible. He needs someone to love him. Heathcliff is still being as mean and dark as ever, and he seems to be orchestrating the whole affair with the second generation. Im very curious to see if his plans work out, and if the second generation will end the same as the first. -kori
There was alot going on during this section so I think I'll focus my response on just one aspect, Cathrine, since I found her the most interesting. It seems that all Catherine wanted was to be with Heathcliff and she never really got that, which is unfortunant since he wanted her as well. When Catherine becomes ill it seems as though this was simply because she could not be with Heathcliff because when he comes to visit she perks up and seems alot better. I also think that Catherine's death was an important factor in the story and i think now the story can develop alot more interestingly. One final thing that i enjoyed about this section was the introduction to Young Catherine. I think she is alot like her mother and as we go further into the story this will become more clear. Overall i think that this was a very interesting section and i almost wanted to read ahead.
Excellent point about orchestrating the affairs and the irritatingly whiny nature of Linton, Kori.
I find it interesting that Catherine was able to almost will herself to death and how so many of the next generation of characters have strong- at times exaggerated traits of their parents- while others are almost nothing like them at all.
I feel that Heathcliff has created Hareton in his own image which brings Hareton obvious weaknesses, but also strengths.
I was also shocked by so much of the violence in this section- Heathcliff hanging Isabella's dog and Heathcliff wrestling away the pistol-knofe and shooting Hindley's hand, for starters.
I found this section to be extremely confusing. However, I think alot is revealed about Holdens character and alot is revealed about how the plot will be advanced throughout the remainded of the book Justin L
Honestly, the most confusing thing for me has been keeping all these characters and their traits and histories straight. I'll be reading along and see a name and have to stop and process who that is. However, that confusion is sparked from what makes the book truly interesting, the multiple layers of characters, events and places. Though it is a challenge to read, the multiple levels make it intriguing. While my least favorite thing is definitely the darkness and pain that surrounds the characters in this book, my favorite part of this section was Catherine's death - weird as that maybe - because it truly showed the redeeming side of Heathcliff and showed his motives for his actions. While Heathcliff is my least favorite character in the book, that one scene where he and Catherine sat together as she was dying, planted a seed of hope that maybe he was a decent person (a hope quickly dispelled by his subsequent actions). While that scene made me love Heathcliff for a short time, I quickly began to hate him even more than before. I know we argued about his motives and why he is so incredibly evil, but that honestly does not justify all the things he does. He is a very screwed up individual to use violence and take revenge for any and everything. I don't know how he thinks Catherine's spirit will love him more if he punishes everyone around him, including those she loved and even gave life to! Heathcliff's motives and just his character in general are very "out there" in terms of tortured soul. His character was most disturbing, annoying, and confusing for me. - Victoria
I was not expecting to like this book when I was only a few chapters in, but since Mrs. Dean has been telling her story, it has all become very interesting. I think what I like the most is the parallels between this generation and the previous one. I would say that Hareton has stepped into the archetype of Heathcliff, Cathy into the archetype of Catherine, and Linton into the archetype of Edgar. However, these similarities in their characters are not taken to the extremes in which the kids do not have their own characters. Edgar was too wimpy to fight Heathcliff, but he was never as whiney Linton is. Also, I can sometimes see other 'first-generation characters' in the kids. For instance, I said Linton was most like Edgar, but his life story shares some similarities with Heathcliff. He was not born at the Heights or the Grange, the head of the household forces the servants to give Linton whatever he wants, and, though Linton has Heathcliff as a last name, the fact that his first name is Linton when that was the last name of others reminds me of the way that Heathcliff only has a single name. The fact that the next generation can mimick the first despite the fact that their actual personalities don't match up perfectly portrays this powerful feeling that things will never change at the Heights/Grange.
I also enjoyed the fact I found it impossible to like any of the characters, yet I could empathize with all of them. Despite Heathcliff's flaws, how can you not feel bad for him when Catherine dies? These characters are complex, yet nothing they do seems out of place. I would normally think it weird that Heathcliff is trying to give Linto everything even though he hates him, but after reading the book up to that point and learning about Heathcliff, that is exactly what I would expect him to do.
This book is crazy, in both a good and a bad way. I really like the complexities of the plot. It's almost like watching a soap opera, but you don't feel guilty afterward. It's a really fun to try and keep straight who loves who.
What I really don't like about this book is how hard it is to keep all the characters straight. They have all the characters with the same last names, who they often refer to by their last names, there are two Catherines and Heathcliff's son's name is Linton, like the last name of Edgar. I understand that Bronte had a reason behind being so confusing, but I wish she could have found some other way to express her symbolism that was easier for the reader. ~Alyssa
I'd have to agree with everyone on this, especially Alyssa, that keeping the names straight practically interfere with understanding the novel. Especially since it was a very very long section, it was hard to step back and think about which character was who without wasting time. Maybe Bronte is partially making a statement that these characters "transcend" the boundaries of generations, like how Kori said "it was ironic, in how the second generation was so much like the first, and they were just as entwined with each other." I'm not really sure what to make of Catherine and Heathcliff's relationship at this point. On the one hand, they are sooooo romantic with the whole "unity" thing (haha). But at the same time, its like, guys, just admit that you are in love and stop fighting, because its soooo frustrating! It sorta reminds me of The Notebook a little bit.
10 comments:
First off this was so long but really interesting. It had a lot of things going on. I really found that this part of the book was a sort of building up period. Heathcliff has just come back in the beginning and he has a air about him that states he is "up to something". He comes back and he calls on Hindley (and old score to settle?)plus he first comes to see Catherine. It is like he wants her to see what he has become. This upright, educated, almost proud young gentlemen. Heathcliff is no longer the vagabond everyone thought him to be. This is where I think the real pace of the story lies.
Kate
I thought this section was a little confusing, and it was very sad. Just about everyone was affected by Catherines death. I also thought it was ironic, in how the second generation was so much like the first, and they were just as entwined with eachother. I didn't like Linton though. I found him whiney, spoiled and just annoying. I dont understand how Cathy could love him. I felt bad for Hareton though, and how no one really likes him, and the way he grew up was horrible. He needs someone to love him. Heathcliff is still being as mean and dark as ever, and he seems to be orchestrating the whole affair with the second generation. Im very curious to see if his plans work out, and if the second generation will end the same as the first.
-kori
There was alot going on during this section so I think I'll focus my response on just one aspect, Cathrine, since I found her the most interesting. It seems that all Catherine wanted was to be with Heathcliff and she never really got that, which is unfortunant since he wanted her as well. When Catherine becomes ill it seems as though this was simply because she could not be with Heathcliff because when he comes to visit she perks up and seems alot better. I also think that Catherine's death was an important factor in the story and i think now the story can develop alot more interestingly. One final thing that i enjoyed about this section was the introduction to Young Catherine. I think she is alot like her mother and as we go further into the story this will become more clear. Overall i think that this was a very interesting section and i almost wanted to read ahead.
Matthew Fitch
Excellent point about orchestrating the affairs and the irritatingly whiny nature of Linton, Kori.
I find it interesting that Catherine was able to almost will herself to death and how so many of the next generation of characters have strong- at times exaggerated traits of their parents- while others are almost nothing like them at all.
I feel that Heathcliff has created Hareton in his own image which brings Hareton obvious weaknesses, but also strengths.
I was also shocked by so much of the violence in this section- Heathcliff hanging Isabella's dog and Heathcliff wrestling away the pistol-knofe and shooting Hindley's hand, for starters.
_Ms. Coppens
I think the wuthering heights was screwed up cuz it was to confusing.
chris m
I found this section to be extremely confusing. However, I think alot is revealed about Holdens character and alot is revealed about how the plot will be advanced throughout the remainded of the book
Justin L
Honestly, the most confusing thing for me has been keeping all these characters and their traits and histories straight. I'll be reading along and see a name and have to stop and process who that is. However, that confusion is sparked from what makes the book truly interesting, the multiple layers of characters, events and places. Though it is a challenge to read, the multiple levels make it intriguing.
While my least favorite thing is definitely the darkness and pain that surrounds the characters in this book, my favorite part of this section was Catherine's death - weird as that maybe - because it truly showed the redeeming side of Heathcliff and showed his motives for his actions. While Heathcliff is my least favorite character in the book, that one scene where he and Catherine sat together as she was dying, planted a seed of hope that maybe he was a decent person (a hope quickly dispelled by his subsequent actions). While that scene made me love Heathcliff for a short time, I quickly began to hate him even more than before. I know we argued about his motives and why he is so incredibly evil, but that honestly does not justify all the things he does. He is a very screwed up individual to use violence and take revenge for any and everything. I don't know how he thinks Catherine's spirit will love him more if he punishes everyone around him, including those she loved and even gave life to! Heathcliff's motives and just his character in general are very "out there" in terms of tortured soul. His character was most disturbing, annoying, and confusing for me.
- Victoria
I was not expecting to like this book when I was only a few chapters in, but since Mrs. Dean has been telling her story, it has all become very interesting. I think what I like the most is the parallels between this generation and the previous one. I would say that Hareton has stepped into the archetype of Heathcliff, Cathy into the archetype of Catherine, and Linton into the archetype of Edgar. However, these similarities in their characters are not taken to the extremes in which the kids do not have their own characters. Edgar was too wimpy to fight Heathcliff, but he was never as whiney Linton is. Also, I can sometimes see other 'first-generation characters' in the kids. For instance, I said Linton was most like Edgar, but his life story shares some similarities with Heathcliff. He was not born at the Heights or the Grange, the head of the household forces the servants to give Linton whatever he wants, and, though Linton has Heathcliff as a last name, the fact that his first name is Linton when that was the last name of others reminds me of the way that Heathcliff only has a single name. The fact that the next generation can mimick the first despite the fact that their actual personalities don't match up perfectly portrays this powerful feeling that things will never change at the Heights/Grange.
I also enjoyed the fact I found it impossible to like any of the characters, yet I could empathize with all of them. Despite Heathcliff's flaws, how can you not feel bad for him when Catherine dies? These characters are complex, yet nothing they do seems out of place. I would normally think it weird that Heathcliff is trying to give Linto everything even though he hates him, but after reading the book up to that point and learning about Heathcliff, that is exactly what I would expect him to do.
-Drew McGlincy
This book is crazy, in both a good and a bad way. I really like the complexities of the plot. It's almost like watching a soap opera, but you don't feel guilty afterward. It's a really fun to try and keep straight who loves who.
What I really don't like about this book is how hard it is to keep all the characters straight. They have all the characters with the same last names, who they often refer to by their last names, there are two Catherines and Heathcliff's son's name is Linton, like the last name of Edgar. I understand that Bronte had a reason behind being so confusing, but I wish she could have found some other way to express her symbolism that was easier for the reader.
~Alyssa
I'd have to agree with everyone on this, especially Alyssa, that keeping the names straight practically interfere with understanding the novel. Especially since it was a very very long section, it was hard to step back and think about which character was who without wasting time. Maybe Bronte is partially making a statement that these characters "transcend" the boundaries of generations, like how Kori said "it was ironic, in how the second generation was so much like the first, and they were just as entwined with each other."
I'm not really sure what to make of Catherine and Heathcliff's relationship at this point. On the one hand, they are sooooo romantic with the whole "unity" thing (haha). But at the same time, its like, guys, just admit that you are in love and stop fighting, because its soooo frustrating! It sorta reminds me of The Notebook a little bit.
-Sarah
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