Comment on the way a sense of place is created in the first chapter of "Wuthering Heights"

by fizzy01 (student)

Comment on the way a sense of place is created in this passage. In your answer, focus on:

Bronte’s narrative voice
Bronte’s language choices

Mr. Heathcliff, a surly, ‘dark-skinned’ man living in a manor called Wuthering Heights - “wuthering” being a local adjective used to describe the fierce and wild winds that blow during storms on the moors. The use of the noun “dwelling” is used rather than house – why? This could be because maybe Mr Heathcliff doesn’t like living here or maybe it’s a farm house.

The passage from the first chapter is spoken in the voice of Lockwood, represents the mysterious figure of Heathcliff, using first of many attempts in the book to explain of Heathcliff; his character and motivations. During the first chapter, a reader discusses the question of his social position—is he a gentleman or a gypsy? This causes particular confusion. Further on the passage, it says Mr Heathcliff “love and hate equally” implying that he treats everyone equally even though he has a higher status.

The use of the metaphor and personification: ‘one may guess the power of the north wind blowing over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the end of the house, and a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun.’ By describing the "stunted firs," "gaunt thorns," and the ‘limbs’ which are all stretched one way, "as if craving alms of the sun", the author evokes a harsh, windswept landscape in our imagination. You can almost feel the north wind whipping about the cliffs.

...

This is a preview of the whole essay

The house is filled with “quantity of grotesque carving lavished” suggesting that it has lots of decorations. The word “grotesque” could also mean gargoyle – a grotesquely carved figure of a human or animal.

The place sounds very old as “one stop brought us into the family sitting-room, without any introductory lobby or passage” suggesting there is no passage or lobby in this house. At that time, not every household has a passage or lobby since it wasn’t stylish but is wealthy and well established.

More personification and sound imagery is used further on the chapter: “at least I distinguished a chatter of tongues, and a clatter of culinary utensils… surrounded by a swarm of squealing puppies”. The use of the verbs “chatter”, “clatter” and “swarm” helps to make the imagery that Bronte uses vivid. It enables the reader to picture the place Bronte creates in this passage.

Not only has Bronte used sound imagery, she has also used colour imagery to set the scene: “the floor was smooth, white stone; the chairs, high-backed, primitive structures, painted green: one or two heavy black ones lurking in the shade”. In this quote, Bronte appeals to the two senses - touch and sight; the floor was “smooth”, “white stone… the chairs … primitive structures, paint green…”, with all this use of colour imagery, the reader can sense that a place is being created.

Bronte uses a variety of figurative language and imagery to create a sense of place which helps the reader to picture a vivid place. The reader can imagine the description that she has used and now that Lockwood is our narrator throughout the book.