You're done- the agony, love, wrath, windswept moors, grave digging- whew!
Some ideas to think about, but the response is up to you: What do you think of the end? What struck you as most interesting? Any connections to other texts we've studied?
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10 comments:
WOW!
So, after all the "agony, love, wrath" and other entanglements that gripped this book, the ending was, for me, pretty much perfect, because almost everyone ends up happy, whether in life or death. Charlotte Bronte took the dark, agonizing, and often evil lives of these characters, and created an ending of happiness and hope. She's amazing!
First off we have Catherine and Heathcliff - they end up together in the after life, which is great, because that's what they truly wanted all their lives. I also loved how they haunted Wuthering Heights and the moors around it, because it's just so perfect for them to be scaring other people while being happy themselves. I was also glad that Catherine didn't 'end up' with Edgar, because Edgar deserved some one who loved him so much more than Catherine, and I'm assuming he found some such person in Heaven. I'm pretty sure Edgar was happy as well to see how Young Catherine ended up. Young Catherine and Hareton are definitely my favorite couple in the whole book, because they're the only two who truly bring out the best in each other (as a foil to Catherine and Heathcliff). Edgar's happy because Catherine finally finds and utilizes her good qualities, and because she finds someone to live with and support her. We also see the transformation of Hareton, which is absolutely wonderful. He goes from this dumb, stubborn, country farmer, to an intelligent member of society. That made me SO happy. You also have Nelly going to work for Young Catherine again, another happy ending.
I think one of my favorite parts of this ending, besides all the happiness and peace that comes as the end draws nearer, is the idea of ghosts that is brought up over and over again in the last few pages. The novel even ends with Lockwood wondering how anyone could think there were ghosts when people lie in such quiet earth. The idea of ghosts is interesting because of how many times figures of the past either influence or directly appear in the book. Of course, the book starts with Lockwood being haunted by Catherine's ghost, and Heathcliff lives his life with Catherine constantly over his shoulder, but the dead are also clearly seen through their children and are felt in the reciprocation of their actions. I thought it was interesting for Bronte to end the book with Lockwood asserting that the dead slept quietly, when he himself knows it is not true. Perhaps, it was solely a metaphor to say that all is at peace now, and everyone is happy. Or possibly Bronte was trying to point out that those who knew or experienced the story were unafraid and unaffected by the influence and appearance of the dead.
What ever the intention, the novel was beautifully tied together, with the second generation acting out the positive and happy endings that the first generation achieved only in death.
-Victoria
The thing that most struck me at the end was Catherine and Hareton getting together. In theory, this could be a really sweet relationship where the reader is made to feel happy that Catherine has finally stopped being so rude to Hareton. The situation has the potential to be like some 90's high school movie, where the loser guy finally makes the cheerleader girl see how great he is. But at least for me, if this was Bronte's aim, I am not convinced. I just feel like it was too rushed, and that this little affection at the end doesn't make up for how poorly Catherine treated Linton for all those years before. Linton shouldn't be won over so easily.
On another topic...In general, a quote that really stuck out to me was this from Catherine, "'I know he has a bad nature,' said Catherine, 'he's your son. But I'm glad I've a better, to forgive it, and I know he loves me, and for that reason I love him. Mr. Heathcliff, you have nobody to love you, and, however miserable you make us, we shall still have the revenge of thinking that your creulty arises from your greater misery! You are miserable, are you not? Lonely, like the devil, and envious like him? Nobody loves you--nobody will cry for you when you die! I wouldn't be you!'" (274-275)(sorry that was reallly long).
A few things I got out of that-- first, I think the most profound point Catherine makes is "however miserable you make us, we shall still have the revenge of thinking that your creulty arises from your greater misery." Also, I feel like this quote mirrors what Heathcliff said to elder-Catherine years before, but now it's flip-flopped, with young Catherine as the reincarnation of her mother. Heathcliff said, "'You teach me how cruel you've been--cruel and false. Why did you despise me? Why did you betray your own heart, Cathy? I have not one word of comfort. You deserve this. You have killed yourself. Yes, you may kiss me, and cry, and wring out my kisses and tears; they'll blight you--they'll damn you. You loved me--then what right had you to leave me?'" (156). Finally, it seems like in the end, in Chapter 33, Heathcliff has given up his want to get revenge on young Catherine and Linton, as he says to Nelly. Like I was thinking with the 2 connecting quotes, Nelly says that maybe the reminders of old Catherine in her daughter have changed Heathcliff.
-Sarah
I definetly agree with Sarah that the end was too rushed. But everything in Wuthering Heights seems to be rushed. Catherine dies at a very young age and it seems that the characters have a very short time to accomplish anything. I feel that towards the end Heathcliff became obsessed in taking revenge on Hindley and intertangling his life with the life of Catherine. In a way he will always be with her. He told her to haunt him. I feel like this is really important because it shows the deep connections between these characters even after death. I did really like the end though because so many books dont end up happy and in this case it was so great that it did, no matter how fast it happened. I totally agree with Victoria's point about young catherine and hareton.
I really like the point about ghosts. It futher emphasizes long lasting relationships and deep connections that Emily Bronte creates. It is also such a difference between the landscape that she creates and the happiness that is created in the end. This book really lived up to the hopes that i created!!!!!!
Kate
I think this was a fairly good ending. It left me feeling good, even though most of the major characters ended up dead. I do agree that it was slightly rushed, but as Kaitlyn mentioned, that's kind of how the entire book went. All in all, it seemed to be a very befitting ending for this story.
My favorite part about this end was how it ended kind of where it started. What I mean, is that the whole story started with the childhoods of Catherine and Heathcliff, and how they were so connected. The story ends with everyone dead except for young Catherine and Hareton, who are, arguably reincarnations of older Catherine and Heathcliff. It is almost as if you expect a very similar pattern to ensue, hinting towards and endless cycle that could very well be continuing on to this day.
~Alyssa
I think this was a fairly good ending. It left me feeling good, even though most of the major characters ended up dead. I do agree that it was slightly rushed, but as Kaitlyn mentioned, that's kind of how the entire book went. All in all, it seemed to be a very befitting ending for this story.
My favorite part about this end was how it ended kind of where it started. What I mean, is that the whole story started with the childhoods of Catherine and Heathcliff, and how they were so connected. The story ends with everyone dead except for young Catherine and Hareton, who are, arguably reincarnations of older Catherine and Heathcliff. It is almost as if you expect a very similar pattern to ensue, hinting towards and endless cycle that could very well be continuing on to this day.
~Alyssa
I'm really glad that there was a happy ending. As Bronte's book lacked so much happiness before the end I was surprised to see peace restored to Wuthering Heights.
Another piece of the end that didn't quite fit with my expectations at the beggining of the book is that Lockwood never really had a role in the story. Before Lockwood met Mrs. Dean, I think we were led to believe that the story would be about him. Then again, when Nelly accuses Lockwood of being in love with Cathy, we think that he will have a role in the story. As it turned out though, Lockwood's only role was to act as the reader. I suspect that if I read the book again I would find that Lockwood's feeling's would mirror mine. Cathy was my favorite character and Lockwood fell in love with her right? I feel like it took very skilled writing to allow Wuthering Heights to bo so dramatic and yet not be cheesy, and the tecnique of using Lockwood was one of the ways Bronte pulled it off.
-Drew McGlincy
Alrighty- so first I wanted to respond to a few things other people said- and I just want to say how weird it was reading some of the posts because I could tell who it was before I read the name- like when Victoria says “that’s great” anyways…
Victoria- I really like how you emphasized how happy everyone is in the end- how they end up with the right people. You say you think Edgar finds some one in heaven- which is sweet ill admit- but I think edgar was and will always be a loner. Every time something difficult arose- like when Catherine sr was sick- he escapes to his study/his books. He finds comfort in being by himself- and like you said- by seeing his daughter happy- which she is in the end. So I agree that he had a happy ending also, but I just feel like he didn’t need someone else like the others. But Do you think Linton finds a whiney girl in heaven?
Sarah/Alyssa/kate- I think the story may have only appeared rushed to us because you have to remember Nelly is telling only the highlights of the story. She wasn’t going to tell lockwood every second of what happened when he was gone- only what applied to the story/what she knew happened.
And sarah- I love the first quote you chose- its flagged in my notes as well- it really reflects the romantic values/themes of the novel. I really like how you pointed out the contrasts between what Catherine jr said to heath and what he said to Catherine sr.
After finishing the book- I feel like the main theme was to follow your heart/ don’t let society/status dictate who you love. Catherine let her status and financial stability come before her heart when she chose Edgar over Heathcliff. She lived an unfull life because of this. Heathcliff took his anger/depression out through revenge- forcing Catherine and Linton to marry. Only when everyone accepts who they love is everyone happy- in this way Wuthering heights really reminded me of Pride and Prejudice. Only when Elizabeth and Darcy ignored their prejudice/pride and accepted who they loved for their personalities did they live “happily ever after”
Oh and as drew brought up- Lockwood's role- might i remind everyone that bronte uses the whole story within a story technique which pretty much every other romantic writer does- they did it in rhyme of the ancient mariner (the wedding w/ the mariner as a story teller), Frankenstein (with walton writing letters to his sister), the tempest (with prospero talking to the audience at the end) and others... coincidence much?
I found the ending ot this story very interesting, yet i liked how it fell into place. i still got stuck on the whole idea of how heathcliff was so bent on revenge, and his obsessiveness over catherine became overbearing. i mean i found it both creepy and kind of sweet at the same time when heathcliff had had the side of catheriens coffin removed so when he was burried maybe theyd mingle together in teh earth. its kidn of touching that he still loves her and wants ot be with her so bad, but hes a major creep for being os bsessed enough to dig up her grave, it jstu seems wrong. with that being said, i fel tthe story realyl took a nice turn when young catherine stood up to heathcliff, more so than any other character in the book had. she said
"Mr. Heathcliff YOU have NOBODY to love you; and, however miserable you make us, we shall still have the revenge of thinking that your cruelty arises from your greater misery."
i really loved this because as i read it i was jsut egging catherine on, and was glad she showed him what was what. furthermore, i loved how at the end of the sotry mr lockwood kind of shoved it all in hethcliffs face so to speak, but snubbing himand saying he didnt want ot stay there anymore. i was glad because it seems like, ever sinc eth every beginning of the story, heathcliff had been getting his way int eh msot wrongful of manners, wether being unfair favoritism, being a naughty child who stole an dmiss be haved an d intimidated others, or as a froceful adult who forced the marriage between catherien and linton. either way its clear heahtcliff was constantly unhappy, and int eh end i really dont blame him, but guys gotta move on sometime, otherwise hell spend his time dwelling on teh past, as he did. all in all i enjoyed the book, and was pretty pleased with the way thigns turned out and that in your face sort of attitutde that ended in regards to heathcliff.
My favorite part about the ending was how everything kind of ended up coming full circle. For example, Edgar dies with his last words being to his daughter, just as Mr. Earnshaw had. And then, after he dies, Catherine is free to pursue her love for Linton, and then for Hareton. Hareton also tries to make himself over for her, as Heathcliff had done for her mother. Finally, Heathcliff greatly disapproved of the romance between his "favorite" and his niece, as Mr. Earnshaw had with he and the older Catherine. I just thought all of the parallels were really, really interesting.
Also, Heathcliff's death was perfect. I thought it was very well written, and fit both him and the story perfectly. He was clearly haunted by something--presumably Catherine--as he had been wishing since she died. And though it was definitely creepy and haunting for me as a reader, it was also kind of satisfying to finally see Heathcliff get what he wanted after being so violent and harsh to others for so long. I think the contrast between that behavior and his mental and then physical departure from the rest of the world really made the ending fit into everything else so well.
-Kayleigh
I know its bad english but seriously omg, what a nice ending. Bronte did a great job wrapping up the story, she effectively wrapped up all the loose ends and it was one of those books where you finish the last page and you just have to sit there for a second and think about it all.
My favorite part of the book was definently Heathcliff's death it was perfect. I think it sort of went along with the whole fake sickness thing that we say earlier with Catherine. I love how Heathcliff claims to have seen this heavenly seen as he stood on the hill, and then how he continued to starve himself untill his death was sad but still great. It was also a good ending to the Heathcliff and Catherine relationship. Heathcliff said that he wanted he to haunt him untill he died so that he could still be with her (sorta), well it seems like that was the case. Heathcliff couldnt think of anything but Catherine, which was seen when he was whispering her name, and he chose to die so he could be with her. Also i liked how people had seen Heathcliff and Catherine (maybe) walking around the cemetary. But what i hope happened was that he was really walking with Edgar and they were now tight, but i can only dream of such an ending.
bronte created a completely perfect ending to this book and i can honestly say i wouldnt change anything. bravo bronte
Matthew Fitch
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