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A review by pagesandproses
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
4.0
This was my second time reading a classic. I knew the language would be quite difficult to comprehend. The sentence structure and lengthy sentences eventually grow on you.✨
The first few chapters were difficult to fare through but once I persevered and got through chapter ten, I could carry on with ease.
The MCs, Heathcliff and Catherine I are both marred and flawed. They’re extremely repulsive yet there are moments when you end up sympathising with them. They both may appear despicable but you won’t find it in yourself to blame them for their actions. They’ve both been subjects to abuse and societal iniquities which end up shaping both their characters.
The younger generation exhibits incredible contrast to their predecessors. They’re more considerate and mature in their manners. Hareton and Cathy II finally break free of the vicious web of oppression and manipulation woven by their ancestors.
The narration is based on hearsay; Mrs. Dean, the housekeeper, first related her experiences which are put forth to the reader by Mr. Lockwood. There may have been biased redactions on each of their parts and even on mine as the reader.
The two houses, Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange house occupants befitting the reputations of their dwellings. Earnshaws are reckless and brutal whereas the Lintons are quiet and peaceful in their disposition. The stark contrast in their tempers only fueled the inferno between the families.
Beginning with Mr. Earnshaw, even though he brought an orphaned and estranged child home to foster, he did not show tenderness to his children. The physical abuse he resorted to became an example for his eldest son, Hindley. After the death of Mr. Earnshaw, Hindley became montrous in his ways and flogged Heathcliff and Cathy when they stepped out of lines. Hindley himself couldn’t be blamed if we take in the factors which led him to tread this path.
Catherine, in her childhood, was an innocent and likeable character. She portrayed all traits of a good friend and companion but her innocence soon began getting clouded with societal norms and image. The more closer she grew to the Lintons, the more the fog settled. She had started losing Heathcliff and thereby by extension, herself. (Because he’s more herself than she is.)
My biggest vexation wasn’t even abuse and miscommunication between the characters, it was the constant blaming and guilt tripping which got me. I couldn’t bear the amount of mental damages they were doing to others just by giving speeches on death and how their suffering was exhilarating for the other. This is the only part where I felt like throwing the book away and never reaching for it again. And this is probably why I will not give it a five star rating.
I had an eventful time reading this tale; all the while torn up to pick a side. The thing to remember, though, is that there is no right or wrong here. This is the dichotomy between like and unlike. You cannot tip the scales on either side by weighing their morals because it’s subjective. You’ll have to witness the up and down even after completing the story. At least I still am.
The first few chapters were difficult to fare through but once I persevered and got through chapter ten, I could carry on with ease.
The MCs, Heathcliff and Catherine I are both marred and flawed. They’re extremely repulsive yet there are moments when you end up sympathising with them. They both may appear despicable but you won’t find it in yourself to blame them for their actions. They’ve both been subjects to abuse and societal iniquities which end up shaping both their characters.
The younger generation exhibits incredible contrast to their predecessors. They’re more considerate and mature in their manners. Hareton and Cathy II finally break free of the vicious web of oppression and manipulation woven by their ancestors.
The narration is based on hearsay; Mrs. Dean, the housekeeper, first related her experiences which are put forth to the reader by Mr. Lockwood. There may have been biased redactions on each of their parts and even on mine as the reader.
The two houses, Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange house occupants befitting the reputations of their dwellings. Earnshaws are reckless and brutal whereas the Lintons are quiet and peaceful in their disposition. The stark contrast in their tempers only fueled the inferno between the families.
Beginning with Mr. Earnshaw, even though he brought an orphaned and estranged child home to foster, he did not show tenderness to his children. The physical abuse he resorted to became an example for his eldest son, Hindley. After the death of Mr. Earnshaw, Hindley became montrous in his ways and flogged Heathcliff and Cathy when they stepped out of lines. Hindley himself couldn’t be blamed if we take in the factors which led him to tread this path.
Catherine, in her childhood, was an innocent and likeable character. She portrayed all traits of a good friend and companion but her innocence soon began getting clouded with societal norms and image. The more closer she grew to the Lintons, the more the fog settled. She had started losing Heathcliff and thereby by extension, herself. (Because he’s more herself than she is.)
My biggest vexation wasn’t even abuse and miscommunication between the characters, it was the constant blaming and guilt tripping which got me. I couldn’t bear the amount of mental damages they were doing to others just by giving speeches on death and how their suffering was exhilarating for the other. This is the only part where I felt like throwing the book away and never reaching for it again. And this is probably why I will not give it a five star rating.
I had an eventful time reading this tale; all the while torn up to pick a side. The thing to remember, though, is that there is no right or wrong here. This is the dichotomy between like and unlike. You cannot tip the scales on either side by weighing their morals because it’s subjective. You’ll have to witness the up and down even after completing the story. At least I still am.