Wuthering Heights Reading Log

Alex Plager Britten Wuthering Heights Assignment Round 2 Reading Log The twain men in Catherines manner represent nonp aril of many sets of doubles inside the novel. Both of these men contrast champion a nonher, and fight for power, influence, love and wariness in her feel. Because both Edgar and Heathcliff both represent contrasting forces in the novel, they are unable to work together or act amiably towards one another. The mark of each one is to remove the other from Cathys life. After Catherines death, Heathcliff attempts to sneakily remove the lock of Edgars hair enclosed in the locket ab go forth her neck and replace it with his own.In opening the trinket, and casting out its contents, (145) Heathcliff believes that he has won this battle with Edgar. Symbolically, this action represents Heathcliff casting Edgar out of Catherines life and heart, and filling the space with himself. Heathcliff walks out of the room believing that Catherines body will be put to rest with onl y his lock of hair on her, subject matter that he will be with her for the remainder of her physical existence on this world. However, Nelly locomote in and intertwines Edgars hair with Heathcliffs.Both Edgar and Heathcliff live their lives believing that Catherine is holding a lock of only their own hair in her coffin, ventureing that they are the only one who will be with her in death. However, Nellys actions represent the fact that despite the two mens efforts of trying to win Catherine to themselves wholly, even in death, that Catherine holds both of them in her heart, and that incomplete one cannot be completely cast out. As Catherine is discussing the nature of her love for both Edgar and Heathcliff, she reveals a doubling within her personality.She places, Nelly, I am Heathcliff, (70) and continues on to say that any separation between them is impracticable. This revelation reveals a lot regarding their relationship, and how the two of them seem inseparable throughout t he novel. It explains why Catherine allows Heathcliff to repeatedly come back into her life even though the sheer mention of his name perturbs Edgars composure. The double that is Catherine/Heathcliff explains why Heathcliff is constantly a part of Catherines life.For Catherine, Heathcliff is less of a separate person, a unalike entity, but to a greater extent of a projection of her personality. Heathcliff represents the wild, naturalistic aspect of her personality, which has been suppressed by her change into a civil, upper-class person. As such, this suppressed personality returns in waves, exhibited both in her fits, and Heathcliffs unrelenting visits, refusing to be put out like the fire Edgar regards it to be. The reoccurring theme of doubles is at its strongest within chapter 15 as Lockwood begins narrating the explanation to the reader from Nellys perspective.To clarify, the events have already been recounted to Lockwood through Nelly, and now he is narrating the story afte r she has told it to him, through her perspective, She is, on the whole, a very fair narrator, and I dont think I could improve her style (134). Needless to say, the reader is experiencing the story not secondhand, but thirdhand. Also, Nelly has already been revealed to be an unreliable narrator, as well as Lockwood. corporate trust the two is accepted to have a profound effect on the story itself. The register of the story has already had a note of gossip nearly it, especially since Nelly called herself as a gossip (53).Now the he said she said essence of the story takes its strongest form, as we, the readers, are hearing about it through the grapevine. Bronte uses this doubling of narration to emphasize the removal of the reader from the events in the story. The shadow of doubt the novel has been shrouded in is now a level deeper and darker than it has been up to this period of time in the novel. Nellys slanted narration of events, whose memory is blurred by fourth dimensio n, is now coupled with Lockwoods own character flaws of misjudging characters and is subjected to his own bias as he recounts the already recounted tale.Within the novel, the relationships between servants and know are anything but traditional ones. One would expect a servant to respect their master, and keep their tongue in check, however Nelly Dean seems exempt from these expectations, make the reader to question who is the true master and servant within the household. On page 102, Catherine rang the bell till is broke with a twang, however, rather than rushing in as most servants should given the franticness of the bell ringing, Nelly enters leisurely. This singular event provides a plethora of insight into the relationship between master and servant.The reader is able to get laid that, since it is Nelly recounting the story, she would have no knowledge of the events happening in the room prior to her calling unless she was not already within earshot. Therefore, Nelly already knows the nature of the brush going on between Edgar and Nelly, and how it is of importance. Yet still, Nelly leisurely enters the room, flaunting her knowledge that Catherine postulate her on a level beyond that of which a master typically needs a servant, and alike spiting her by deliberately taking longer to arrive.However, during her narration of this scene, the reader can see building sensation within Nelly just within the paragraph this quote is taken from. It is clear that Nellys temper of a saint is strung tight by Catherines senseless, wicked rages (102) And as a result of this emotion that she is not entirely able to control, Nellys narration of this particular scene may be more unreliable than usual, as she might be tempted to exaggerate Catherines sort in order to justify her anger with her to Lockwood more, so that he may agree with her, or so that she may feel that he does.Diction Log 1 Will you say, cardinal years hence, Thats the grave of Catherine Earnshaw. I loved her long ago (137) Synonyms Linton Catherines choice of calling herself Linton reveals much about how she views herself in terms of her indistinguishability. During her time as Catherine Earnshaw, Cathy identifies herself as being Heathcliffs lover, but after her marriage to Edgar, her public identity changes to Catherine Linton, signifying her position as Edgars lover.Telling Heathcliff that her grave will be that of Catherine Earnshaw is telling Heathcliff that she rejects her identity of Catherine Linton, and that she will be his in death, as she should have been in life. The continued musing on her death in this scene foreshadows her impending death, and this line serves to both comfort Heathcliff, and also ignite further heartbreak in regards to her death as Heathcliff both derives pleasure and anguish knowing that Catherine was his, yet was never with her. 2 while her cheeks, at once blanched and livid, assumed the aspect of death.Linton looked terrified. Synonyms Edg ar, her husband In referring to Edgar as Linton, there would normally be ambiguity in doing so because, technically, Catherine is also Linton. But addressing him as solely Linton reflects both Edgars feelings of her not being his anymore and signifies the distance that he feels is growing between the two of them. The reader also knows that Bronte is referring to Edgar because the reader understands that Catherine is not truly a Linton, and not entirely Edgars.Brontes word choice symbolizes a growing emotional distance between Edgar and Catherine, terrifying Edgar not only for the sake of her safety, but also for their relationship. Since Brontes word choice reflects Nellys disposition, it is also made cognise to the reader that Nelly sees this growing distance, and development of Catherines character. 3 Thought I hate him as much as ever, he did me a good turn a short time ago that will make my moral sense tender of intermission his neck. (75) Synonyms fond, delicateOf the possi ble synonyms that could replace the word tender in this context, tender conveys the meaning of what Edgar is saying best. Edgar is saying to Catherine that despite his anger towards Heathcliff, he is refraining from retaliating violently because his conscience prevents him from doing so because he feels that he owes Heathcliff a favor. The word tender, while typically used to describe something fragile that tends to break, is effective because it contrasts sharply with the action of breaking his neck. 4 In fact, that his health and strength were being sacrificed to preserve a mere ruin of humanity, he know no limits in gratitude and joy when Catherines life was declared out of danger and hour after hour her would sit beside her, tracing the gradual return to bodily health, and flattering his too optimistic hopes with the partiality that her mind would settle back to its right balance also, and she would soon be entirely herself. (115) Synonyms happy, optimisticIf one of the list ed synonyms were used in lieu of sanguine the only meaning to the sentence would be the implication and foreshadowing made by Nelly that Edgar had his hopes too high, and that Catherine would never truly return to health. However, the use of sanguine adds a certain connotation to the quotation. While sanguine has no direct link to blood, through definition or synonymously, the root of it is linked to blood. Brontes use of this word in particular serves five-fold purposes.The first further emphasizes how high Edgars hopes are for Catherines healing. They are so strong they can be smelt, and tasted and have substance to them, the qualities of which are all likened to blood. Also, describing these hopes as sanguine serves to illustrate to the reader how much effort Edgar has put into helping Catherine, conveying that he has almost literally put blood, sweat, and tears into their relationship and her well-being. 5 Ah you are come, are you, Edgar Linton? she said, with angry animation. (110) Synonyms liveliness, fervor This quote is taken from a scene in which Catherine is having one of her frequent fits. The verb animate is traditionally used to describe an non-living object coming into motion. During her fits, Catherine is often likened to an inanimate object due to her habit of fainting, or becoming immobile. During this particular one, she had been relatively stoic, limp, and puppet like, as she had been starving herself and have the appearance _or_ semblanceed worn (110).As such, the use of the word animation most properly fits the prior depictions of her within the scene as it fits the theme of her descriptions. 6 Isabella and he had had an hours interview, during which he tried to molest from her some idea of proper horror for Heathcliffs advances but he could make nothing of her evasive replies, and was obliged to close the examination unsatisfactorily, adding, however, that if she were so insane as to encourage that queasy suitor, it would dissolve all bonds of relationship between herself and him. (103) Synonyms conversation, audience, exchange The use of the word interview enhances the meaning of the quote in that it provides a certain depiction of the exchange between Edgar and Isabella. Brontes choice of the word interview conveys that it was not an amicable, two-sided conversation. While the interaction may not quite have been an interrogation, it was more aggressive than a mutual conversation would have been, as Edgar was obviously distressed regarding Heathcliffs relationship with her. Isabella and he had had an hours interview, during which he tried to elicit from her some sentiment of proper horror for Heathcliffs advances but he could make nothing of her evasive replies, and was obliged to close the examination unsatisfactorily, adding, however, that if she were so insane as to encourage that worthless suitor, it would dissolve all bonds of relationship between herself and him. (103) Synonyms inquiry, interrogation Continuing from the same quote as above, Nelly continues to reveal the nature of the exchange between Isabella and Edgar.Choosing to regard it as an examination furthers the imagery of an uncomfortable interaction between siblings. The use of the word examination is more effective than inquiry or interrogation would be because of the tone that Bronte gives the nature of the conversation between them. Edgar is not an overly aggressive individual, and to interrogate his sister would be out of character for him. However, an examination suits Edgars passivity because it conjures an image of a jealous lover trying to elicit information from their significant other, which is much like what Edgar is trying to do. 8 Cheer up, you shant be hurtYour type is not a lamb, its a sucking leveret. (99) Synonyms mouse, turtle I opted not to choose direct synonyms for leveret, which are rabbit, and hare, because these words do not change the nature of Catherines insult. Brontes choice of words here is likely due in large part to colloquialism of the time. However, the nature of Catherines insult is rooted more in the fact that she is belittling Edgar as having the courage of a small animal more prone to flight, rather than to fight. Catherine chooses to call Edgar a leveret because of his predisposition to avoid and run from conflict, rather han to face it directly. A turtle retreats into its shell, whereas a rabbit will tuck its tail and run, exactly like Catherine is accusing Edgar of doing in this quote. This insult is particularly effect because Catherine is calling Edgars mankind into question, which is not only uncharacteristic of a woman of the time, but she is also doing so in front of Heathcliff, effectively making a direct contest to Edgar on both her and Heathcliffs behalf. Literary Criticism Will you forget mewill you be happy when I am in the earth? Will you say, twenty years hence, Thats the grave of Catherine Earnshaw.I loved her long ago, and was wretched to lose her but it is past. (137) The goal of psychoanalysis is to interpret a characters (un)conscious desires by identifying Freudian concepts. An example of one of these such concepts is a Freudian slip, and one lies within the quote. Consciously or not, Catherine has called herself Catherine Earnshaw, despite her status as Edgars wife, making her both legally and socially known as Catherine Linton. However, she has revealed in this Freudian slip that she does not emotionally identify herself as Catherine Linton, but as an Earnshaw.This is important because much of the conflict up to this point has stemmed from Heathcliffs anger at Edgar taking Catherine from him, and in his struggle to win her back from him. Within this quote, Catherine subtly tells Heathcliff that she will die Catherine Earnshaw, meaning that she is rejecting the Linton name, thus at long last meaning that emotionally, she is Heathcliffs. Well, if I cannot keep Heathcliff for my friend, if Edgar will be mean an d jealous, Ill try to break their hearts by breaking my own.That will be a proceed way of finishing all, when I am pushed to extremity (101) Within this scene, Catherine is venting to Nelly regarding her feelings regarding the conflict between Heathcliff and Edgar. In the quote, it is visible that Catherine is exhausted by their constant fighting, and the doorbell that it has been taking on her. Out of context, the claim the Catherine makes concerning her ability to break their hearts seems conceited, however, from a feminist perspective, this statement is substantial.For a novel written in this time, it would be rather uncommon for a woman to be depicted as having power over a man, much less two of them. While Catherine does appear to be selfish, and conceited in this quote, she is depicted as essentially having control over the two men, in that she has the ability to finish all, establishing the force that Catherine is able to exert in both of the relationships. In relation to the meaning of the work as a whole, this quote associates the ideas of emotional exile and acceptance. 33 Revenge consumes wholly disorder prevents transcendence