Wuthering Heights. You silly little novel.
Thanks for giving me nightmares.
Well, I presume this "reaction" is supposed to be leaning towards more of an academic angle, so I will refrain from getting too creative here. Let me put on my academic writing cap.
Wuthering Heights, written by Emily Bronte, proved to be another example of why I completely dislike romantic Victorian literature, and why I tend to refrain from picking up these kind of novels in the first place. The story, set in the first decades of the 19th century, alternates between the recital of a mangled and turbulent relationship between the moody, volatile Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, as well as the later life of Catherine's daughter, also named Catherine, and her relationships with cousin Linton, Hareton Junior, and Heathcliff himself. Told using a loose frame narrative, in which Thurshcross Grange tenant Mr. Lockwood has former servant Nelly Dean recite the life of these characters through several narratives, the plot weaves a complex tale of passion, love, revenge, and a portrayal of early Victorian life.
As my first sentence above states, I did not enjoy this novel at all. I slogged my way through all three hundred and sixty six pages, I was uninterested and unaffected by the character's actions, I seldom cared whether they lived or died, suffered or experienced life's greatest passions. In my opinion, the story lacks a hook, something to interest me from the very moment I open to the first page, to the last moment when I finish it. Granted, I have already admitted that I am not one to enjoy Victorian literature and am particularly opposed to romance novels, so this novel being a blend of both, was not something that made me exceptionally ecstatic. Despite my bias, I believe that the novel still lacked any investment in plot or characters for the reader to experience, as I found the story dry and boring, and the characters mainly annoying, attention-seeking, and thus, I was never invested and interested in their outcomes. Furthermore, I believe the addition of a frame narrative is was an unnecessary move by Bronte. Mr. Lockwood is rarely in the story's context, nonetheless its key events or points, and should not have been included in the first place. I figure him to be a waste of a character, he is given little description and time in this novel, but rather serves as a unnecessary addition. Rather, the story should have been told directly by Nelly Dean, without the use of a frame, and instead have her recite the life of Catherine I, Heathcliff, Catherine II, Edgar, Hareton and the rest of the bunch as an entire flashback without reverting back every few chapters to Lockwood's bedside.
Despite my beliefs, Bronte's 1847 novel, revolutionary in its time, is still part of the literary canon, thought by many to be highly controversial and a Victorian masterpiece. I, however, will be tucking this story back into my bookshelf, and probably never take it out again.
Sorry Ms. Howard.
It's okay--Bronte is not for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI actually really agree about the framing device: it was a nineteenth century convention that is now out of fashion (and for good reason). Lockwood is not engaging, and he seems to be a different species than Heathcliff and Catherine, with his milquetoast, tepid personality.
I first read this book when I was about fifteen or sixteen, and I fell in love with the poetry of the story of H and C. I think Bronte's prose is essentially about the same thing as Stephenie Meyer's--a ridiculous, over-the-top, all consuming love. But in Bronte's case the language elevates that story, as opposed to...sparkling vampires. I will be curious to see how you find Emily's sister's work later on the course...Jane is definitely the polar opposite of the Catherines...
Good evening Gaby,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post, although I do disagree with you as I personally enjoyed the book. (: However, I have to say I'm happy you trudged through the multiple-hundreds of pages instead of just giving up on this novel. Hopefully you enjoyed at least a couple of pages. I do agree that it seemed kind of odd that Mr. Lockwood was not really a major part of the story, except for the end which was touching in itself. In a way, I can see where you are coming from in citing a lack of plot in Wuthering Heights as it seems to be a window into Catherine I/II's, Heathcliff's, and Edgar's lives and arguably without one defined protagonist and antagonist. Your post was insightful and made me think more about the novel. Overall, it was well written and I enjoyed your reaction and criticism of the novel.
- Andrew