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This page contains the analysis of our main passage.
AP Prompt From this passage, construct a well organzied essay discussing the speaker's attitude toward the present situation using literary devices such as diction, imagery, metaphors, and form. Diction 1) Level of language - Bronte uses informal language to make sure every event is clear and understandable to readers. Bronte uses words that are indigenous to her place of residence, that readers are mostly infamiliar with, but the language is still considered informal. "After exchanging numerous marks of fondness with him, his cousin went to Mr. Heathcliff...pretending, that is, to observe the latter, and really noting the former alone." (198) 2) Predominant connontation of language - Bronte uses negative words to display Heathcliff's manipulative intentions toward young Cathy. He claims that he and Edgar "quarrelled" because "Mr. Linton has a prejudice against me" (199). Bronte uses Heathcliff as the villain to display his deep and unending feelings on fulfilling his vengenance. 3) Predominant evocation of words - Heathcliff manipulates Cathy into believing that it was Edgar's fault the he was miserable and couldn't be with Catherine. Also, Heathcliff badly influences Hareton to fulfill his vengenanceono Hindley. "I've got him faster than his scoundrel of a father secured me, and lower; for he takes a pride in his brutishness"(201).
Syntax 1) Patterns - Repetition of negative words and connotations to emphasize Heathcliff's suffering and hatred. Also, repetition of irony appears in Heathcliff's personal discussion with the narrator. Heathcliff admits to the speaker that "I'd have loved the lad had he been some one else" (199). The narrator points out this irony to make readers sympathize with the corrupted Hareton. Although Heathcliff loves Hareton like a son, he forces himself to hate Hareton and degrade him for being the son of his late enemy, Hindley Earnshaw. 2) Mixture of sentences - Bronte uses a mixture of various types of sentences. She uses compound or lengthy sentences to either elaborately describe a character or event; the brief sentences serve to bluntly state the point at hand in dialogue or narration. 3) Punctuation - Bronte frequently uses dashes, semicolons, and colons to provide further explanation of an action, character, or preceding thought. The dashses and colons also serve as a pause in thought before the speaker continues her narration or with dialogue. "Nelly, you recollect me at his age - nay, some years younger. Did I ever look so stupid: so 'gaumless', as Joseph calls it" (201).
Point of View 1) Proximity of Speaker - The speaker uses first person, making Nelly's observations and claims more believable to readers. This type of approach appeals to the reader's sense of emotions because of the physical violence and first hand encounters the speaker experiences throughout her visit at the Heights with Cathy. 2) Persona of Narrator - The narrator strikes readers as a very patient, understanding, and somewhat neutral individual to all characters. Although the speaker has strong opinions, she listens thoroughly to all sides of the story and observes carefully before speaking her mind. She is extremely protective of what she believes is right and is quick to defend others, caring little about what happens to her. 3) Tone - The narrator's tone exemplifies frustration, anger, and fear towards Heathcliff's unstable and ruthless behavior. The narrator displays her disappointment in Heathcliff's harsh intentions of harming Cathy, Linton, and Hareton just to have revenge on a person who no longer living and to degrade Edgar by taking away his land. 4)Method of Organizing - The passage is organized from least important to most important. The narrator states facts, occurrences, and obersvations in the first part of each thought or statement. Then, it expands from there by the reinforcements of elaboration and references to the past similar to the action or event at hand. 5) Method of Conveying Theme - The speaker conveys the theme of fulfilling vengeance through her observations of Heathcliff and his statements. Only when the speaker and Heathcliff are alone does he tell the truth of his intentiions. Heathcliff confesses that he forced Hareton to endure the same suffering and develop the same attitude towards others just as Heathcliff endured in the past under Hindley's care. He also admits that he only wants Cathy to stay so Linton can court her - hinting a marriage in the future. The speaker now understands that their marriage is the only way for Heathcliff to gain both the estates of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. 6) Method of Depicting Setting or Action - The narrator focuses all attention on the important actions taking place at the Heights, especially with Heathcliff's cruel intentions and involvement in the personal affairs of Cathy, Linton, and Hareton.
The narrator uses mainly visual pictures to paint an almost exact picture of the characters being observed. The narrator emphasizes the facial features to point out the mood and emotions of the character. In this way, readers can visualize a mental picture of how a character is reacting towards another character or an event. "The young man had been washing himself, as was visible by the glow on his cheeks, and his wetted hair" (200).
Language Bronte uses an extended metaphor to describe Heathcliff's purpose in using Linton as a tool to his plan of obtaining both estates. Hareton, on the other hand, is merely used to satisfy his unquenched revenge against Hindley Earnshaw. "...one is gold put to the use of paving-stones, and the other is tin polished to ape a service of silver" (201).
Themes in Wuthering Heights Love and Hate Passion versus Rational Love Ignorance versus Education Selfishness Manipulation Revenge
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