Wuthering Heights Review

Catherine says "It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him: and that, not because he's handsome, Nelly, but because he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Linton's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire."

Catherine in Chapter 9. This shows Catherine's dichotomy between her and Heathcliff's "matched souls" and how marrying someone of low social class and of color would degrade her own social status.

"A great addition, in my eyes, was his being left without an heir. I bemoaned that, as I gazed on the feeble orphan; and I mentally abused old Linton for (what was only natural partiality) the securing his estate to his own daughter, instead of his son's. An unwelcomed infant it was, poor thing! It might have wailed out of life, and nobody cared a morsel, during those first hours of existence. We redeemed the neglect afterwards; but its beginning was as friendless as its end is likely to be."

Chapter 16, Nelly calls Cathy a "feeble orphan" and says she is "an unwelcomed infant it was, poor thing! It might have wailed out of life, and nobody cared a morsel, during those first hours of existence." ... Though the language is an echo of the past, however, Cathy turns out to be the representative of a new generation, and without the author's being foolishly optimistic, of a new set of values, an answer to the old ways.

'I wish I could hold you,' she continued, bitterly, 'till we were both dead! I shouldn't care what you suffered. I care nothing for your sufferings. Why shouldn't you suffer? I do! Will you forget me? Will you be happy when I am in the earth? Will you say twenty years hence, "That's the grave of Catherine Earnshaw? I loved her long ago, and was wretched to lose her; but it is past. I've loved many others since: my children are dearer to me than she was; and, at death, I shall not rejoice that I am going to her: I shall be sorry that I must leave them!" Will you say so, Heathcliff?'

This Chapter 15 quote is from Catherine when she was on her deathbed. It is at this point where they both declare their souls shall never be separated, through and through.

'I should guess it was her own,' said Heathcliff. 'She degenerates into a mere slut! She is tired of trying to please me uncommonly early. You'd hardly credit it, but the very morrow of our wedding she was weeping to go home. However, she'll suit this house so much the better for not being over nice, and I'll take care she does not disgrace me by rambling abroad.'

This is a quote from Heathcliff in Chapter 14 in which she calls Isabella a slut, and states she has been crying ever since they were married. These characteristics are used to portray Isabella as a weak, incapable and insecure, characteristics commonly associated with woman at the time. This quote highlights the gender lens

Did [Heathcliff] finish his education on the Continent, and come back a gentleman? or did he get a sizar's place at college, or escape to America, and earn honours by drawing blood from his foster-country? or make a fortune more promptly on the English highways?' 'He may have done a little in all these vocations, Mr. Lockwood; but I couldn't give my word for any. I stated before that I didn't know how he gained his money; neither am I aware of the means he took to raise his mind from the savage ignorance into which it was sunk: but, with your leave, I'll proceed in my own fashion, if you think it will amuse and not weary you. Are you feeling better this morning?"

This is a quote from Lockwood in chapter 10. He asks Nelly how Heathcliff came to be so wealthy and acquire both Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. This also asks the reader the same question asking "How did Heathcliff become so rich in his three years away?"

Is Mr. Heathcliff a man? If so, is he mad? And if not, is he a devil? I shan't tell my reasons for making this inquiry; but I beseech you to explain, if you can, what I have married.

This is a significant quote from Isabella in chapter 13 when she is writing to Nelly. She asks Nelly "Is [Heathcliff] a man? Showing that even his wife doesn't view him as human, and can be looked at in a race lens. This should also be looked at in a social class lens, though. This is because Isabella writes to Nelly (a maid of low social class) and seeks her advice. (Inversion of social class is a theme of gothic literature!)

"You should have spoken to Edgar, indeed you should, and compelled him to leave me quiet! Oh, I'm burning! I wish I were out of doors! I wish I were a girl again, half savage and hardy, and free; and laughing at injuries, not maddening under them! Why am I so changed? why does my blood rush into a hell of tumult at a few words? I'm sure I should be myself were I once among the heather on those hills. Open the window again wide: fasten it open! Quick, why don't you move?"

This is another quote from Catherine in chapter 12. This quotes uses the "human vs self" theme, and shows Catherine's change from a more "masculine", assertive woman (think Lady Macbeth) to the stereotypical woman at the time.

Heathcliff says "But, Nelly, if I knocked him down twenty times, that wouldn't make him less handsome or me more so. I wish I had light hair and a fair skin, and was dressed and behaved as well, and had a chance of being as rich as he will be!"

This is what Heathcliff says to Nelly in regards to Edgar Linton in Chapter 7. This shows Heathcliff's mistreatment as Edgar will always be perceived as the golden boy and Heathcliff will not, because of his race and orphaned upbringing. This is an example of the race and class lens.

"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."

This quote comes from Chapter 1 of the book. It is from Lockwood, who is in awe of the architecture and features of Wuthering Heights. The inscription of the door that reads 'Hareton Earnshaw 1500' raises Lockwood's eyebrows, and since at this point in the story, it is being told through Lockwood's perspective we are supposed to take note of this as well. This quote is also important as it takes place after all the events later in the novel have taken place. This is also our first impression of Heathcliff, who is portrayed as unapproachable, grumpy, and impatient. It should also be noted that he is in a position of power as a landlord.

"'It is strange,' I began, in the interval of swallowing one cup of tea and receiving another—'it is strange how custom can mould our tastes and ideas: many could not imagine the existence of happiness in a life of such complete exile from the world as you spend, Mr. Heathcliff; yet, I'll venture to say, that, surrounded by your family, and with your amiable lady as the presiding genius over your home and heart—'"

This quote comes from Chapter 2 of the book and is from Lockwood. This quote is significant because it highlights Lockwood's misunderstandings of familial relationships. This also establishes Lockwood as an unreliable narrator, as we the readers know that his thoughts are false.

"I remember the master, before he fell into a doze, stroking her bonny hair—it pleased him rarely to see her gentle—and saying, 'Why canst thou not always be a good lass, Cathy?' And she turned her face up to his, and laughed, and answered, 'Why cannot you always be a good man, father?' But as soon as she saw him vexed again, she kissed his hand, and said she would sing him to sleep. She began singing very low, till his fingers dropped from hers, and his head sank on his breast."

This quote comes from Chapter 5, and is spoken by Nelly. Throughout Chaptter 5, Nelly is recounting the childhood of Catherine and Heathcliff. This shows Cathy's personal dilemma of being the perfect "good lass" and "daddy''s girl" stereotype, while trying to be her own bold self. This also offers a glimpse into Heathcliff and Catherine's relationship.

"'You must exchange horses with me: I don't like mine; and if you won't I shall tell your father of the three thrashings you've given me this week, and show him my arm, which is black to the shoulder.' Hindley put out his tongue, and cuffed him over the ears. 'You'd better do it at once,' he persisted, escaping to the porch (they were in the stable): 'you will have to: and if I speak of these blows, you'll get them again with interest.'"

This quote comes from Heathcliff in chapter 4. This quote is significant as it shows how Heathcliff is beginning to manipulate people... (in this case Hindley) to achieve his personal desires. (A parallel to Macbeth). It also adds to the theme of how everyone has a villainous side to them, as Heathcliff who throughout the story is painted as a hero, is being shown to us as manipulative.

We've braved its ghosts often together, and dared each other to stand among the graves and ask them to come. But, Heathcliff, if I dare you now, will you venture? If you do, I'll keep you. I'll not lie there by myself: they may bury me twelve feet deep, and throw the church down over me, but I won't rest till you are with me. I never will!'

This quote is from Catherine in chapter 12 who says she and Heathcliff will never be separated.

"The fellow approached and gave the chair on which Linton rested a push. [Heathcliff] better have kept his distance: [Edgar] quickly sprang erect, and struck him full on the throat a blow that would have levelled a slighter man. It took his breath for a minute; and while he choked, Mr. Linton walked out by the back door into the yard, and from thence to the front entrance."

This quote is from Chapter 11 and describes how Edgar and Heathcliff have turn physical. This shows how much he wants to marry Catherine and not Heathcliff.

"In vapid listlessness I leant my head against the window, and continued spelling over Catherine Earnshaw—Heathcliff—Linton, till my eyes closed; but they had not rested five minutes when a glare of white letters started from the dark, as vivid as spectres—the air swarmed with Catherines; and rousing myself to dispel the obtrusive name, I discovered my candle-wick reclining on one of the antique volumes, and perfuming the place with an odour of roasted calf-skin."

This quote is from Chapter 3, and is once again told by Lockwood. This quote also further gives Lockwood the role as the "reader in the book"-- he is the detective that tries to answer questions that we as the readers have. This is also talking about one of the troubling, mysterious dreams he had in Catherine's bed.

"Mr. Hindley came home to the funeral; and—a thing that amazed us, and set the neighbours gossiping right and left—he brought a wife with him. What she was, and where she was born, he never informed us: probably, she had neither money nor name to recommend her, or he would scarcely have kept the union from his father."

This quote is from Chapter 6 and is from Nelly. She explains how Hindley returns to Wuthering Heights with an unknown wife. This is uncommon for the time given Hindley's rich background that his father would arrange to find a bride for Hindley, but Nelly says it came as a surpise and sent the neighborhood into a tailspin.

[Hindley] had room in his heart only for two idols—his wife and himself: he doted on both, and adored one, and I couldn't conceive how he would bear the loss.

This quote is in chapter 8 and is told by Nelly, who explains how Frances was such an important person to Hindley and how unbearably painful this death is for him.