Do Now

1
Do Now

• What do you know about the Victorian period in
  England? What images are called to mind when you
  hear the word Victorian?

2
Wuthering Heights

• Emily Brontë

3
Historical Background

• The Victorian Age refers to the period in England
  when Queen Victoria reigned (1837-1901).
• The British Empire had reached its height and
  ruled one quarter of the world.
• During this time, the Industrial Revolution
  created profound economical changes in society.
• England changed from a primarily agricultural
  country to an industrial one, and created a great
  social upheaval.

4
Historical Background

• New class distinctions emerged from the growth of
  industrial production. A new middle class began
  to emerge.
• Upper class and gentry landowners
• Middle class shopkeepers and the merchant
• Low class and the poor factory workers or the
  unemployed
• Rural life was ruled by a strict social
  hierarchy.
• Lords and the aristocracy
• Gentry class
• The Linton family
• Gentleman farmers
• Prosperous enough to maintain lifestyles similar
  to the gentry

5
Emily Brontë

• Born in northern England in 1818
• Daughter of a reverend and his wife
• Reclusive
• Had few friends outside of her family
• However, Brontë was exposed to a microcosm of
  society through her fathers congregation.
• The people in her home of Haworth, Yorkshire were
  characterized as being blunt, passionate, and
  using colorful speech.
• These attitudes made their way into Wuthering
  Heights.
• The novel is an accurate depiction of Yorkshire.

6
Emily Brontë

• Brontës sisters were Charlotte Brontë and Anne
  Brontë.
• Charlotte Jane Eyre (1847)
• Anne Agnes Grey (1847)
• The three published poems under the pseudonyms of
  Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell.
• Brontë tended to her brother Branwell, who was
  dying from alcoholism and drug abuse.
• She caught a severe cold at his funeral, which
  developed into tuberculosis. She died shortly
  after him in 1848.

7
Wuthering Heights

• The novel depicts the dark side of human nature,
  using violence and obsessive love.
• Novel deviated from the norm of the Victorian
  period
• Sinister realism
• Dark overtones
• July 1848 issue of Grahams Magazine vulgar
  depravity and unnatural horrors

8
Wuthering Heights

• Similar more to a Gothic horror
• Ghosts
• Supernatural
• A tortured and dark protagonist
• The novel was met with much criticism when first
  published.
• Characters were classless, rough in nature, and
  angry.
• However, the characters are true-to-life and her
  portrayal of the time period and laws are
  accurate.
• Modern critics place Brontë among the best of
  Victorian writers.
• While her sister Charlotte was more popular
  during the time period in which they lived, Emily
  is now looked at as the more talented of the two.

9
Themes

• Spiritual love vs. superficial love
• Constraint vs. freedom
• Revenge and retribution for past sins
• Impermanence of self and the permanence of
  something larger than self
• Impermanence means temporary or not lasting.

10
Chapters 1-2

• Compare and contrast the characters Heathcliff
  and Lockwood. Does Lockwoods impression of
  Heathcliff change by the time he leaves Wuthering
  Heights?
• Discuss the meaning of the name of Heathcliffs
  home, Wuthering Heights. Does the name reflect
  Heathcliffs personality or the home itself?
• Lockwood appears to be attracted to Cathy, as he
  describes her beauty and flirts with her at the
  end of Chapter 2. Argue whether or not Lockwood
  has genuine feelings for Cathy.

11
Characters

• Lockwood
• Narrator of the novel before Nelly Dean takes
  over
• Heathcliffs tenant at Thrushcross Grange
• Nelly Dean
• Also referred to as Ellen Dean.
• Housekeeper for the Earnshaws
• Grows up serving Catherine and later serves
  Heathcliff
• All characters confide in her.
• Narrates the past action of the story to Lockwood.

12
Characters

• Two Catherines
• One is the mother, the other the daughter.
• Both are called Cathy at different points
  throughout the novel.
• But the daughter is often referred to as Little
  Cathy.

13
Family Tree
Mr. Linton d. 1780
Mrs. Earnshaw d. 1773
Mrs. Linton d. 1780
Mr. Earnshaw d. 1777
Hindley b. 1757 d. 1784
Edgar b. 1762 d. 1801
Heathcliff b. 1764 d. 1802
Isabella b. 1765 d. 1797
Catherine b. 1765 d. 1784
Frances d. 1778
Linton b. 1784 d. 1801
Catherine b. 1784
Hareton b. 1778
14
Chapter 3

• Although Lockwood is a minor character, Brontë
  provides sufficient information for us to develop
  a clear picture of him. Write a brief character
  sketch describing Lockwood, focusing on his
  perceived similarities to Heathcliff.
• In many novels, the setting functions like a
  character without its unique qualities, the
  story wouldnt be the same. Describe the
  Yorkshire countryside, discussing why its
  characteristics are essential to the novel.
• What is revealed about Heathcliff when he hears
  of the ghost? What does his reaction tell you
  about his mental state?

15
Chapters 4-6

• Discuss the difference between the way Mr.
  Earnshaw treats Hindley and Heathcliff. Based on
  your reading of the novel, argue whether or not
  Mr. Earnshaw has any legitimate reasons as to why
  he treats Heathcliff better than he does Hindley.
• Discuss the relationship between Catherine and
  Heathcliff.
• How does Nelly Dean describe Joseph in Chapter 5?

16
Chapter 7

• There is enormous hatred between Hindley and
  Heathcliff. Both boys feel cheated of something
  the other possesses. Which one do you feel has
  the more legitimate complaint? Defend Heathcliff
  or Hindley based on whom you believe has the most
  justification.
• Social class issues have begun to surface in
  recent chapters. Much of Heathcliffs social
  inferiority is due to his swarthy appearance and
  lack of family background. Discuss his treatment
  by the Lintons compared to their behavior toward
  Catherine in this context.

17
Chapter 8

• Discuss Catherines double character. How does
  this affect her relationship with Heathcliff?
• Discuss the theme of the divided self mans
  natural instincts in conflict with societys
  adopted values. Using Edgar and Catherine as
  examples, discuss how these two aspects of human
  nature can or cannot be reconciled.

18
Do Now

• In this chapter, Catherine decides to marry
  Edgar. What does her choice tell you about the
  rules of marriage during the time period?

19
Chapter 9

• Write a character sketch of Edgar Linton,
  delineating his growth from a spoiled, indulged
  child of privilege into a gentleman of honor and
  respect.
• Discuss Catherines decision to marry Edgar. Why
  does she choose to marry Edgar when she is in
  love with Heathcliff?
• Discuss Nellys reaction to Catherines decision
  to marry Edgar.

20
Do Now

• The women in the novel are, in some cases,
  victims of their social class. What was a
  womans role in England or the United States 150
  years ago? What sorts of conflicts do you
  suppose many women experienced? What has changed
  for women since then? What problems or conflicts
  still exist for women? Describe.

21
Chapter 10

• How did Catherine adjust to married life? Do you
  think her periods of depression were simply part
  of the normal ups and downs of life or are there
  special reasons for her feelings?
• Discuss Isabellas attraction to Heathcliff. How
  do Edgar and Catherine react to Isabellas
  feelings for Heathcliff?

22
Do Now

• In this chapter, Catherine vows to be
  self-destructive in order to prove her point to
  others. Have you ever done anything out of spite
  that ended up causing you more problems in the
  long term? As the cliché goes, have you ever cut
  your nose to spite your face?

23
Chapter 11

• Describe Hareton. How has Heathcliff influenced
  Haretons behavior?
• What upsets Nelly when she visits the Heights?
• What physical violence occurs between Edgar and
  Heathcliff? What do their responses show you
  about each of them?
• How does Cathy view her role in her current
  situation?
• Discuss Heathcliffs plan for revenge. How does
  his plan affect Edgar, Catherine, Hindley, and
  Isabella? Why, according to Heathcliff, is
  Catherine spared from his revenge?

24
Chapter 12

• Based on your reading of the novel, argue whether
  Catherine has truly gone insane, or if she acting
  insane for purely manipulative reasons.
• What promise does Catherine make in this chapter?
• Who do you think tried to hang Isabellas dog?

25
Chapter 13

• Both Isabella and Catherine are fish out of
  water, as the cliché goes, in the residences
  into which they married. Discuss how each woman
  responds to an environment which is unnatural to
  her.
• Summarize Isabellas note to Nelly. Why doesnt
  Isabella just leave?

26
Chapters 14-16

• Heathcliff is certain that Catherine loves only
  him. Based on your reading of the novel, argue
  whether or not Catherine has legitimate feelings
  for her husband.
• What does Heathcliff want Nelly to do in Chapter
  14? How does she respond? Do you agree that her
  actions are necessary, as she feels, or do you
  think she should have acted differently?
• What does Heathcliff say about Isabella in
  Chapter 14? Do you feel pity for her at all? Or
  is her situation her own fault, for marrying
  someone she barely knew?

27

• Describe Catherines feelings toward her
  impending death. What does Heathcliff and
  Catherines conversation in Chapter 15 tell the
  reader about their connection?
• Discuss Heathcliffs feelings about the state of
  Catherines soul. Why does Heathcliff want
  Catherines soul to know no rest until he is
  dead? Do you feel he is selfish?

28
Chapter 17

• Are Hindley and Isabella equally victims of
  Heathcliffs scheming? Or did they, in some
  manner, deserve what happened at his hands?
  Using what you know about both of their
  backgrounds, discuss to what extent Brontë wants
  us to pity them.
• While pregnant, Isabella and Catherine never
  mention the fact that they are expecting. What
  significance is there to their combined
  disinterest in motherhood? Referring to both
  Mrs. Earnshaw and Mrs. Linton, discuss how
  Catherine and Isabella were mothered, and discuss
  reasons why motherhood is not regarded as a joy
  for either of them.
• Discuss Nellys contrast of Hindleys and Edgars
  reactions to their circumstances on Page 202.
  How did their different reactions change the
  course of their lives?

29
Chapters 18-19

• Describe Cathy. Do you feel she is more like
  Edgar or Catherine?
• How has Heathcliff treated Hareton over the
  years? How has it affected his development?
  What does it show you about Heathcliffs
  continued rage?
• How do other characters respond to the arrival of
  Linton?
• How does Edgar react to Heathcliffs request for
  Linton? What does it show you about Edgar? How
  do you think he feels about Isabellas actions
  now?

30
Chapter 20

• How long does Linton stay at the Grange? How
  does Heathcliff treat his son? Why do you
  suppose Linton is so unsatisfactory, according to
  his father?
• What reason does Heathcliff give for taking good
  care of Linton? Discuss this in terms of what it
  shows about Heathcliffs mental state and
  obsession.

31
Chapter 21

• Compare Linton to Hareton, focusing on
  Heathcliffs analogy of them as tin to gold
  (240). Both young men are pawns in Heathcliffs
  schemes. Which is the more sympathetic
  character? Why?
• Why is Cathy drawn to Linton? Do you believe she
  is genuinely in love with Linton?

32
Do Now

• In the novel, the characters take dreams and
  their implications very seriously. How seriously
  do you believe in dreams, déjà vu, psychics, and
  the like?

33
Chapters 22-23

• Describe Cathys relationship with her father.
• How is Cathy similar to her mother? How does she
  differ?
• Does Lintons plan to make Cathy feel guilty work
  out? How?

34
Chapters 24-25

• In an earlier scene, Hareton hangs a litter of
  puppies. In Chapter 24, he reacts like a rebuked
  puppy. To what extent is a puppy an apt metaphor
  for Hareton?
• How are the love triangles between
  Hareton-Cathy-Linton and Heathcliff-Catherine-Edga
  r similar? What is the fundamental difference?
• Nelly tells Edgar he shouldnt worry too much
  about Cathy because people who do their duty are
  always finally rewarded (281). Do you agree?
• Do you think it is symbolic that Edgar did not
  visit Catherines grave on Cathys 17th birthday?

35
Chapters 26-27

• Discuss the ways Edgar and Heathcliff treat
  their children.
• At this point in the novel, argue whether or not
  Heathcliff is a redeemable character.
• If Heathcliff truly loved Catherine, why do you
  think he treats Cathy, her daughter, in such a
  horrible way? After seeing the way he treats
  Linton and Hareton, do you think he would treat
  Cathy differently if he, not Edgar, was her
  father?

36
Family Tree
Mr. Linton d. 1780
Mrs. Earnshaw d. 1773
Mrs. Linton d. 1780
Mr. Earnshaw d. 1777
Hindley b. 1757 d. 1784
Edgar b. 1762 d. 1801
Heathcliff b. 1764 d. 1802
Isabella b. 1765 d. 1797
Catherine b. 1765 d. 1784
Frances d. 1778
Linton b. 1784 d. 1801
Catherine b. 1784
Hareton b. 1778
37
Chapters 28-29

• Although it seems Heathcliff has been awarded his
  revenge, Cathy continues to defy him. Give
  examples of Cathys defiance of Heathcliff.
• Explain Heathcliffs obsession with Catherines
  dead body. Argue whether he is insane or is
  determined to be at peace by opening Catherines
  grave.

38
Chapters 30-31

• Write an analysis of Cathy. Argue whether or not
  she is a sympathetic character. Is she willful
  or spoiled?
• Brontë clearly had impressive knowledge of early
  19th century English inheritance laws. Research
  some American inheritance laws of the early 21st
  century, examining the differences in the roles
  of women.

39
Chapter 32

• When Lockwood returns from London, how much time
  has passed? What surprise does he get at
  Thrushcross Grange?
• What things surprise Lockwood when he arrives at
  the Heights?
• How was Haretons shooting accident a good thing,
  in the end?
• Why is Nelly Dean particularly happy about the
  approaching wedding of Cathy and Hareton?

40
Chapter 33

• Discuss Heathcliff and Haretons relationship.
• What does the replacement of the currant trees
  for flowers symbolize?

41
Chapter 34

• Describe Heathcliffs death. Do you feel
  Heathcliff found peace?
• Describe the characters reactions to
  Heathcliffs death.
• What stories are now told in the village? What
  do you think? Is it possible that the moors are
  really haunted?