Commentry- Wuthering Heights ( chapter 9)

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ENGLISH COMMENTRY- WUTHERING HEIGHTS BY EMILY BRONTË

(CHAPTER IX; PAGES 80-81; LINE 9 TO LINE 53)

  The ninth chapter of Emily Bronte’s perplexing novel, Wuthering Heights takes the reader to the climax of the novel where Catherine discusses with Nelly, her decision to marry Edgar. Although, still an account of Lokwood’s diary, it is a narration of Nelly’s accounts at Wuthering Heights. Bronte uses informal language to make sure every event is clear and understandable to readers and words that are indigenous to her place of residence. Catherine speaks of her love for Heathcliff and Linton and how both those ‘loves’ are so different from each other. Catherine’s mind is going through turmoil and she confides in Nelly her desires and pains. Catherine and Heathcliff’s passion for one and other seems to be the center of Wuthering Heights, given that it displays the strongest emotions in the this novel. However, the dangers of social classes and their importance in the eighteenth century British Society somehow seem to overcome, even this fervid, undying love that Catherine and Heathcliff have for each other.

     Everyone dreams ,whether they do so subconsciously or consciously. Dreams are a part of our psychology that sometimes display our deepest, darkest of desires (sometimes , even  remorse). Catherine recounts to Nelly, the strange dreams she’s been having lately. Bronte uses similes to describe the intensity of these dreams on Catherine. “ Like wine through water”, these dreams have almost taken over Catherine and she is completely overwhelmed by the effect they have had on her.  Nelly, on the other hand, has her own reasons to fear dreams and these fears are mostly brought about by her superstitious nature. Nelly secretly hopes to never hear of Catherine’s dreams, as she is afraid they will come true. Yet, it can be seen that Nelly tries to console Catherine in her own way by telling her that human beings have the tendency to hallucinate or create situations in their minds, that don’t actually exist. Phantoms and other manifestations are like a mirage – simply a fragment of our imaginations and games of a human mind. It is ironic that Nelly speaks to Catherine so casually of the dreams, even though they actually make her anxious. The reader can identify with this because narrator uses mainly visual pictures to paint an almost exact picture of the characters being observed.   In this way, readers can visualize a mental picture of how Nelly is reacting towards Catherine in this event. “Catherine had an unusual gloom in her aspect, that made me dread something from which I might shape a prophecy, and foresee a fearful catastrophe. She was vexed but she did not proceed.”

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The narrator also emphasizes the facial features to point out the mood and emotions of the character. “Look at little Hareton- he’s dreaming nothing dreary. How sweetly he smiles in his sleep!”

 “Yes and how sweetly his father curses in his solitude! You remember him, I dare say, when he was just such another that chubby thing – nearly as young and innocent.”

   Bronte makes a Biblical reference to ‘heaven’ through Catherine. Catherine tells Nelly that if she were in heaven, she would be ashamed of herself.  Through this it is clear that for a Christian, heaven exists. ...

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