Now I can't quote Friends like any of my sisters-in-laws can, but isn't Rachel quoted saying, "How the moors represent the wildness of Heathcliff's emotions?" I myself don't know what the moors represent, but let's agree with Rachel (or Phoebe, because I believe Rachel stole her idea) and say that is what the moors do represent.
As for the rest of the book, what is the deal with Wuthering Heights? It just seems to be this famous, beloved book that everyone raves over. Doesn't Sandra Bullock say in "The Proposal" that she rereads it every winter? Granted, I realize that I have only given fictional examples of people who like the book, but doesn't that somehow represent the general populous as well? I at least know Karly and Corie love it, and I respect their opinion in books. Well, except for this one.
I literally had to force myself to read this book. Reading a chapter was hard, and sometimes, I had no idea what Healthcliff or Catherine were saying or thinking. Besides the overall difficult mechanics of the books, I just didn't get engrossed into the story. I never believed that Heathcliff and Catherine had this unrequited love story. They just seemed to like to get into trouble together, that's all. And Catherine chose to marry for money and a good man, which is what I assume most girls did back then. They never seemed to have this special connection that was lost once she married Edgar. I never felt once that Heathcliff and Catherine belonged together and only were apart because of some bad decisions. I just didn't.
The only storyline that I like in the whole book is when Catherine (Catherine and Edgar's daughter) develops a relationship with Hindley Earnshaw, who she eventually marries. They are the only two characters that I ever connected with (well, I did like Nelly Dean), hoped goodness would happen to them, and really felt they had a chemistry. I was even sad that we didnt' get to see the wedding as it is only mentioned that they will marry on the first of year. And this whole plot development happens at the end of the book. I see no redeeming qualities to this book until the end. Bleh. That's alot of not fun story to read through to get to only a couple of pages that I do like.
Here's some questions I have of the novel, in no particular order. How does Heathcliff die in the end? Lovesick? Hunger? Delirium? How does Heathcliff's Catherine first get sick in the middle of the book? Like when she has that huge fit after Heathcliff comes over to her and Edgar's home? Why did Heathcliff want to marry Isabella Linton? Just to get back at Catherine? Why doesn't Catherine like Edgar? He seemed like a good guy, and eventually a good dad. Above all else, what is the draw?
I'd like some insight people. Any of you more intellectual types who understand literature far better than I, please help me out. Or maybe this is a book that you either love or hate. I don't know.
Let me know what you think!
4 comments:
yes, Heathcliff marries isabella to get back at Catherine ;) and maybe because he thinks he could have a part of Catherine forever too.
All good questions. I'll be sitting here eagerly waiting to see all the intellectual answers pouring in! As for me -- I can't help you out. I felt pretty much the same way you did.
okay, well, I'll have to skim thru the book again and then get back to you. Like I said, it's been ages since i read it. Heathcliff and Catherine's deaths you have to sort of read w/ a grain of salt considering when the book was written, people chalked a lot of illness and stuff up to your emotional health. LIke they were always telling pregnant women not to get worked up or they'd lose the baby, that sort of thing. Plus it's just so dramatic to think of dying/illness over broken-heartedness. And yes, as Karly said Heathcliff wanted Isabella just to spite Catherine.
Rachel/Phoebe says that the moors represent the wildness of Heathcliff's character.
oops, that was Corie, not Ruthie in that last comment. So is this.
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