Wuthering Heights

[SWScorch]

Has anyone here read the novel Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte? I had to read it for AP English, and it has become one of my favorite books of all time. It surpassed even Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms" as my favorite book that I've read in school. WH is so compelling; its so dark and brooding and enthralling... Heathscliff is such an interesting character: he is simultaneously evil and yet his evil actions were fueled by his destroyed love for catherine.

As a matter of fact, I liked this book so much I decided to write my final research paper on Heathcliff. My thesis statement: "In the novel Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte, Heathcliff exhibits a strange duality, both in his feelings toward Catherine, and in his behavior and thoughts after her death. On one hand, he seemed sadistic and almost demonical, but on the other hand, his love for Catherine remained the dominant force in his life."

I have around 60-70 pages of printed text on this topic, and a book that I found that is filled with nothing but essays and journal entries on Heathcliff. This is gonna be fun!

 

[pyonir]

haven't read it. but because you seem to talk so highly of it, i shall add it to my list.

 

[StageLeft]

Are you gay?

j/k


Well, not really are you?

j/k

We were supposed to read it but I always thought it sounded too boring so I didn't bother

 

[Electric Amish]

I didn't read any Bronte stuff.

I read some Jane Austen. Bleh!

Joseph Conrad and Thomas Hardy were my favorites in AP Literature.

amish

 

[GTaudiophile]

Dude, that book was like pulling teeth (had to read it for the same class in HS too)! As bad as Tess of the D'Ubervilles by Thomas Hardy! Read something real by like James Joyce!

I think I ended up resorting to Cliff

 

[kgraeme]

Do you watch soap operas too?

The writing is amazing. But it's a glorified victorian soap opera and that just doesn't thrill me. Of course, if you haven't read it I also recommend Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.

 

[StageLeft]

As bad as Tess of the D'Ubervilles by Thomas Hardy!

Is that like a crappier version of the hound of the baskervilles?

 

[linuxboy]

An excellent piece from the dark times of descendental romanticism. I've always enjoyed Bronte, all of them actually for the richness of expression, particularly as they explore the fine line between sanity and normalcy, often leading the reader to new and unexplored parts of their own selves.

Austen produced excellent works of manners and propriety, also worthwhile reading. Conrad preceded Joyce and each have merits. Joyce defined what streamofconsciousnessmeant and what modernism and science brought about for the religious man. Hardy was good too.

I guess everyone has their favorites though. Yeah, I did like wuthering heights.

Cheers !

 

[SWScorch]

Skoorb, its not boring at all. It is very dark, and extraordinarily gripping. It is very sententious and difficult to read at first, but once you get used to bronte's loquacious style, its a very good read. A very profound look into the effects of love, and hatred, and the brutal conflicts between the two, and how closely they are related. Believe me, its good. Cliffnotes dont do it justice.

WH might be a predecessor to the soap opera, but its a lot more profound and a hell of a lot darker. I've yet to see a soap opera where the protagonist remarks that an "evening's slow vivisection" of his son and niece would cause him unspeakable pleasure.

(and no I'm not gay )

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: kgraeme
Do you watch soap operas too?

The writing is amazing. But it's a glorified victorian soap opera and that just doesn't thrill me. Of course, if you haven't read it I also recommend Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.

Good call.

James Joyce was good as well.

Tess of the d'Urbervilles was kinda long and drawn out.

No, Skoorb not quite.

amish

 

[bizmark]

Yes, I found it very gripping as well. And it was a fairly quick read too. Too bad I read it a few summers ago and it's all mixed up in my head with Jane Eyre. Oh well, just more reason to read it again

 

[Calundronius]

Read it back in high school, for senior lit. I was lucky to have a really cool teacher for that class. As for the book, it was creepy enough, for sure. I remember some standup comedian who had a bit about "scary love"...everytime I see that part of his act on Comedy Central, I think about this book.
By the way, my teacher (who went on to get his doctorate) pointed out that Bronte had studied under Lord Byron, a poet who did a lot of work with vampires. My teacher went on to show how there were a lot of vampire-esque elements to the story. Interesting stuff, although I wouldn't call the book a favorite.

 

[joe678]

made me read it in high school. i couldnt get past like 3 pages, i couldnt even get through the video...i ended up making up a paper and avoiding all specific questions...ahhh high school...the good ol' days...

 

[AreaCode707]

Mmm, delectable book, rich and dark, like chocolate. The narrative style was one I particularly enjoyed, the point of view switches. And the characters, at their fascinating extremes, are wonderful. Might I ask, have you read The Hunchback of Notre Dame? Definitely one to add to your list, if you enjoy the classics.