"...the guest was now the master of Wuthering Heights." -pg. 162
Oh, how the tables have turned! But seriously, the once-hated Heathcliff has now gained control of Wuthering Heights. Although I'm rather confused on how, he takes over the Earnshaw's place of residence after Mr. Earnshaw dies. To me, this foreshadows gloom towards all of Wuthering Heights. It further adds to the contrast between his place of residence and the Grange. The Grange is still a place of home and comfort, especially now that Healthcliff has taken over Wuthering Heights. This also represents a large shift in power. It upturns the idea of discrimination and proves that the minority can overcome the ones who have been putting them down.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Wuthering Heights 7
"his basilisk eyes were nearly quenched by sleeplessness and weeping" -pg. 155
This quote is describing Heathcliff and his misery. Heathcliff, a very complex character, can be hated and sympathized by readers. Personally, I really hate him. However, this quote and his experiences bring on a sympathy towards him. He has gone through discrimination and loss of the only person who didn't look down on him. However, based on his actions, he is characterized as evil. He tries to harm Earnshaw and Isabella many times, and is very hateful towards everyone after Catherine's death. Moments of sympathy cannot bring me to like him as a character.
This quote is describing Heathcliff and his misery. Heathcliff, a very complex character, can be hated and sympathized by readers. Personally, I really hate him. However, this quote and his experiences bring on a sympathy towards him. He has gone through discrimination and loss of the only person who didn't look down on him. However, based on his actions, he is characterized as evil. He tries to harm Earnshaw and Isabella many times, and is very hateful towards everyone after Catherine's death. Moments of sympathy cannot bring me to like him as a character.
Wuthering Heights 6
"...what had urged her to escape from Wuthering Heights." -pg. 149
This is just one example of the contrast between Wuthering Heights and the Grange. Bronte uses diction when describing Wuthering Heights that is dark, confined, and resembles a prison. In this quote, the speaker is "escaping" from Wuthering Heights as if it is a prison. Their place of refuge is always the Grange. Many times the characters have said they feel at home or have a sense of warmth here. The Grange greatly contrasts Wuthering Heights by the use of imagery and diction. Without this imagery and diction, we would not be able to get into the thoughts of the characters because of the first person narrative. The Grange continues to be a place of refuge and warmth throughout the book.
This is just one example of the contrast between Wuthering Heights and the Grange. Bronte uses diction when describing Wuthering Heights that is dark, confined, and resembles a prison. In this quote, the speaker is "escaping" from Wuthering Heights as if it is a prison. Their place of refuge is always the Grange. Many times the characters have said they feel at home or have a sense of warmth here. The Grange greatly contrasts Wuthering Heights by the use of imagery and diction. Without this imagery and diction, we would not be able to get into the thoughts of the characters because of the first person narrative. The Grange continues to be a place of refuge and warmth throughout the book.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Wuthering Heights 5
"Before I came to live here...I was almost always at Wuthering Heights." -pg. 29
Mrs. Dean, the narrator of the inner story, gives the reader information through anechdotes. In contrast, Lockwood gives us information through his thoughts and feelings. This change in narrator gives the reader more insight into the events of the story. Mrs. Dean's anechdotes are the primary source we get information about the past from. This change of narrator also represents a change in setting. Lockwood narrates in 1801, which is the present. Mrs. Dean's stories are set in the mid 1970's to the present. This is why Mrs. Dean's anechdotes are so important--they give the reader information about the past that we would not currently know without them.
Mrs. Dean, the narrator of the inner story, gives the reader information through anechdotes. In contrast, Lockwood gives us information through his thoughts and feelings. This change in narrator gives the reader more insight into the events of the story. Mrs. Dean's anechdotes are the primary source we get information about the past from. This change of narrator also represents a change in setting. Lockwood narrates in 1801, which is the present. Mrs. Dean's stories are set in the mid 1970's to the present. This is why Mrs. Dean's anechdotes are so important--they give the reader information about the past that we would not currently know without them.
Wuthering Heights 4
"It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him." -pg. 70
This brings about a big theme in the book-- the battle between what a character really wants, and the character's duty to his/her family. In this example, Catherine obviously loves Heathcliff very much, yet she cannot marry him because of his social status. Heathcliff was a beggar and is very dirty. He was picked up by the family because he was left on the side of the road. Because of this, Catherine feels like she cannot marry him and her family will not approve. However, this decision sends her into a downward spiral. Although she marries Edgar and thinks she is happy, she truly loves Heathcliff until the day she dies. She frustrates me as a character simply because she was the cause of all this destruction, including her own. She made the decision to marry Edgar over Heathcliff, causing her all this heartbreak and her own death.
This brings about a big theme in the book-- the battle between what a character really wants, and the character's duty to his/her family. In this example, Catherine obviously loves Heathcliff very much, yet she cannot marry him because of his social status. Heathcliff was a beggar and is very dirty. He was picked up by the family because he was left on the side of the road. Because of this, Catherine feels like she cannot marry him and her family will not approve. However, this decision sends her into a downward spiral. Although she marries Edgar and thinks she is happy, she truly loves Heathcliff until the day she dies. She frustrates me as a character simply because she was the cause of all this destruction, including her own. She made the decision to marry Edgar over Heathcliff, causing her all this heartbreak and her own death.
Wuthering Heights 3
"A high wind blustered round the house, and roared in the chimney; it sounded wild and stormy, yet it was not cold." -pg. 36
This scene is one example of how nature parallels to the events of the story. Wuthering Heights gets its name from the way the weather is stormy and dark sometimes, or "Wuthering". This example of the weather being described as stormy and windy directly parallels to the events going on within the residence. The father had just died and there is lots of mourning within the house. This also lets the reader know that whenever the weather is stormy or "Wuthering," the relationships and the events within the residences are reflective of the weather. It also shows the effect that nature has on the town and the towns near it. In the first few chapters, Lockwood was stuck at the Heathcliffs' because of the snowy weather locking him in. This also effected the plot by the dialect and events that happened during his short stay.
This scene is one example of how nature parallels to the events of the story. Wuthering Heights gets its name from the way the weather is stormy and dark sometimes, or "Wuthering". This example of the weather being described as stormy and windy directly parallels to the events going on within the residence. The father had just died and there is lots of mourning within the house. This also lets the reader know that whenever the weather is stormy or "Wuthering," the relationships and the events within the residences are reflective of the weather. It also shows the effect that nature has on the town and the towns near it. In the first few chapters, Lockwood was stuck at the Heathcliffs' because of the snowy weather locking him in. This also effected the plot by the dialect and events that happened during his short stay.
Wuthering Heights 2
"I have gained the reputation of deliberate heartlessness." -pg. 3
The narrator, Lockwood, directly characterizes himself here as heartless. He then proceeds to tell a story of how a woman broke his heart due to requainted love. This small anechdote from the narrator gives us a look into who he is as a person. This anechdote also foreshadows the rest of the book and the story within the frame. As I progressed through the book, I realized that this was foreshadowing of the complicated love that Catherine and Heathcliff share. Healthcliff, much like Lockwood, was unable to be with his love because she would not be with him. Healthcliff was too rugged and dirty for Catherine to marry, and this caused Healthcliff to be heartless. This heartlessness is shown towards Edgar, Isabella, and the rest of their family.
The narrator, Lockwood, directly characterizes himself here as heartless. He then proceeds to tell a story of how a woman broke his heart due to requainted love. This small anechdote from the narrator gives us a look into who he is as a person. This anechdote also foreshadows the rest of the book and the story within the frame. As I progressed through the book, I realized that this was foreshadowing of the complicated love that Catherine and Heathcliff share. Healthcliff, much like Lockwood, was unable to be with his love because she would not be with him. Healthcliff was too rugged and dirty for Catherine to marry, and this caused Healthcliff to be heartless. This heartlessness is shown towards Edgar, Isabella, and the rest of their family.
Wuthering Heights 1
"Cathy and I escaped from the wash-house to have a ramble at liberty." -pg. 40
This quote is one of many that starts the chapter of Nelly Dean narrating. She also starts to narrate the book for as far as chapter 16. The change of narrators is an example of a frame story. The outer frame, Mr. Lockwood's diary, recalls the accounts of Mrs. Dean telling her story to Lockwood. In this story, Mrs. Dean becomes the first person narrator. This change of narration has an effect on the information and feelings we are able to capture. When Lockwood is narrating, his feelings are ardently expressed and further help to characterize him. Mrs. Dean only gives anechdotal accounts, so we only know how the characters are feeling because of their actions and words.
This quote is one of many that starts the chapter of Nelly Dean narrating. She also starts to narrate the book for as far as chapter 16. The change of narrators is an example of a frame story. The outer frame, Mr. Lockwood's diary, recalls the accounts of Mrs. Dean telling her story to Lockwood. In this story, Mrs. Dean becomes the first person narrator. This change of narration has an effect on the information and feelings we are able to capture. When Lockwood is narrating, his feelings are ardently expressed and further help to characterize him. Mrs. Dean only gives anechdotal accounts, so we only know how the characters are feeling because of their actions and words.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Frankenstein Tres
"...learn my miseries, and do not seek to increase your own." -pg. 156
Here we have another parallel of characterization and plot. Victor is telling Walton that he does not wish to tell of the creation process. He wants Victor to learn from his story and not make the same mistakes he did and cause himself misery. Much like Victor, Walton is seeking scientific information that nobody has found out how to do. Victor tells his story to warn him of the unseen consequences and to think of his actions before he acts. He also doesn't want his creation process getting out to anyone because his whole family (minus Ernest) was murdered because of the chain of events. He himself died from the misery the monster he created had given him. Victor cares about Walton and does not wish the same miseries on him.
Here we have another parallel of characterization and plot. Victor is telling Walton that he does not wish to tell of the creation process. He wants Victor to learn from his story and not make the same mistakes he did and cause himself misery. Much like Victor, Walton is seeking scientific information that nobody has found out how to do. Victor tells his story to warn him of the unseen consequences and to think of his actions before he acts. He also doesn't want his creation process getting out to anyone because his whole family (minus Ernest) was murdered because of the chain of events. He himself died from the misery the monster he created had given him. Victor cares about Walton and does not wish the same miseries on him.
Frankenstein Dos
"Over him hung a form which I cannot find words to describe:--gigantic in stature, yet uncouth and distorted in its proportions...but one vast hand was extended" -pg. 163
This scene, as the last scene of the novel, reflects one of the first scenes of the book. The creation scene in the very beginning is mirrored in this ending scene. The monster is standing over Victor with his hand extended to him. Circumstances, however, are much different. Victor is lying dead in this last scene, while he is full of life in the first. The creature has the same intentions even though his stages of life are different. The creature is reaching out for help and consolation in both scenes, even though Victor is dead in the last. In a baby state of mind in the first scene, the monster only knows of his creator and reaches out in affection. In the last scene, the monster returns to his creator and reaches out full of regret, hoping for his consolation and forgiveness.
This scene, as the last scene of the novel, reflects one of the first scenes of the book. The creation scene in the very beginning is mirrored in this ending scene. The monster is standing over Victor with his hand extended to him. Circumstances, however, are much different. Victor is lying dead in this last scene, while he is full of life in the first. The creature has the same intentions even though his stages of life are different. The creature is reaching out for help and consolation in both scenes, even though Victor is dead in the last. In a baby state of mind in the first scene, the monster only knows of his creator and reaches out in affection. In the last scene, the monster returns to his creator and reaches out full of regret, hoping for his consolation and forgiveness.
Frankenstein Uno
"Evil thenceforth became my good. Urged thus far, I had no choice but to adapt my nature to an element which I had willingly chosen." -pg. 164
The creatures last speech in the book presents alot of important themes and supposed explanations. This specific quote is his explanation for why he murdered all the people he did. Now filled with sorrow and regret, the monster presents a large theme of the book: good vs. evil. His justification is that he had chosen evil at one point and had to continue on in it. He also states that the evil was from jealousy of happiness and he thinks Victor doesn't deserve to be happy if he isn't. This constant battle between this chosen evil and the actual good nature of the monster is a struggle throughout the whole book, although we often do not see it. His explanation, although his own choice, strains him as he sees Victor dead.
The creatures last speech in the book presents alot of important themes and supposed explanations. This specific quote is his explanation for why he murdered all the people he did. Now filled with sorrow and regret, the monster presents a large theme of the book: good vs. evil. His justification is that he had chosen evil at one point and had to continue on in it. He also states that the evil was from jealousy of happiness and he thinks Victor doesn't deserve to be happy if he isn't. This constant battle between this chosen evil and the actual good nature of the monster is a struggle throughout the whole book, although we often do not see it. His explanation, although his own choice, strains him as he sees Victor dead.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Frankenstein 5
"I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man." -pg. 1
An important observation that can be made is the similarity between Robert and Victor. The similarities are supported by the fact that they instantly become friends. Also, Victor trusts Robert very quickly to tell him this story of the monster he created. They are similar in the fact they like and seek adventure and knowledge. Robert is searching for what draws magnets to the north pole. Victor was searching knowledge on how to create life from lifeless matter. The difference, however, is that we know Victor has succeeded. Victor tells his story so that Robert will not carry on his journey and obtain knowledge that can have harmful consequences in the future.
An important observation that can be made is the similarity between Robert and Victor. The similarities are supported by the fact that they instantly become friends. Also, Victor trusts Robert very quickly to tell him this story of the monster he created. They are similar in the fact they like and seek adventure and knowledge. Robert is searching for what draws magnets to the north pole. Victor was searching knowledge on how to create life from lifeless matter. The difference, however, is that we know Victor has succeeded. Victor tells his story so that Robert will not carry on his journey and obtain knowledge that can have harmful consequences in the future.
Frankenstein 4
"all sound of joy or complacency was torture to me; solitude wa smy only consolation--deep, dark, deathlike solitude." -pg. 61
This point of the book hits on two themes developed in the book--guilt and solitude. After Justine's death, Victor is feeling extreme guilt. He thinks because he created the monster that supposedly killed William and indirectly killed Justine that he is responsible for these deaths. I personally believe he is mildly responsible, because he left the monster to fend for himself. He can't just create something, then just let it run into the wild without knowing anything about the world. Another theme this hits on is solitude. To Victor, the only thing that can cure this extreme guilt is to be put in solitude and go on a journey. This solitude also shows up in other characters' journeys, such as the monster's and Robert's and the beginning of the book.
This point of the book hits on two themes developed in the book--guilt and solitude. After Justine's death, Victor is feeling extreme guilt. He thinks because he created the monster that supposedly killed William and indirectly killed Justine that he is responsible for these deaths. I personally believe he is mildly responsible, because he left the monster to fend for himself. He can't just create something, then just let it run into the wild without knowing anything about the world. Another theme this hits on is solitude. To Victor, the only thing that can cure this extreme guilt is to be put in solitude and go on a journey. This solitude also shows up in other characters' journeys, such as the monster's and Robert's and the beginning of the book.
Frankenstein 3
"I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend." -pg. 69
Another important thematic aspect of this book is nature vs. nurture. When Victor created his monster, he instantly believed he was a monster by nature. By birth, he was evil and was out to hurt him. That's why he killed William and indirectly allowed Justine to die. However, in the last few chapters of the first half of the book, the monster tries to argue the nurture side of his upbringing. He says he is a fiend and is evil because of what humans have done to him and how they have treated him. The monster begins to tell his story of why he is evil now. However, he shows signs of being kind-hearted at the beginning of his life, doing good deeds for the family in the cottage he stayed next to. Nature vs. nurture continues to be a theme throughout the book as we find out the monster's true story and upbringing.
Another important thematic aspect of this book is nature vs. nurture. When Victor created his monster, he instantly believed he was a monster by nature. By birth, he was evil and was out to hurt him. That's why he killed William and indirectly allowed Justine to die. However, in the last few chapters of the first half of the book, the monster tries to argue the nurture side of his upbringing. He says he is a fiend and is evil because of what humans have done to him and how they have treated him. The monster begins to tell his story of why he is evil now. However, he shows signs of being kind-hearted at the beginning of his life, doing good deeds for the family in the cottage he stayed next to. Nature vs. nurture continues to be a theme throughout the book as we find out the monster's true story and upbringing.
Frankenstein 2
"a being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature, sat in the sledge, and guided the dogs." -pg. 8
Mary Shelley writes this book different from many others--she gives us the ending, and we must read on in suspense to find out the beginning and middle. This giving-away of the ending does not spoil the book, however. It gives the book its most important aspect--suspense. The suspense created by revealing where the monster and Victor ends up keeps me engaged and gives the book its eerie feeling and atmosphere. Revealing the monster on a sled near the Arctic also foreshadows what might happen in the middle. This foreshadowing lets the reader know when the ending is. As Victor is running away from the monster in chapter five, for example, we know that things will change. At the end of the book, Victor will be chasing the monster as he is in the Arctic.
Mary Shelley writes this book different from many others--she gives us the ending, and we must read on in suspense to find out the beginning and middle. This giving-away of the ending does not spoil the book, however. It gives the book its most important aspect--suspense. The suspense created by revealing where the monster and Victor ends up keeps me engaged and gives the book its eerie feeling and atmosphere. Revealing the monster on a sled near the Arctic also foreshadows what might happen in the middle. This foreshadowing lets the reader know when the ending is. As Victor is running away from the monster in chapter five, for example, we know that things will change. At the end of the book, Victor will be chasing the monster as he is in the Arctic.
Frankenstein 1
"I have resolved every night, when I am not imperatively occupied by my duties, to record, as nearly as possible in his own words, what he has related during the day." -pg. 13-14
The format of this book is in letter form. The most important part to realize in the letters is the frame stories that surround the different letters. The first story is Robert and his journey, recording Victor's story. Within Victor's story we find many stories, such as the monster's story. Although this may be hard to track, it is very important to follow because the characters are often similar or reflect important qualities in each other. For example, Robert and Victor are much alike in the fact that they seek adventure. These frame stories reflect more than just characterization-- the reflect theme and plot as well. The frame stories are a very important theme and aspect of the story as a whole.
The format of this book is in letter form. The most important part to realize in the letters is the frame stories that surround the different letters. The first story is Robert and his journey, recording Victor's story. Within Victor's story we find many stories, such as the monster's story. Although this may be hard to track, it is very important to follow because the characters are often similar or reflect important qualities in each other. For example, Robert and Victor are much alike in the fact that they seek adventure. These frame stories reflect more than just characterization-- the reflect theme and plot as well. The frame stories are a very important theme and aspect of the story as a whole.
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