Passages

Page #s

Comments & Questions

“Mr. Lockwood, your new tenant, sir. I do myself the honor of calling as soon as possible after my arrival, to express the hope that I have not inconvenienced you  by my perseverance in soliciting the occupation of Thrushcross Grange...”

“Thrushcrosss Grange is my own, sir,” He interrupted, wincing. “I should not allow anyone to inconvenience me, if I could hinder it- walk in!”

9

Judging by the words of Heathcliff, he seems like a harsh person. I have also gathered so far that Lockwood is renting Thrushcross Grange from Heathcliff. (E)

“I can sleep on the chair in this room,” I replied.

“No, no! A stranger is a stranger, be he rich or poor; it will not suit me to permit anyone the range of the place while I am off guard!” said the unmannerly wretch.’’

22

Heathcliff is definitely not a nice person, as I predicted. He does not seem to trust Lockwood to stay in his home. I wonder why. He seems very possessive of his property. (CL) (Q)

“It was covered with writing scratched on the paint. This writing, however, was nothing but a name repeated in all kinds of characters, large and small- Catherine Earnshaw, here and there varied to Catherine Heathcliff, and then again to Catherine Linton.”

24

I find this passage very interesting. Who is this Catherine? How is she related to Heathcliff? Why is she written with 3 different last names? I believe this might be why Zillah said that Heathcliff did not want people in this chamber. (CL) (Q)

“Come in! Come in!” he sobbed. “Cathy, do come. Oh, do- once more! Oh! My heart’s darling! Hear me this time, Catherine, at last!”

33

Heathcliff is yelling for “Catherine” out the window while crying. I believe this was his wife or child. I assume that something bad happened to Catherine and he misses her, and this was once her room. (P) 

“This was Heathcliff’s first introduction to the family... Miss Cathy and he were now very thick, but Hindley hated him, and to say the truth I did the same.”

42

Mrs. Dean, the servant, tells Lockwood about how Catherine’s dad, Mr. Earnshaw, was her master long ago. Heathcliff was an orphan taken in by the Earnshaws and he and Catherine were best friends. This solves my questions about the names written in the book, earlier in the story. Catherine’s maiden name was Earnshaw and I assume she marries Heathcliff. (CL) (P)

“She was much too fond of Heathcliff. The greatest punishment we could invent for her was to keep her separate from him, yet she chided more than any of us on his account.”

46

I have gathered that Heathcliff and Catherine are inseparable, but yet she talks badly about him at the same time. She clearly liked him, but I think Catherine feels too good to be with Heathcliff, based on the way they describe him. (E)

“What culpable carelessness in her brother!” exclaimed Mr. Linton, turning from me to Catherine. “I’ve understood from Shielders that he lets her grow up in absolute heathenism.”

53

I learned that the Lintons lived at Thrushcross Grange, where Lockwood is at while being told this story. What happened to the Lintons? He also refers to Catherine as a heathen. Knowing what it was like in this time period, it probably wasn’t acceptable for her to run around and play as she does. She probably was expected to be very ladylike. (C) (Q)

“Cathy stayed at Thrushcross Grange five weeks, till Christmas. By that time her ankle was thoroughly cured, and her manners were much improved. The mistress visited her often with fine clothes and flattery, which she took readily..”

55

Cathy was taught to be more proper while at the Grange. I wonder if this will stick as she settles in back home. (Q)

“Why, how very black and cross you look! And how- funny and grim! But that’s because I’m used to Edgar and Isabella Linton. Well Heathcliff, have you forgotten me?”

“I shall not stand to be laughed at. I shall not bear it!”

57

Her new ‘manners’ did in fact stick. Heathcliff is mad at Cathy for her remarks about him. This shocks me and makes me think poorly of Cathy. Heathcliff was her best friend and shes’ constantly talking negatively of him. (CL) (E)

“I’m trying to settle how I shall pay Hindley back. I don’t care how long I wait, if I can only do it at last. I hope he will not die before I do!”

64

Heathcliff really wants revenge on Hindley because of his treatment towards him, which is the reason why people think so low of him. I think Heathcliff blames Hindley for his inability to impress Catherine like Edgar does. (R)

“Doubtless Catherine marked the difference between her friends, as one came in and the other went out. The contrast resembled what you see in exchanging a bleak, hilly, coal country for a beautiful fertile valley; and his voice and greeting were as opposite as his aspect.”

72

Catherine compares Heathcliff and Edgar. I think this passage shows how she takes a liking to the both of them, for different reasons. That is how human nature works, not just for Catherine. Our feelings don’t always make sense. Heathcliff is the coal country and Edgar is the beautiful valley. (R)

“My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I’m well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of visible delight, but necessary. I am Heathcliff! He’s always, always, in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being. So don’t talk of our separation again: it is impracticable.”

84

Catherine is marrying Linton because he will benefit her the most, with his social rank and money. She doesn’t think this marriage will affect her and Heathcliff and doesn’t see it as a betrayal because she sees them as one and the same. I think Catherine is being foolish and this will end any hope of her and Heathcliff being together. (P) (E)

“Tell her what Heathcliff is: an unreclaimed creature without refinement, without cultivation, an arid wilderness of furze and whinstone.”

102

Heathcliff visits Thrushcross Grange after 3 years and Isabella expresses that she loves him. I think these words are Catherine’s way of convincing her not to marry him, because she will be jealous. Looking back at what she said when she wanted to marry Edgar, I don’t think she expected Heathcliff to marry another. (C) (R)

“I want you to be aware that I know you have treated me infernally- infernally! Do you hear? And if you flatter yourself that I don’t perceive it, you are a fool; and if you think I can be consoled by sweet words, you are an idiot.”

112

Heathcliff blew up at Catherine finally and this made me happy. Catherine’s treatment reminds me of a lot of people today. We don’t want to see others do well without us or move on. However, he makes it known he’s going to marry Isabella, which I feel is for revenge against Edgar. If Edgar dies, he gets the Grange. (R) (P)

“Among his books!” she cried, confounded “And I am dying! I on the brink of the grave! My God! Does he know how I am altered?”

120

Catherine wants people to feel sorry for her in this situation. She wants people to worry about her, as she feels unimportant. It is human nature to act out for attention when we feel neglected. (C)

‘I do hate him- I am wretched- I have been a fool! Beware of uttering one break of this to anyone at the Grange. I shall expect you every day- don’t dissapoint me!”

143

Isabella wrote to Mrs. Dean saying how horrible Heathcliff is to her and how she hates him. This confirms my suspicions that he did not marry her for the right reasons. He cannot love another as he loves Catherine. (CL) 

“You teach me how cruel you’ve been- cruel and false. Why did you despise me? Why did you betray your own heart, Cathy? I have not one word of comfort. You deserve this. You have killed yourself. Yes, you may kiss me, and cry; and wring out my kisses and tears.... You loved me- then what right had you to leave me?”

158

Heathcliff’s words here are important to the entire story, as it feels their “love” story is coming to an end. They never got to be together and Catherine’s actions promised that. Now that she is dying, I see how Heathcliff feels- betrayed. (E)

“About 12 o'clock that night, was born the Catherine you saw at wuthering heights; a puny, seven months’ child; and two hours after the mother died, having never recovered sufficient consciousness to miss Heathcliff or know Edgar.”

160

The pieces all came together here, and my questions from earlier are answered. Catherine died after childbirth and her child, Young Catherine, was the one at the window that Lockwood saw. This passage ties the past and present together. (C)

“You said I killed you- haunt me then!.. Be with me always- take any form- drive me mad! Only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh God! It is unutterable! I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!”

164

Heathcliff begs Catherine to not leave him alone and to haunt him so she is still with him. Perhaps her child that she left behind is what haunts Heathcliff, referring back to how he acted when she was at the window. (P)

“In that manner Hareton, who should now be the first gentleman in the neighborhood, was reduced to a state of complete dependence on his father’s inveterate enemy, and lives in his own house as a servant...”

182

Heathcliff finally got the revenge and power he wanted. He finds pleasure in raising Hareton how Hindly forced Heathcliff to be. I find this very sad. (E)

“Who is his master?” continued the tiresome girl, appealing to me. “He talked about ‘our house’ and ‘our folk’. I thought he had been the owner's son. And he never said, Miss; he should have done, shouldn’t he, if he’s a servant?”

189

It is clear to me that Young Cathy is very sheltered. Her attitude here reminds me of Catherine’s and her treatment to Heathcliff when she first came back to Wuthering Heights. (C)

“Don’t leave me! I’ll not stay here! I’ll not stay here!”

202

This part broke my heart. Heathcliff has become incredibly greedy, only caring about what he owns and referring to his son as his property. If I were Nelly, I would not be able to walk away. (E)

“My design is as honest as possible. I’ll inform you of its whole scope,” he said. “That the two cousins fall in love, and get married. I’m acting generously to your master; his young chit has no expectations, and should she second my wishes, she’ll be provided for at once as a joint successor with Linton.”

207

This passage makes me feel sick because he is using the love of his life’s daughter as a tool to get more property. Does Heathcliff not care about anything besides owning property? Does he not care for people? (Q)

“I didn’t! I didn’t!” Sobbed Cathy, fit to break her heart. “I didn’t once think of loving him until-”

218

This passage reminds me of Catherine and Heathcliff. Yet again, in different circumstances, there are two people who are in love but can’t be together. However, I’m glad Nelly burned the letters so Heathcliff may not get his way. (R)

“Cathy, beside herself, gave the chair a violent push, and caused him to fall against one arm. He was immediately seized by a suffocating cough that soon ended his triumph.”

229

This passage seems to relate back to earlier in the story when Catherine hit Edgar before they had gotten engaged. Cathy seems just like her mother. (E)

“In vain she wept and writhed against the interdict, and implored her father to have pity on Linton. All she got to comfort her was a promise that he would write and give him leave to come to the Grange when he pleased. But explaining that he must no longer expect to see Catherine at Wuthering Heights. Perhaps, had he been aware of his nephew's disposition and health, he would have seen fit to withhold even that slight consolation.”

244

I am surprised that Nelly acts completely different here. She told Edgar about Cathy and Linton but leaves out the important detail of his health. I suspect this issue is going to cause a lot more problems if his health gets worse. (E) (P)

“These things happened last winter, sir,” said Mrs. Dean. “Hardly more than a year ago. Last winter, I did not think, at another twelve months end, I should be amusing a stranger to the family with relating them! Yet, who knows how long you’ll be a stranger?”

244

I am confused. Why does Lockwood all the sudden express interest in loving Catherine? Perhaps the book ends up with Lockwood and Cathy falling in love. (P) (Q)

“Catherine, I’m a traitor too, and I dare not tell you! But leave me and I shall be killed! Dear Catherine, my life is in your hands: and you have said you loved me, and if you did, it wouldn’t harm you, You’ll not go then?”

254

If I were Linton, I would be scared for my life, but also wouldn’t want to betray myself. I also would hate to be Cathy, as Linton’s life lies in her hands. Heathcliff will kill Linton if he does not marry Catherine. Once again, all Heathcliff cares about is his own advantages and he is using his son for this. (E)

“You know, I was wild after she dies, and eternally, from dawn to dawn, praying her to return me- her spirit-I have a strong faith in ghosts: I have a conviction that they can, and do exist among us!”

275

I find it sad that he is basically saying what he said when Catherine first died. Their love is still there even if she is dead. He can still feel here there. (E) (C)

“You see, Mr. Lockwood, it was easy enough to win Mrs. Heathcliff’s heart. But now, I’m glad you did not try. The crown of all my wishes will be the union of those two. I shall envy no one on their wedding day- there won’t be a happier woman than myself in England!”

300

I’m kind of shocked at how fast all this information is coming out. Based on Nelly’s words in this passage, Catherine and Hareton marrying is a good decision, and she wants them to be together. (e) 

“My confessions have not relieved me, but they may account for some otherwise unaccountable phases of humor which I show. O, God! It is a long fight. I wish it were over!”

308

I think this passage is beginning to show a resolution to the entire story. Heathcliff was not a good person and he is getting his karma, after how much damage he did to everybody. (E)

“They won’t do that,” He replied, “If they did, you must have me removed secretly, and if you neglect it you shall prove, practically, that the dead are not annihilated!”

320

I believe that he is trying to say that Heathcliff must be buried next to Catherine or else he will haunt them. It is sad but also ironic that Heathcliff and Catherine only end up together once they are both dead. (CL)

Passages from the text

Pg #s

Comments and Questions

“I am now quite cured of seeking pleasure in society, be it country or town. A sensible man ought to find sufficient company in himself.” 

Pg 28

(E) This quote makes it seem that Lockwood has a need to be alone. This sets the tone for the writing of the book. The author sets a tone for solitude with the setting and the characters. It says a lot about the book that the town and people are all living in solitude. It makes the connections people have make more sense. 

“Healthcliff was hard to discover, at first. If he was careless and uncared for, before Catherine’s absence, he had been ten times more so since.”

Pg 56

( R ) When we love people in our lives, even when we wish it isn’t true, sometimes their absence makes us worse off before. Heathcliff was worse without the woman he loved, as are many of us. He was tortured with the fact that Catherine was no longer around to keep him happy and entertained. 

“...whatever our souls are made of his and mine are the same..” 

Pg 73

( C ) I have seen this quote in my favorite book, it’s actually very special to me. I know it’s silly to be young and relate this quote to my life, but they’re is a specific person that always makes me think of this. This quote has been one of the most romantic phrases I have ever heard. Its use in Wuthering Heights is a perfect description of the characters emotions. I think the people we love most and are the most attached to are the people we find pieces of ourselves in. 

“Two words would comprehend my future - death and hell; existence, after losing her, would be hell.”

Pg 147

(p) This quote makes it seems like Emily is going to die, and for some reason Heathcliff is obsessed with the thought of dying. He foreshadows her death in different ways. He talks about many peoples death, even his own as if he’s prepared for it. He doesn’t care even if she tortures him in her afterlife, as long as that means she’ll still be around him. 

“ I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!”

Pg 153

(E) Heathcliff is so obsessed with Catherine that he will cause her death as long as that means she’ll haunt him. I guess that’s the irony, that they can only truly be together in death. He is mad, because he knows she could have been with him if she wasn’t concerned with social class. This makes him angry yet still, he cannot live without her. Her death causes such pain that he wishes to be haunted if that means he can see her once again.  

“I’ve recovered from my first desire to be killed by him- I’d rather he’d kill himself! He has extinguished my love effectually, and so I’m at my ease.”

Pg 168

(Q) I guess they say there's a thin line between love and hate, but this book shows it at an extreme. I don’t understand how they can hate each other so much, yet also love each other? They go back and forth so much during the book it’s hard to see the true emotions they feel towards each other. All you can see is extreme passion. I suppose a lifetime of care & love will do that to a person.

“My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I’m well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff!”

Pg 82

(E) This quote is Catherine's explanation to Nelly as to why she accepted Linton's proposal. Catherine relates her love/emotion for Linton and Heathcliff with nature, which is one of Emily Bronte’s writing techniques. She relates herself to Heathcliff as they’re one, which brings up Catherine's problems with self awareness. It refers to the thought we have that when people are married or in love that they become part of one being. Catherine ponders if that is true or not. Edgar was the obvious choice to her due to social class. As a young lady she knew in order to have money and class she had to marry a proper young man. That always hurt Heathcliff that she had chosen status over their love. 

“My son is prospective owner of your place, and I should not wish him to die till I was certain of being his successor. Besides, he's mine, and I want the triumph of seeing my descendant fairly lord of their estates; my child hiring their children to till their fathers' lands for wages. That is the sole consideration which can make me endure the whelp:I despise him for himself, and hate him for the memories he revives!”

Pg 201

(E) Heathcliff seems to be all about revenge. He doesn’t care for his own son because he only married his mother for revenge. Not to mention he wanted to get back at Edgar Linton for marrying Catherine. Hindley becomes the main owner of Wuthering Heights. When Hindley makes Heathcliff be a servant due to his extreme jealousy that his father favored him, his anger elevated. He held anger all of his life, and had set a plan to make him the owner of Wuthering Heights and Grange. He forces his son to pretend to be in love with baby Catherine just so he can become the owner of both estates. He wished to stay alive just to see their heirs work for his. He has very malicious intent. 

“He’s your son. But I’m glad I’ve a better, to forgive it; and I know he loves me, and for that reason I love him. Mr.Heathcliff, you have nobody to love you, and, however miserable you make us, we shall still have the revenge of thinking that your cruelty arises from your greater misery!”

Pg 273

(E) Edgar has just died and Little Catherine is mad at Heathcliff for beating down Linton so much. He is obsessed with revenge that he had a child for it, and it has resulted in him hating him. He treats the child worse than he treated his dead wife. Catherine sticks up for the man she loves. Little does she know Linton is only pretending to be in love with her for his father’s fantasy. Catherine knows Heathcliff is tortured by himself. It’s sad because she does not know the truth about her and Linton's relationship. It just shows how twisted and sick Heathcliff truly is.  

“My old enemies have beaten me; now would be the precise time to revenge myself on their representatives-I could do it, and none could me. But where is the use? I don’t care for striking, I can’t take the trouble to raise my hand.”

Pg 336

( R ) Heathcliff wasted his life pursuing a fantasy of revenge and ended up just wasting his time. He finally becomes exhausted with the constant need for revenge. The spell is broken, and peace finally returns to Wuthering Heights. In the real world, most people complain about wasting their life on something that isn’t meaningful.This was an important lesson to be learned from this book. Life shouldn’t be wasted on such frivolous things like revenge. But that’s the mistake that most people make. Having the wrong focus. 

Passage

Page #

Journal

“I know, by instinct, his reserve springs from an aversion to showy displays of feeling- to manifestations of mutual kindliness. He’ll love and hate equally under cover , and esteem it a species of impertinence to be loved or hated again.”

11

(E)  Lockwood seems very observant and curious. He is quickly judgemental and attempts to understand Heathcliff at a glance. Lockwood determines that Heathcliff has been hurt before or that he hides his feelings. 

“He held the knife in his hand, and pushed its point between my teeth; but, for my part, I was never much afraid of his vagaries. I spat out, and affirmed it tasted detestably- I would not take it on any account.”

76

(E) (Q) Hindley has become overcome by emotion and hatred and has changed a lot from the character he was in the beginning of the book. At the start he was a jealous child and desired to be more accepted by his family. As he aged, he became bitter and drunken. This is a huge character change for Hindley because his threat of violence shows a shift from jealousy and revenge to violence and outright hatred. 

“Mr. Linton, on his part, spent his time in the library, and did not inquire concerning his wife’s occupations. Isabelle and he had had an hour’s interview, during which he tried to elicit from her some sentiment of proper horror for Heathcliff’s advances; but he could make nothing of her evasive replies, and was obliged to close the examination unsatisfactorily, adding, however, a solemn warning, that if she were so insane as to encourage that worthless suitor, it would dissolve all bonds of relationship between herself and him.”

118-119

(P)(E) Linton’s hatred of Heathcliff extends far beyond what I thought it would. I think Linton’s hatred for Heathcliff wasn’t originally his own but his parents, which was passed down to him. He didn’t make his own judgements at first, and so there was a bias against Heathcliff even as they interacted as adults. This hatred to Heathcliff was confirmed due to their interactions as Linton was dating and marrying Catherine.  Even though Linton says he would disown his sister, I think that if she needed help or was in serious danger he would still come to help her because he deeply cares about her. If the Linton’s disapproval for Heathcliff began as children, how did Isabella get over it so quickly?

“And that was all he said on the subject: he did not make a single inquiry further, or mention her in any way, except directing me to send what property she ad in the house to her fresh home, wherever it was, when I knew it.”

132

(CL)(Q) I misevaluated Linton’s care for his sister. I thought that he would be excited for her contact with him, while he is actually quite cold and angry. I wonder if I missed something earlier in the book that could explain where this deep hatred for Heathcliff comes from and why it would extend to Isabella?

“Gimmerton was an unsubstantial name in her ears, the chapel, the only building she had approached or entered, except her own home. Wuthering heights and Mr. Heathcliff did not exist for her; ashe was a perfect recluse, and apparently, perfectly contented.” 

184

(E) Edgar Linton raising Catherine this way shows his commitment to his lifestyle rather than the life Catherine, Hindley, and Healthcliff were raised in at Wuthering Heights. Linton rejects all of the lifestyle of Heathcliff and desires for there to be no association. This helps to demonstrate just how deep the hatred between Linton and Heathcliff is. 

“God! what a beauty! what a lovely charming thing!” he exclaimed. “ Haven’t they reared it on snails and sour milk, Nelly? Oh, damn my soul! But that’s worse than I expected- and the devil knows I was not sanguine.”

200

(E) This is a defining moment for Heathcliff because even as he meets his son, he can love no one but Catherine. His love for Catherine is all-consuming, which is clearly shown in this passage. This passage truly shows how lost and desperate Heathcliff is and how much he relied on Catherine’s love. His inability to love his own son shows just how lost Heathcliff is in his own misery. 

“ “ ‘And the figures?’ I cried, encouragingly, perceiving that he came to a dead halt. 

“ ‘I cannot tell them yet,’ he answered. 

“ ‘Oh you dunce!’ I said, laughing heartily at his failure.

“The fool started with a grin hovering about his lips, and a scowl gathering over his eyes, as if uncertain whether he might not join in my mirth-whether it were not pleasant familiarity, or what it really was, contempt.”

239

(C)(E)Just how Catherine teased Heathcliff for his lack of education, Catherine’s daughter, Catherine, is doing the same to Hareton. Parallels between Catherine and Catherine are starting to come to light as they both treated a lower educated person in the same degrading way. 

“I am going to her; and you darling child shall come to us”; and never stirred or spoke again, but continued that rapt, radiant gaze, till his pulse imperceptibly stopped, and his soul departed. None could have noticed the exact minute of his death, it was so entirely without struggle.” 

270

(E) Edgar Linton’s love for Catherine extended far beyond her love for him. Catherine was more self-centered while Edgar loved Catherine whole-heartedly. His dying thoughts were about seeing her again. I feel like Edgar but a lot more effort and love into their relationship than his wife did. He was also so at peace with the way he had lived his life that he wasn’t afraid of death and instead completely embraced it. 

“He had his hand in her hair’ Hareton attempted to release the locks, entreating him not to hurt her that once. His black eyes flashed; he seemed ready to tear Catherine in pieces, and I was just worked up to risk coming to the rescue, when of a sudden, his fingers relaxed, he shifted his grasp form her heat to her arm, adn gazed intently in her face-Then, he drew his hand over his eyes, stood a moment to collect himself apparently, and turned anew to Catherine...”

304

(E)(CL)Heathcliff’s eternal love for Catherine prevented him from being able to harm Catherine’s daughter. His love became obsessive, but proved to benefit Catherine in the end. Heathcliff couldn’t bear to harm Catherine because she looked like her mother. His love for her mother extends beyond all things, and in this moment, to Catherine herself. 

“Last night I was on the threshold of hell. Today, I am within sight of my heaven.”

311

(R)(C) This passage shows where Heathcliff embraces his death and sees his death as a calming source rather than a source of distress. He says “my heaven” because he doesn’t have a religion he adheres to, but he has found where he is at peace. The time before that, he could not bring himself to accept his failures, successes, or anything in between, but that night changed him, and he was able to accept the inevitable and come to peace with his life. I think that as people age, they sometimes have this type of moment, where their mindsets change and they embrace life and what is left for them to do, instead of running from it or fearing it.