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Wuthering Heights
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Wuthering Heights (Classics Group Read Nov-Dec 2013)
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Nov 14, 2013 12:03PM
How would anybody feel about using a couple of more formal questions to discuss the book? There are lots in cliff notes/spark notes
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Heather wrote: "How would anybody feel about using a couple of more formal questions to discuss the book? There are lots in cliff notes/spark notes"I'd quite like that :)
How about these as a few questions to discuss (we could start in spoilers or wait until end of the Month).
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. 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?
3. 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?
4. 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?
Answer what you want or nothing if you want! I got these questions from http://www.litlovers.com/reading-guid..., I picked a few that interested me but obviously anybody can pick or chose any others or any questions from other sites
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. 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?
3. 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?
4. 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?
Answer what you want or nothing if you want! I got these questions from http://www.litlovers.com/reading-guid..., I picked a few that interested me but obviously anybody can pick or chose any others or any questions from other sites
Heather wrote: "How about these as a few questions to discuss (we could start in spoilers or wait until end of the Month)..."I like the questions! I don't know whether to suggest waiting or jumping in... I don't have any feeling about how many people might be reading this book for the first time. Laura, what do you think?
Mod
I also wanted to add that I feel particularly happy seeing all this partecipation - do you say that in english? Classic then are never out of date!!!!
I'm reading it for the first time!! Not too far off finishing now - 80% of the way through. I've not been around much over the last week so I'm catching up with all the comments. I like the questions Heather has posted - I also think it would be good for December...
I think it's a good idea to wait until December. The participation with this has been excellent, I've really enjoyed how many people are reading and making comments on the thread. What a successful book club we are!
Mod
1. To what extent do you think the setting of the novel contributes to, or informs, what ..."
Great questions.
I've already read wuthering heights and it is one of my favourite books so I can't wait to discuss it on here!
I've finished this now - gave it 4 stars. I nearly gave 3 but then I remembered I gave "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" 4 stars earlier this year and as I enjoyed them both about the same, this gets 4 stars from me.
Is anyone still reading this? I might have a go at some of Heather's questions now that I've finished it...
Mod
I havo to go to my office to see if I can speack to my boss to change place, and in the afternoon I have to go to my children's school to talk to the teachers. Busy day...
I am reposting the questions Heather had posed. Please feel free to answer (or just discuss the book) without using spoiler tags at this point.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. 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?
3. 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?
4. 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?
As Heather noted, feel free to answer as many or as few as you like. Or pose questions of your own for us to discuss!
I am rubbish at these type of questions (unless I put more work into it than I am willing to do for this book!) but I will take a stab at some of them.2. 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?
I find Heathcliff more 3-D than Cathy but neither of them strike me as very real - perhaps that is the root of my dislike of the book. Does Cathy really love Heathcliff? She certainly doesn't act like it in any way that I can understand. Does she love Linton? I can't tell!
3. 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?
Hmmm... I guess I just assumed that Mr. Lockwood was reliable since he was the outsider without personal ties to any of the characters. Nelly Dean clearly had her own opinions and beliefs about the various characters; sometimes it is obvious but her narrative is probably biased even when it isn't obvious. Despite that, I never had the feeling she was deliberately falsifying or coloring the story.
4. 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?
I would be interested in hearing what others think about this as I can never make up my mind about Heathcliff. Sure, he was treated badly especially in his young life but he then is as bad or even worse when he becomes master.
Leslie wrote: "I am rubbish at these type of questions (unless I put more work into it than I am willing to do for this book!) but I will take a stab at some of them.
2. Do you think Bronte succeeds in creating ..."
I agree that neither Heathcliff and Cathy are very real characters but I think Heathcliff is very interesting. I think he has elements of a personality disorder in the way he treats people, his reaction to the way he was treated is not normal human behaviour.
One of my favourite parts of the novel was the discussion of social class running through it. As I said in my review, Heathcliff is changed by social class when he is bullied by Hindley. He is then rewarded by becoming master but abuses his position and social class. Catherine loses the apparent love of her life due to a desire for social status. the whole book almost reads like a warning against paying too much attention to class.
I also just assumed Lockwood was reliable and I think he is there for that purpose. In contrast to Nellie Dean who adds her own personal bias to the story.
2. Do you think Bronte succeeds in creating ..."
I agree that neither Heathcliff and Cathy are very real characters but I think Heathcliff is very interesting. I think he has elements of a personality disorder in the way he treats people, his reaction to the way he was treated is not normal human behaviour.
One of my favourite parts of the novel was the discussion of social class running through it. As I said in my review, Heathcliff is changed by social class when he is bullied by Hindley. He is then rewarded by becoming master but abuses his position and social class. Catherine loses the apparent love of her life due to a desire for social status. the whole book almost reads like a warning against paying too much attention to class.
I also just assumed Lockwood was reliable and I think he is there for that purpose. In contrast to Nellie Dean who adds her own personal bias to the story.
Mod
I think that the Moore is the real protagonist, or at least one of them, of the book. The landscape is so much INSIDE CAthy and Heathcliff that I don't think they'd be so weird or cantakerous otherwise ...
2. 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?
No, I don't find them so "complete": the more represent some whim, some aspect of real life - strengh, revenge, spirit ...
3. 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?
I find them quite reliable, not so much influencing the story on the whole ...
4. 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?
More than class I'd say that character is important. I don't like him, never have. He is the real evil spirit of the novel in my opinion, all the others are more stupid, and stupidity can sometimes - often? - more dangerous and eveil that evil ...
LauraT wrote: "More than class I'd say that character is important. I don't like him, never have. He is the real evil spirit of the novel in my opinion, all the others are more stupid, and stupidity can sometimes - often? - more dangerous and eveil that evil ..."Hmmm... you think Heathcliff is more evil than Hindley or Joseph? I am not sure I would agree.
Mod
But still I can't stand how he revenged himself on weak and stupid characters such as Isabella. Unpardonable ...
I pretty much forgot about this discussion and I just remembered I never explained to Alannah why I hated it like I said I would. So here are the reasons I hated WH. At least the ones in my head right now.For me to like a book I usually need to like either the story, the characters, or the writing style. WH is 0 for 3 on that, I didn't like anyone in it, I didn't like the story, and I didn't like the way it was written.
I don't like dumb women in books and every single woman in WH from the Catherines to Isabella to Nellie to the house maids are falling all over themselves to do Heathcliff's bidding. I will never get why people find Heathcliff appealing. He is a wife beating, child abusing, no good evil monster of a man.
In answer to Leslie's question I don't really think of Joseph as evil and Hindley spent so much of the novel as a broken man it was hard to keep up my dislike of him by the end he just seemed more crazy than evil.
I don't like dialect speech in books so the parts where Joseph is talking just made a book I already didn't like even more annoying.
I don't picture things in my head while reading so perhaps some of the appeal is lost on me because I didn't have lovely pictures of moors in my head while reading it.
The one thing I can say for it is it does have one of the greatest closing lines in literary history.
This is a book I read quite some time ago, and is one I would like to revisit one of these days. I found the story very dark, but there is something about the depth of Heathcliff and Catherine's relationship that draws you in anyway.
Maggie wrote: "This is a book I read quite some time ago, and is one I would like to revisit one of these days. I found the story very dark, but there is something about the depth of Heathcliff and Catherine's re..."It seems to be a very polarizing book, with most people loving it or hating it. Interesting that you are in the middle with 3 stars...
Late to the party but at last I have read WH and wanted to see your opinions. I can completely understand the hating, the loving not so much. I didn't hate this book, but also didn't really see what all the fuss was about either. Also why is it considered a romance? To me Heathcliff's love for Cathy was more obsession than love, and she is so one dimensional that the only reason for both men falling so deep in love seemed to be the lack of any other option. That being said the narration coming from Nelly was very intriguing, her character is the most questionable to me, still not sure if she's good or not. Hareton was the only character I found likeable really.
Mod
I've read it quite a while ago - I think I'd have to re-read it to comment properly!
Hales wrote: "Late to the party but at last I have read WH and wanted to see your opinions. I can completely understand the hating, the loving not so much. I didn't hate this book, but also didn't really see wha..."I agree that Heathcliff's love is more obsession. He strikes me as the kind of man who in the modern world becomes a stalker!
And Cathy never seemed like a flesh-and-blood woman to me either -- when people who love the book talk about her, it always seems like they have filled out her character in their imagination somehow.
Anyway, thanks for adding to the conversation :)
I completely agree Leslie, she's barely even in the book. Very perplexing, younger Cathy features much more.
This is one I need to reread. I read it so long ago, I can't really contribute anything here!
Mod
I hope to reread it soon as well.
I read Wuthering Heights a few years back and really liked it. I, too, was confused as to why it's considered a romance. Nowhere in these pages did I find romance. Obsession and abuse, yes. But nothing I'd consider love or tenderness or caring.
However, by removing the idea of romance and seeing this as a very dysfunctional family situation gives the story somewhat more solid footing, I found. This is the most dysfunctional family I've ever met in books.
Mod
I, too, was confused as to why it's considered a romance. Nowhere in these pages did I find romance. Obsession and abuse, yes. But n..."
I agree with you Petra, and it was something I remember discussing in my Victorian class. Then I think someone went on to explore the idea in a presentation we had to do for the class, looking at the idea of romance and why we find these type of novels so romantics when the actions of some of the characters can be concerning. I think the girl doing it went on to use examples from Tess of the D'Urbervilles (which we were also studying), 50 Shades of Grey (which at the time was all everyone was talking about and Twilight. It was very interesting and got me thinking about the type of novels people, mainly women obsess over.
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