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In early nineteenth-century Yorkshire, the passionate attachment between a headstrong young girl and a foundling boy brought up by her father causes disaster for them and many others, even in the next generation. Includes explanatory notes throughout the text, an introduction discussing the author and the background of the story, and a study guide.
Gr 7 Up
This audio version of Emily Bronte's classic is narrated by Ann Flosnik. Initially, her narration makes it difficult to distinguish between characters, but as the tale progresses, her vocal characterizations become more dramatic and unique for each character, drawing listeners deeper and deeper into this dark and brooding love story. The first disk of the set also contains a PDF ebook of the full text of the novel which can be downloaded. Some students will want to read along with the narrated version, while others can use the ebook as a reference tool for class assignments. A nice addition to classic literature collections and a good way to enhance the English curriculum.-Anita Lawson, Otsego High School, Otsego, MI
chapter 1
1801.'I have just returned from a visit to my landlord'the solitary neighbour that I shall be troubled with. This is certainly a beautiful country! In all England, I do not believe that I could have fixed on a situation so completely removed from the stir of society. A perfect misanthropist's Heaven: and Mr. Heathcliff and I are such a suitable pair to divide the desolation between us. A capital fellow! He little imagined how my heart warmed towards him when I beheld his black eyes withdraw so suspiciously under their brows, as I rode up, and when his fingers sheltered themselves, with a jealous resolution, still further in his waistcoat, as I announced my name.
‘Mr. Heathcliff?' I said.
A nod was the answer.
‘Mr. Lockwood your new tenant, sir. I do myself the honour of calling as soon as possible after my arrival, to express the hope that I have not inconvenienced you by my perseverance in soliciting the occupation of Thrushcross Grange: I heard yesterday you had had some thoughts'
‘Thrushcross Grange is my own, sir,' he interrupted, wincing. ‘I should not allow any one to inconvenience me, if I could hinder it'walk in!'
The ‘walk in' was uttered with closed teeth, and expressed the sentiment, ‘Go to the Deuce': even the gate over which he leant manifested no sympathizing movement to the words; and I think that circumstance determined me to accept the invitation: I felt interested in a man who seemed more exaggeratedly reserved than myself.When he saw my horse's breast fairly pushing the barrier, he did pull out his hand to unchain it, and then sullenly preceded me up the causeway, calling, as we entered the court,'‘Joseph, take Mr. Lockwood's horse; and bring up some wine.'
‘Here we have the whole establishment of domestics, I suppose,' was the reflection, suggested by this compound order. ‘No wonder the grass grows up between the flags, and cattle are the only hedge cutters.'
Joseph was an elderly, nay, an old man: very old, perhaps, though hale and sinewy. ‘The Lord help us!' he soliloquised in an undertone of peevish displeasure, while relieving me of my horse: looking, meantime, in my face so sourly that I charitably conjectured he must have need of divine aid to digest his dinner, and his pious ejaculation had no reference to my unexpected advent.
Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr. Heathcliff's dwelling. ‘Wuthering' being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather. Pure, bracing ventilation they must have up there at all times, indeed: one may guess the power of the north wind blowing over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the end of the house; and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun. Happily, the architect had foresight to build it strong: the narrow windows are deeply set in the wall, and the corners defended with large jutting stones.
Before passing the threshold, I paused to admire a quantity of grotesque carving lavished over the front, and especially about the principal door; above which, among a wilderness of crumbling griffins and shameless little boys, I detected the date ‘1500,' and the name ‘Hareton Earnshaw.' I would have made a few comments, and requested a short history of the place from the surly owner; but his attitude at the door appeared to demand my speedy entrance, or complete departure, and I had no desire to aggravate his impatience previous to inspecting the penetralium.
One step brought us into the family sitting-room, without any introductory lobby or passage: they call it here ‘the house' preeminently. It includes kitchen and parlour, generally; but I believe at Wuthering Heights the kitchen is forced to retreat altogether into another quarter: at least I distinguished a chatter of tongues, and a clatter of culinary utensils, deep within; and I observed no signs of roasting, boiling, or baking, about the huge fireplace; nor any glitter of copper saucepans and tin cullenders on the walls. One end, indeed, reflected splendidly both light and heat from ranks of immense pewter dishes, interspersed with silver jugs and tankards, towering row after row, on a vast oak dresser, to the very roof. The latter had never been underdrawn: its entire anatomy lay bare to an inquiring eye, except where a frame of wood laden with oatcakes and clusters of legs of beef, mutton, and ham, concealed it. Above the chimney were sundry villainous old guns, and a couple of horse-pistols: and, by way of ornament, three gaudily painted canisters disposed along its ledge. The floor was of smooth, white stone; the chairs, high-backed, primitive structures, painted green: one or two heavy black ones lurking in the shade. In an arch under the dresser, reposed a huge, liver-coloured bitch pointer, surrounded by a swarm of squealing puppies; and other dogs haunted other recesses.
The apartment and furniture would have been nothing extraordinary as belonging to a homely, northern farmer, with a stubborn countenance, and stalwart limbs set out to advantage in knee-breeches and gaiters. Such an individual seated in his armchair, his mug of ale frothing on the round table before him, is to be seen in any circuit of five or six miles among these hills, if you go at the right time after dinner. But Mr. Heathcliff forms a singular contrast to his abode and style of living. He is a dark-skinned gypsy in aspect, in dress and manners a gentleman: that is, as much a gentleman as many a country squire: rather slovenly, perhaps, yet not looking amiss with his negligence, because he has an erect and handsome figure; and rather morose.
| About the series | ||
| About this volume | ||
| Pt. 1 | Wuthering heights : the complete text in cultural context | |
| Introduction : biographical and historical contexts | 3 | |
| The complete text (1847) | 15 | |
| Cultural documents and illustrations | 289 | |
| The regional context: Haworth, Yorkshire, and the Moors | 292 | |
| The political context : the women's movement | 295 | |
| The historical context : the Irish potato famine | 302 | |
| Imperial and racial contexts : models for Heathcliff | 316 | |
| The legal context : English inheritance laws | 324 | |
| Pt. 2 | Wuthering Heights : a case study in contemporary criticism | |
| A critical history of Wuthering Heights | 333 | |
| Psychoanalytic criticism and Wuthering Heights | 348 | |
| What is psychoanalytic criticism? | 348 | |
| Psychoanalytic criticism : a selected bibliography | 359 | |
| The absent mother in Wuthering Heights | 364 | |
| Marxist criticism and Wuthering Heights | 379 | |
| What is Marxist criticism? | 379 | |
| Marxist criticism : a selected bibliography | 391 | |
| Myths of power : a Marxist study on Wuthering Heights | 394 | |
| Cultural criticism and Wuthering Heights | 411 | |
| What is cultural criticism? | 411 | |
| Cultural criticism : a selected bibliography | 424 | |
| Imperialist nostalgia and Wuthering Heights | 430 | |
| Feminist criticism and Wuthering Heights | 451 | |
| What is feminist criticism? | 451 | |
| Feminist criticism : a selected bibliography | 459 | |
| Changing the names : the two Catherines | 468 | |
| Combining perspectives on Wuthering Heights | 478 | |
| From "your father was emperor of China, and your mother an Indian queen" : reverse imperialism in Wuthering Heights | 480 | |
| Glossary of critical and theoretical terms | 503 | |
| About the contributors | 530 |
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 victimof it? How important is the role of class in the novel, particularly as it relates to Heathcliff and his life?
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?
Anonymous
Posted Mon Sep 22 00:00:00 EDT 2008
I decided to read this book after I saw it mentioned several times throughout the 'Twilight Series' by Stephenie Meyer. In the book 'Eclipse', Bella compared herself to the character of Catherine and being that I had never read 'Wuthering Heights' I thought I would give it a go. I'll have to admit that it was hard to read at times because the language back then was so different yet beautiful as well. I could definitely see similarities between the love triangle that exists between Catherine, Heathcliff, and Edgar compared to that of Bella, Edward, and Jacob in 'Twilight'. I think it was a good story and I'm glad that I did read it because now I can go back through the 'Twilight' books and know what Bella means when she mentions the different characters from the story. Good stuff...
51 out of 64 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Oct 22 00:00:00 EDT 2009
To read this novel is to succumb to a world that is strange and beautiful and cruel and mesmerizing. It reads like a dream written in poetry. It is not an easy read, but it is well worth the effort it takes to understand its complex structure, psychologically nuanced characters, and rich language. It's reputation as a love story is misleading. It is a story of love in all of its complex manifestations but not the romantic love of pulp fiction. The love Bronte refers to is love that is ambivalent, sadistic, obsessive, and, literally, maddening. Wuthering Heights is a true work of art that deserves to be read and re-read.
30 out of 30 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Jul 18 00:00:00 EDT 2008
I'm generally not interested in the 'classic' genre and I was expecting a really slow start to Wuthering Heights, because that is what I discovered with reading Jane Eyre (I do understand that they are written by two different authors but I had expected their literary styles to be similar because the sisters were so close to each other). When I read the book for school over the summer, I was delighted to find the story fast paced, interesting, and simple yet still powerful. The intense, complex, (and somewhat boring) conversations that took place in Jane Eyre are absent from Wuthering Heights. The deeper meaning in the story is instead found more within the characters' actions, and relationships with one another. I found the characters loveable and memorable, though some of them were a little twisted.
14 out of 16 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Aug 16 00:00:00 EDT 2008
I actually got into this book by Stephanie Meyer's 'Twilight' series because they mentioned it a lot in those books. Im extrememly glad I did take the time to read this book though because it was fanominal. It's your classic love story, with a twist of evil you didn't think possible from one person [that person being Heathcliff]. The old english talk can get confusing, so it's definately one for the older readers. All and all, it's one of my all-time favorite books.
13 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Aug 12 00:00:00 EDT 2008
All of my life, I had heard of the dark novel, Wuthering Heights. I had read reviews describing its complicated twists, evil characters, and intense plots. After years of putting it off, I bought it, not giving myself the chance to look back at the Classics section on my way out. I decided it was time. Cautiously opening the first page, I prepared myself. I prepared myself for a long, complicated, sometimes scary read. What I got was a hurricane of emotions that I believe every human being is capable of. Not only was it an absorbing, fascinating read, but it was a revelation. I realized for the first time in my life that every human has a dark side that he keeps hidden in the chambers of his heart. Yet what if we, the human race, were to let our emotions rule us? What if our passions were portrayed for all the world to see? I imagine that is what Emily Bronte had in mind when she first envisioned this novel, her soul masterpiece. She exposed the human race as it really is: Warm, Passionate, Tempestuous, Melancholy, and sometimes a bit Playful.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Mar 20 00:00:00 EDT 2007
In college, I was a literay snob and only read things written before the 20th century. I absolutley adore Pride and Prejudice, loved Jane Eyre, really enjoyed Tess of the D'Ubervilles. I have read 'Wuthering heights' 2.5 times- just hoping it would get better as I got older. It didn't. I abhor books with such despicable characters as Heathcliff and Cathy. The plot meandered. I really wanted to enjoy this book, b/c I loved the other Brote sister's books so much, but I could not recommend this book, at all.
9 out of 17 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I am really passionate about Wuthering Heights. After reading it in 10th grade, it's been my favorite romance novel. It's so intensely intense. I actually don't have this version of the book, I have the Norton edition, but I really like this cover. To sum up Wuthering Heights in a sentence, it's a novel that tells the story of two people, Catherine and Heathcliff, who are fiercely, and almost violently, in love with each other but can't truly, physically be together until they are in the grave. It's simply phenomenal!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Dec 06 00:00:00 EST 2011
The only book Emily bronte has ever written was 'Wuthering Heights.' I had always been told that iw was a classic love story, but that generalization is terribly misleading. The book is the threshold of what is dramatic literature. From revenge to true love to fate, it is all in this book. The story is about Mr. Lockwook staying at the Heights. No one much cares for Heathcliff, except Earnshaw's daughter, catherine. They have a strong relationship which evolves to romance. the story takes a twist when Heathfcliff leaves the heights for years, only to come back finding his love betrothed. Enraging him, thus ssetting up the plot of Heathcliff's revenge. As the years go by, Heathcliff marries, has a sokn, who takes an intrest in none other than Catherine's daughter. The connection created only infuriates Heathcliff with more passion for vengence. The story continues with the spiteful actions heathcliff takes."It is no company at all when people know nothing and say nothing." (Ch. 8 pg. 68) this is when Caterine is telling Heathcliff that she is tired of his company; not seeking friendship in him. this adds to the drama of the book because both love eacch other immensly and in all honesty, can not tolerate separation. Bronte had the capability to take real life situiations and mold them into her novel. Often, we make decisions based on our mind and not our heart. 'Wuthering Heights' vices these actions through its dramatic contense.Bronte characterized her characters in a subjective way. Each one was an individual. "I don't want your help; she snapped, I can get them for myself." (Ch. 2 pg. 11) This passage comes from the youhng Catherine, the daughter of Catherine and her husband. She plays an antagonist for Heathcliff's revenge. She has a soft heart and cares for the sick, but she is strong and does things for herself. Wee meet Joseph, a small character, but important. He is crude and angry at the world. It makes us apprefciate Catherine and Heathcliff's relationship even if it is strained. The main character, Heathcliff, is diverse in his feelings. "I got a stone and thrust it between his jaws and tried with all my might to cram it down his throat." (Ch. 6 pg. 48) Here, we are learning about when Heathcliff was trying to save Catherine from an attacking dog. He is compasionate and protective of her. This deep love for her only fuels his rage, later o0n, when she marrys another.Throughout the book, there was a twist in plot on every page. The question was constantly, "What now?!" The characterization and genre ofthe book was satisfying because I was able to observe reality in this novel. The ending was unexpected, but one that exemplifies brilliance.
5 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Dec 08 00:00:00 EST 2010
This is a great book, however, this version is sprinkled with typos. For example, every time there is an apostrophe followed by two "L"s, it comes out as an eleven. I.e., "We'll" becomes "We'11," etc. It's not exactly a deal breaker, given that it's a free copy. It does get a little taxing to try to figure out each typographical error.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.i'v heard much about this book from many people,decided to finally read it. had a hard time keeping names straight and who's who. and who was the strory teller. once i finally caught on to how the book was written i enjoyed it the whole time. i didnt want to put it down. i cant believe how much drama was put into one book. i think i will read it again soon. it wont be a disapointment to anyone reading it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Nov 02 00:00:00 EDT 2010
We read this book for book club, and it took everything I had to make it through this book. I do not see the fasination with it honestly. They were more like brother and sister then lovers, and if it was anything it was lust that is it! Heathcliff is a horrible person and to even want to root for him and catherine I don't see it. He is so abusive to other women is this what we want our daughters looking up to, I don't! I want her to have a true love and find the person of her dreams, but not one that abuses women to get there! Hate this book!!
2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Oct 07 00:00:00 EDT 2010
Well. That was a downer. Big surprise, I know. Was that a love story? A warning? A testimony to cousins marrying? The story of Catherine and Healthcliff, and Heathcliff's revenge on her family. I don't understand why he's such a romantic character. Is it because any piece of humanity he may have had was destroyed by her and yet all he wanted was to be with her in death? Is that romantic? I thought he was a terrible, terrible man. The pages I enjoyed most were approximately the last twenty. I very much enjoyed Hareton and Catherine's relationship, but the rest made me sad and gloomy, which seems to be the predominate theme. I hated the way it was told. I was at first confused at who was speaking, because I thought it would be third-person telling the story or first-person through Cathy or Heathcliff. Yet it's this guy who was never in the 'important' part of the story. I felt so disconnected from Cathy and Heathcliff as the narrator heard it from the servant who knew them, and disliked the hero and heroine! I am a reader who despises when people are complete idiots. Mistakes happen, yes. But it's so frustrating when they act so stupid and rashly as these characters do! Even those who are emotional and passionate have SOME sort of common sense! I have no pity for the characters and could not relate to them at all, because they were so stupid and idiotic! I cannot agree with people who think it's a story of 'true love' and blah blah blah. Sorry, but if you were REALLY in love with somebody, you wouldn't have done anything that Cathy and Heathcliff did. This book is not a love story, it's a hate story.
2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Jun 05 00:00:00 EDT 2010
I had a love/hate thing with this book. It's really weird but I want to read it again.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Mar 24 00:00:00 EDT 2009
Just what the doctor ordered !
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Aug 20 00:00:00 EDT 2007
i started reading this book cuz other ppl told me this was a good book. i started to get bored halfway thru the book but i kept on reading, thinking the book wuld get better soon. this book dragged alot and didnt really contain much excitement for me.
2 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Jan 21 00:00:00 EST 2007
eh, so,so not the number one book but ain't that bad. on a scale of 1-10 on how good it is i would give it a three and on a scale of how bad it is i would give it a 7. i wouldn't recommend to people. dissapointing. waist of time. you should just read a GOOD book like fresh of the boat and so not the drama.
2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Feb 28 00:00:00 EST 2014
Are you all fans of warrior books or what
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Jan 25 00:00:00 EST 2014
Thanks floats out.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 2013
"Anyone know where bloodclan is?"
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Nov 30 00:00:00 EST 2013
She pads in. "Can i join?" ((Winterstar, is it you? Do you know Moonfur? Or Stormwing?))
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
In early nineteenth-century Yorkshire, the passionate attachment between a headstrong young girl and a foundling boy brought up by her father causes disaster for them and many others, even in the next...