Lockwood as a narrator acts as our personal window into WH, his own curiosity and lack of knowledge allows us to grow in wisdom with him. This creates a sense of being at one with the novel as some may feel an inclination to fall into Lockwood’s character, seeing WH through his eyes. This initially helps us to form some base judgements about WH, which allows us to explore WH further without becoming mystified about what the novel is actually about, the diary style is powerful and useful in this respect. However, as we read through the book we discover that Lockwood’s first thoughts on WH were actually quite inaccurate; for example he was at first convinced that the young Cathy was Heathcliff’s wife, in this respect believing everything LW says can become quite risky.
‘I was pleased to observe the ‘missis’, an individual whose existence I never previously suspected.’
Lockwood can also be seen as being duplicitous in the way that one moment he is showing Mr Heathcliff utmost respect and admiration,
‘He little imagined how my heart warmed towards him.’
And the next he is seen thinking,
‘Wretched Inmates!’ ‘ You deserve perpetual isolation from your species.’
This gives the reader an insight into his true character, which I feel is not an overly pleasant and rather pompous one. However I feel there is method in Lockwood’s self righteous attitude, in that it helps us develop a slight distaste for him and forces us to begin to form our own judgements about the characters. This creates a sense of involvement for the reader and satisfaction when we think that we may have discovered some secret or key to a character’s attitude and outlook.
Lockwood’s portrayal of Heathcliff is a useful tool in drawing the reader in WH. Lockwood describes him as a wary character, this begs us to ask what exactly is Heathcliff wary about, this immediately draws our attention to Heathcliff as a mysterious character.
‘When I beheld his black eyes withdraw so suspiciously under their brows.’
Lockwood’s interest in Mr Heathcliff nurtures our own fascination with him as an overly reserved character,
‘I felt interested in a man who was more exaggeratedly reserved than myself.’
‘ pompous and opinionated believes he is right way he speaks to us does not question his views not trustworthy judgements powerful at first style of narration through diary
The manner of the characters is very important at this stage. Lockwood is generally a very jovial person, which is in stark contrast to the hostility of Heathcliff and that that dwell at WH.
Human nature causes us to be inquisitive about WH as we now only know half a story and crave to gain full knowledge about
We are lockwood for these two chapters someone who knows nothing about WH but cravges to know more, he acts as our window and his curiousity and devotion to cause (quote) allows us to seek further
Misanthropist heaven … saying heathcliff and his crew are pessimistic etc truth???
Lockwood two faced??? ‘Wretched inmates’ then being nice as pie more backstabbing even from him
