While Heathcliff and Edgar act as foils for one another, it is more useful to consider their function in the novel as individuals. Discuss
While Heathcliff and Edgar act as foils for one another, it is more useful to consider their function in the novel as individuals. In the novel, if Heathcliff is to be considered the primary protagonist, then Edgar is the primary antagonist. Heathcliff's greatest desire is Catherine and the main obstacle that stands in his way is Edgar who, with his greater wealth and higher social status manages to keep her out of his reach. There is therefore a great connection between these two characters which could be explored in great detail; but is it more useful to consider them as two separate entities in the novel, with their other connections having greater importance? When viewed together it can be claimed that as the reader we understand the characters more clearly when they are contrasted against each other. Bronte has set up a possible juxtaposition between Heathcliff and Edgar as it allows the reader to gage the extremities of the two men who are, in many respects polar opposites. This is evident in the most immediate of ways: physical appearance. There is an instant difference in the "long light hair" of Edgar whose figure is "almost too graceful" to the face of Heathcliff that is "half covered with black whiskers" with eyes "deep set and singular". Further and possibly more useful comparisons include the gulfs in class and wealth of the two men. This is obviously an
Love is the Root of all suffering in Wuthering Heights In what ways do you agree?
'Love is the Root of all suffering in Wuthering Heights'- In what ways do you agree? Many people see Wuthering Heights as a novel about love. However, for some characters such as Heathcliff and Catherine, it can have a detrimental effect. Isabella pursued Heathcliff as she saw him as a 'hero of romance'. She was besotted by him and this made her overlook all his flaws and brutality thinking that deep down he was loving and could care about her. 'She saw me hang up her little dog' despite this cruel and careless act she still eloped with him. Her love for Heathcliff made her ignore these warnings. Further into the marriage, Heathcliff acts violently towards her and deliberately mistreats her - 'I would turn her blue eyes black'. Eventually Isabella has to leave despite the fact she was married with a child to escape her suffering. She was brought up in an upper class family but ignored the social expectations of women because her suffering was so great. However, it can be argued that Isabella never really loved Heathcliff and it was just an infatuation commonly associated with Byronic heroes. As soon as she knew what Heathcliff was really like, she described him as a 'beast' and fled. Catherine described her love for Heathcliff as the 'eternal rocks beneath' and of 'little visible delight' The word 'eternal' suggests she will always love him yet the phrase 'of little
Jane Eyre - Jane's character in chapters 5-10 The Lowood chapters.
Jane's character in chapters 5-10 The Lowood chapters. In the Lowood chapters, Bronte successfully engages the reader's sympathy for Jane Eyre by using many techniques enabling the reader to examine Jane's character fully. 'Is she going by herself' asked the porters wife 'Yes' 'And how far is it?' 'Fifty miles' What a long way! I wonder Mrs. Reed is not afraid to trust her so far alone.' Bronte uses the technique in which she does not tell the reader how Jane feels but shows us using the people and the surroundings around Jane which is a good technique although it does not show exactly how Jane feels, but does show the reader how other people feel about Jane. Bronte's technique shows that Jane is isolating herself from her feelings and not letting the reader know how she truly feels, she cannot talk or reflect her feelings to anyone. During her ride to Lowood because she doesn't know anyone there, Jane then becomes shy and less confident. After Jane reaches Lowood and describes the food given to her, and her living conditions you feel sympathy for her. People need food to think properly and as Jane had no food on the night she arrived at Lowood, as she was too excited and she was unable to eat breakfast. Jane may not have been able to think to her full extent and the teachers at Lowood would punish her if she was not concentrating nor had the answer to the questions
Comment on the way a sense of place is created in the first chapter of "Wuthering Heights"
Comment on the way a sense of place is created in this passage. In your answer, focus on: . Bronte’s narrative voice 2. 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
What methods does Bronte use in chapter 15 & 16 to reveal the anguish of Heathcliff?
'What methods does Bronte use in chapter 15 & 16 to reveal the anguish of Heathcliff?' It is in chapter 15 that Catherine and Heathcliff meet for the last time and their intensity of their love is indicated in both physical and emotional terms. When Heathcliff learns of Catherine's illness he decides to wait 'impatient(ly)' in the 'garden'. This is the first evidence of empathy or concern for other's wellbeing in Heathcliff's character, and shows just how much he really loves Catherine. This is further enhanced by his reaction when he finally sees her, 'Oh Cathy! Oh my life! How can I bear it?' From these words, reading retrospectively, it's possible to see Heathcliff's despair upon seeing Catherine again being provoked not only by his perception of her certain death, but also by his perception of her pregnancy. Bronte presents Nelly Dean as being astonished at Heathcliff's display of emotion: 'He bestowed more kisses then ever he gave in his life before I dare say' and she describes him as beholding a 'stock of gentleness' although saying it seems 'inadequate'. The use of this emotive language contrasts Heathcliff from previous descriptions made of him for instance he is described as a 'unreclaimed creature' and Catherine believes his 'true passion is hate' but in this chapter his evil traits are forgot about as we experience the coming together of Catherine and
How far in portraying Janes character does Charlotte Bronte present her as a lonely Cinderella and an exploited victim?
How far in portraying Jane’s Character does Charlotte Bronte present her as a lonely Cinderella and an exploited victim? Jane is represented as an exploited victim and a lonely Cinderella in a number of ways throughout the first four chapters of the book. It comes with the way Bronte writes as Jane being the narrator but also in the way the events in Jane’s childhood unfold. There are many incidents where the reader pities and feels for Miss Eyre that is continuous throughout the book. A key point of isolation for Jane is following the incident with John Reed where she is locked within the Red Room. Bronte tells the reader this outright as if coming from Jane as narrator in relfection. She states that “I was discord in Gateshead hall: I was like nobody there; I had nothing in harmony with Mrs Reed or her children” this shows to the reader the get lengths that the family have taken to exile her. Although being brought up by this family they are decided on despising her to the point of non-existence. Furthering this Jane proposes that they regarded her as “ a useless thing incapable of serving their interest” here she is almost portrayed as a toy that a young child has grown out of or began to find tedious. Moreover here wish to be isolated from her current situation is paramount. Bronte makes the reader feel sympathy for this poor lowly creature, who is
Jane Eyre - Too Passionate?
Jane is accused by many of being too passionate. It is not however that she is too passionate, but that she behaves according to her nature that makes her strong. The one time that she ignores her instincts, she almost destroys herself. 'Conscience, turned tyrant, held Passion by the throat.' Discuss. The topic regarding whether Jane is too passionate or whether she merely follows her nature is quite controversial. From my point of view she is not almost destroyed by ignoring her instincts, but rather strengthened internally. If I may, I would bring faith into it, by commenting that the mature Jane is only willing to behave according to her nature, if her nature is aligned with her religion. By leaving the man she loves, Jane acts in accordance with her faith, ultimately leaving her conscience free of the torment she would have faced should she have obeyed Mr Rochester. In obeying her conscience, she allows what one could call the will of God to guide her to a place where she is independent of others and their emotions, rather perhaps on her new life as a teacher. Some may criticise Ms Brontë for being unrealistic, fanciful in supposing it possible that Jane should arrive at the very house her cousins were living in, and for St John to guess her real identity. Others such as myself would then point out that Ms Brontë was just as religious as she was imaginative, and
How Does Bronte Make You Feel Sympathy For Jane Eyre?
Adam Ward 10H December 5th 2001 How Does Bronte Make You Feel Sympathy For Jane Eyre? This story is written in a first person narrative, so it helps us sympathize with Jane as you share her thoughts and feelings. Jane was an orphan. Her maternal uncle looked after her, but later died. She then lives with her Aunt Mrs. Reed and her three cousins. (Mrs. Reed is Jane's uncle's widow.) There is a lack of relationship in the family in which she now lives in. Mrs. Reed made a promise, on Jane's' uncles' deathbed that she would look after Jane, but because they weren't maternally related there was no love and warmth from them. Bronte first makes you sympathize for Jane as she is sent to the Red Room, where her maternal uncle died, as a punishment, for retaliating to John, as he hit her. Despite her injury, her aunt has no sympathy for Jane. All the blame gets put on Jane and her cousin John gets away unpunished. This shows favoritism making you sympathize with Jane as she is bullied and blamed. Jane is a young girl, terrified by the Red Room, because of the death of her uncle; " I resisted all the way." This shows that Jane does not want to go there and will do anything not to go there, as she acts out of character, by kicking and screaming. This makes you sympathize for Jane as I seems as if she is being tortured and
Look closely at the opening chapters of Jane Eyre. What is your impression of Jane?
Look closely at the opening chapters of Jane Eyre. What is your impression of Jane? In the opening paragraphs of the book, it is clear that Jane is in a very isolated position within the Reed household. Jane is small and plain and these factors have an effect on her behaviour. She tries to develop her character by intelligence and knowledge in order to be noticed, and more importantly loved. She reads books, such as "Gullivers Travels', 'Bewick's History of British birds', she is also read books such as 'Henry, Earl of Moreland'. These books feed her imagination, because she has a thirst for knowledge, and they also give her a chance to escape from her challenging life at Gateshead Hall. I believe that she uses her knowledge from the books to defend herself against bullying and victimisation from the Reed's. This is clearly presented when John Reed torments her, and attacks her. She uses characters from the book, Goldsmiths 'History of Rome' as metaphors for the behaviour of John Reed when she answers back to his actions aimed at her. Her actions here also show her as strong willed, conceited, and precocious. It is clear that Jane is not afraid to stand up to people, as she feels she has nothing to loose, but unintentionally, her personality results in her leaving to go to school. This is something Jane has always wanted to do. She is made to feel inferior to everyone, by
