Emily Bronte (1818-1848) Study Objectives: 1.Understand literary term of point of view. 2.Appreciate Emily Bronte's narrative techniques. 3.Learn to understand the characters and the theme of Wuthering Heights. Understanding the Author: Emily Bronte The Bronte Sisters Emily Bronte,an English novelist and poet,was the third eldest of the four surviving Bronte siblings,between the youngest Anne and her brother Branwell.Together with the eldest sister Charlotte Bronte,who wrote the well-known autobiographical novel Jane Eyre and Anne Bronte,the three sisters secured their position in the realm of British literature with extraordinary works.If Jane Austen is graceful,refined,and capable of reasoning,Emily Bronte is passionate, emotional and wild.Emily wrote under the pen name Ellis Bell;she wrote 193 poems,profoundly metaphysical and original,mainly on the subjects of courage,compassion,and the mysterious workings of the cosmos.She died of tuberculosis at the age of 30. Generally acknowledged as the most gifted of the three Bronte sisters,Emily Bronte is chiefly famous for her single novel,Wuthering Heights,now considered a classic of English
Emily Bronte（1818-1848） Study Objectives: 1. Understand literary term of point of view. 2. Appreciate Emily Bronte’s narrative techniques. 3. Learn to understand the characters and the theme of Wuthering Heights. Understanding the Author: Emily Bronte The Bronte Sisters Emily Bronte, an English novelist and poet, was the third eldest of the four surviving Bronte siblings, between the youngest Anne and her brother Branwell. Together with the eldest sister Charlotte Bronte, who wrote the well-known autobiographical novel Jane Eyre and Anne Bronte, the three sisters secured their position in the realm of British literature with extraordinary works. If Jane Austen is graceful, refined, and capable of reasoning, Emily Bronte is passionate, emotional and wild. Emily wrote under the pen name Ellis Bell; she wrote 193 poems, profoundly metaphysical and original, mainly on the subjects of courage, compassion, and the mysterious workings of the cosmos. She died of tuberculosis at the age of 30. Generally acknowledged as the most gifted of the three Bronte sisters, Emily Bronte is chiefly famous for her single novel, Wuthering Heights, now considered a classic of English
literature.Published in 1847,Wuthering Heights is remarkable for many reasons,one of which,is its exceptionally mature plot and narrative structure.The development of the plot is cyclic:from relative peace and harmony to violence,destruction,and suffering,and thence on to final and conclusive harmony again.The narrative structure is unique in the sense that the story is told through two independent narrators,Mr.Lockwood,a conventional gentleman who is disgusted with society,went to rural Yorkshire.As a tenant of Thrushcross Grange,he visited Wuthering Heights,the nearest neighbor and was shocked to see the naked hatred and violence among the family members of Wuthering Heights:Hareton,Heathcliff,Little Cathy.He gradually learns the stormy love between Heathcliff and Catherine from Nelly Dean,the practical,unimaginative housekeeper.Their narration removes the reader from direct contact with the wild and improbable events.This slight distancing reduces the degree of the horror as well as the improbability.By filtering the events through Mr.Lockwood's and Nelly Dean's minds,the reader may accept the extraordinary story although they may be appalled at it. Understanding Point of View: The following introduction is from "The Writer's Craf” (http://www.the-writers-craft.com/point-of-view-in-literature-perspectives.html): Point of View in Literature--Perspectives In order to fully understand point of view in literature,we need to explore the different perspectives from which a story may be told.Bear in mind that the Perspective is the scene as viewed through the eyes/mind of the chosen character.The story,however,can be told from any one of several points-of-view regardless of the perspective chosen. Single Major Character Viewpoint The story can be told from first,second or third person POV but it is told throughout by just one character.The reader discovers everything in the story at exactly the same time as the viewpoint character does.You cannot hint at things that are to come if the main character doesn't know they are coming.You cannot give the character unnatural foresight-unless of course he is psychic. The single-character perspective is the most common viewpoint used in children's literature and a lot of adult literature as well.It allows you all the descriptive forces of third person and almost as much intimacy as first person.It is much easier for the reader to identify with just one character. Minor Character Viewpoint
literature. Published in 1847, Wuthering Heights is remarkable for many reasons, one of which, is its exceptionally mature plot and narrative structure. The development of the plot is cyclic: from relative peace and harmony to violence, destruction, and suffering, and thence on to final and conclusive harmony again. The narrative structure is unique in the sense that the story is told through two independent narrators, Mr. Lockwood, a conventional gentleman who is disgusted with society, went to rural Yorkshire. As a tenant of Thrushcross Grange, he visited Wuthering Heights, the nearest neighbor and was shocked to see the naked hatred and violence among the family members of Wuthering Heights: Hareton, Heathcliff, Little Cathy. He gradually learns the stormy love between Heathcliff and Catherine from Nelly Dean, the practical, unimaginative housekeeper. Their narration removes the reader from direct contact with the wild and improbable events. This slight distancing reduces the degree of the horror as well as the improbability. By filtering the events through Mr. Lockwood’s and Nelly Dean’s minds, the reader may accept the extraordinary story although they may be appalled at it. Understanding Point of View: The following introduction is from “The Writer’s Craft” (http://www.the-writers-craft.com/point-of-view-in-literature-perspectives.html): Point of View in Literature -- Perspectives In order to fully understand point of view in literature, we need to explore the different perspectives from which a story may be told. Bear in mind that the Perspective is the scene as viewed through the eyes/mind of the chosen character. The story, however, can be told from any one of several points-of-view regardless of the perspective chosen. Single Major Character Viewpoint The story can be told from first, second or third person POV but it is told throughout by just one character. The reader discovers everything in the story at exactly the same time as the viewpoint character does. You cannot hint at things that are to come if the main character doesn’t know they are coming. You cannot give the character unnatural foresight-unless of course he is psychic. The single-character perspective is the most common viewpoint used in children’s literature and a lot of adult literature as well. It allows you all the descriptive forces of third person and almost as much intimacy as first person. It is much easier for the reader to identify with just one character. Minor Character Viewpoint
Again the story can be told from the first,second or third person POV.It is told from the perspective of only one character just like the example above--except it is a minor character doing the telling.This technique is used in The Great Gatsby.Nick is merely an observer of the story, while Gatsby is the protagonist. This method isn't chosen very often in modern literature,but can be used to good effect in literary works where you need to keep some distance to really see what is happening.Or perhaps you need a more sympathetic character than your protagonist.Or perhaps you need to keep information which is known to the protagonist secret from the audience in order to maintain an air of mystique as in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Omniscient Viewpoint Basically,omniscient perspective means that the story is not told by any one of the characters, but is rather commented on by a god-like,omnipotent being who can choose to dip into the head of any of the characters and reveal things that have occurred in the past or which will happen in the future. This was once a very popular method of storytelling.It is less so now,especially in the North American market.But as I said earlier,Joseph Conrad was a master of this and,if it is done well, it can add dimension to your writing. It is essential that each character have a distinctive voice so that the reader is never confused about who he is listening to at the moment.This is an interesting device for an epic novel which explores a theme with several tangled subplots. Multiple Viewpoints This is another popular perspective in stories today.The story is told by only one character at a time,but the viewpoint character switches between two or more characters throughout the course of the novel.This can be a very effective tool when used for the right reasons.Remember, it has to add something to your story to have it told from different points of view because you lose intimacy and sometimes momentum by switching from one character to the next and then you increase the danger of losing your reader unless the transitions are well done. Consider what are you going to gain from the switch:Needed information?A different perspective to explore a good subplot?A chance to switch locations? Incidentally,this is probably my favorite perspective to write from.You aren't stuck with the same character throughout the entire story and you get to reveal the story from several different angles which can keep the story fresh.This is a popular form in many genres including romance, horror,literary fiction,mysteries,and science fiction
Again the story can be told from the first, second or third person POV. It is told from the perspective of only one character just like the example above--except it is a minor character doing the telling. This technique is used in The Great Gatsby. Nick is merely an observer of the story, while Gatsby is the protagonist. This method isn’t chosen very often in modern literature, but can be used to good effect in literary works where you need to keep some distance to really see what is happening. Or perhaps you need a more sympathetic character than your protagonist. Or perhaps you need to keep information which is known to the protagonist secret from the audience in order to maintain an air of mystique as in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Omniscient Viewpoint Basically, omniscient perspective means that the story is not told by any one of the characters, but is rather commented on by a god-like, omnipotent being who can choose to dip into the head of any of the characters and reveal things that have occurred in the past or which will happen in the future. This was once a very popular method of storytelling. It is less so now, especially in the North American market. But as I said earlier, Joseph Conrad was a master of this and, if it is done well, it can add dimension to your writing. It is essential that each character have a distinctive voice so that the reader is never confused about who he is listening to at the moment. This is an interesting device for an epic novel which explores a theme with several tangled subplots. Multiple Viewpoints This is another popular perspective in stories today. The story is told by only one character at a time, but the viewpoint character switches between two or more characters throughout the course of the novel. This can be a very effective tool when used for the right reasons. Remember, it has to add something to your story to have it told from different points of view because you lose intimacy and sometimes momentum by switching from one character to the next and then you increase the danger of losing your reader unless the transitions are well done. Consider what are you going to gain from the switch: Needed information? A different perspective to explore a good subplot? A chance to switch locations? Incidentally, this is probably my favorite perspective to write from. You aren’t stuck with the same character throughout the entire story and you get to reveal the story from several different angles which can keep the story fresh. This is a popular form in many genres including romance, horror, literary fiction, mysteries, and science fiction
It can be done effectively,by switching viewpoints with alternating chapters or scenes.Or it can be done in a more relaxed manner where you slip from one mind to the next in a crowd,for example.One person bumps into the next and we change heads.You don't always need to distinguish a point of view from one scene to the next.But as a writer you do need to know exactly whose head you're in at any particular moment and the various voices must be different enough that your readers know as well It is a great device when it works well.If you aren't sure which perspective is best for a particular scene,write it from both perspectives and then pick the one that works best. To add to the confusion,the creative writer can also mix points of view.For example,in a novel with three or four different viewpoints you could use first person for the scenes in which your protagonist is the filter and then switch to third person for the other viewpoints.This gives us a clear,strong first-person connection with the main character and the benefit of added angles of other viewpoints in third person
It can be done effectively, by switching viewpoints with alternating chapters or scenes. Or it can be done in a more relaxed manner where you slip from one mind to the next in a crowd, for example. One person bumps into the next and we change heads. You don’t always need to distinguish a point of view from one scene to the next. But as a writer you do need to know exactly whose head you’re in at any particular moment and the various voices must be different enough that your readers know as well. It is a great device when it works well. If you aren’t sure which perspective is best for a particular scene, write it from both perspectives and then pick the one that works best. To add to the confusion, the creative writer can also mix points of view. For example, in a novel with three or four different viewpoints you could use first person for the scenes in which your protagonist is the filter and then switch to third person for the other viewpoints. This gives us a clear, strong first-person connection with the main character and the benefit of added angles of other viewpoints in third person
Lead-in Questions: 1.Are you familiar with the Bronte Sisters? 2.How much do you know about the Moorland in Yorkshire? Wuthering Heights Chapter 1 1 1801---I have just returned from a visit to my landlord---the solitary neighbor that I shall be troubled with.This is certainly a beautiful country!In all England,I do not believe that I could have fixed on a situation so completely removed from the stir of society.A perfect misanthropist's heaven-and Mr.Heathcliff and I are such a suitable pair to divide the desolation between us.A capital fellow!He little imagined how my heart warmed towards him when I beheld his black eyes withdraw so suspiciously under their brows,as I rode up, and when his fingers sheltered themselves,with a jealous resolution,still further in his waistcoat,as I announced my name. 2 "Mr.Heathcliff?"I said. 3 A nod was the answer. 4 "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:I heard yesterday you hadhad some thoughts-” 5 "Thrushcross Grange is my own,sir,"he interrupted,wincing."I should not allow any one to inconvenience me,if I could hinder it-walk in!" 6 The"walk in"was uttered with closed teeth,and expressed the sentiment,"Go to the Deuce:" even the gate over which he leant manifested no sympathizing movement to the words;and I think that circumstance determined me to accept the invitation:I felt interested in a man who seemed more exaggeratedly reserved than myself. 7 When he saw my horse's breast fairly pushing the barrier,he did put out his hand to unchain it, and then sullenly preceded me up the causeway,calling,as we entered the court,"Joseph,take Mr.Lockwood's horse;and bring up some wine." 8 "Here we have the whole establishment of domestics,I suppose,"was the reflection suggested by this compound order."No wonder the grass grows up between the flags,and cattle are the only hedgecutters
Lead-in Questions: 1. Are you familiar with the Bronte Sisters? 2. How much do you know about the Moorland in Yorkshire? Wuthering Heights Chapter 1 1 1801---I have just returned from a visit to my landlord---the solitary neighbor that I shall be troubled with. This is certainly a beautiful country! In all England, I do not believe that I could have fixed on a situation so completely removed from the stir of society. A perfect misanthropist’s heaven- and Mr. Heathcliff and I are such a suitable pair to divide the desolation between us. A capital fellow! He little imagined how my heart warmed towards him when I beheld his black eyes withdraw so suspiciously under their brows, as I rode up, and when his fingers sheltered themselves, with a jealous resolution, still further in his waistcoat, as I announced my name. 2 “Mr. Heathcliff?” I said. 3 A nod was the answer. 4 “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: I heard yesterday you had had some thoughts-” 5 “Thrushcross Grange is my own, sir,” he interrupted, wincing. “I should not allow any one to inconvenience me, if I could hinder it - walk in!” 6 The “walk in” was uttered with closed teeth, and expressed the sentiment, “Go to the Deuce:” even the gate over which he leant manifested no sympathizing movement to the words; and I think that circumstance determined me to accept the invitation: I felt interested in a man who seemed more exaggeratedly reserved than myself. 7 When he saw my horse’s breast fairly pushing the barrier, he did put out his hand to unchain it, and then sullenly preceded me up the causeway, calling, as we entered the court, “Joseph, take Mr. Lockwood’s horse; and bring up some wine.” 8 “Here we have the whole establishment of domestics, I suppose,” was the reflection suggested by this compound order. “No wonder the grass grows up between the flags, and cattle are the only hedgecutters
9 Joseph was an elderly,nay,an old man:very old,perhaps,though hale and sinewy. 10 "The Lord help us!"he soliloquised in an undertone of peevish displeasure,while relieving me of my horse:looking,meantime,in my face so sourly that I charitably conjectured he must have need of divine aid to digest his dinner,and his pious ejaculation had no reference to my unexpected advent. 11 Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr.Heathcliff's dwelling."Wuthering"being a significant provincial adjective,descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather.Pure,bracing ventilation they must have up there at all times,indeed: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 by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way,as if craving alms of the sun.Happily,the architect had foresight to build it strong: the narrow windows are deeply set in the wall,and the corners defended with large jutting stones. 12 Before passing the threshold,I paused to admire a quantity of grotesque carving lavished over the front,and especially about the principal door;above which,among a wilderness of crumbling griffins and shameless little boys,I detected the date "1500,"and the name "Hareton Earnshaw."I would have made a few comments,and requested a short history of the place from the surly owner,but his attitude at the door appeared to demand my speedy entrance,or complete departure,and I had no desire to aggravate his impatience previous to inspecting the penetralium. 13 One stop brought us into the family sitting-room,without any introductory lobby or passage: they call it here "the house"preeminently.It includes kitchen and parlor,generally;but I believe at Wuthering Heights the kitchen is forced to retreat altogether into another quarter:at least I distinguished a chatter of tongues,and a clatter of culinary utensils,deep within;and I observed no signs of roasting,boiling,or baking,about the huge fireplace;nor any glitter of copper saucepans and tin cullenders on the walls.One end,indeed,reflected splendidly both light and heat from ranks of immense pewter dishes,interspersed with silver jugs and tankards, towering row after row,on a vast oak dresser,to the very roof.The latter had never been under-drawn:its entire anatomy lay bare to an inquiring eye,except where a frame of wood laden with oatcakes and clusters of legs of beef,mutton,and ham,concealed it.Above the chimney were sundry villainous old guns,and a couple of horse-pistols:and,by way of ornament,three gaudily-painted canisters disposed along its ledge.The floor was of smooth, white stone;the chairs,high-backed,primitive structures,painted green:one or two heavy black ones lurking in the shade.In an arch under the dresser reposed a huge,liver-colored
9 Joseph was an elderly, nay, an old man: very old, perhaps, though hale and sinewy. 10 “The Lord help us!” he soliloquised in an undertone of peevish displeasure, while relieving me of my horse: looking, meantime, in my face so sourly that I charitably conjectured he must have need of divine aid to digest his dinner, and his pious ejaculation had no reference to my unexpected advent. 11 Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr. Heathcliff’s dwelling. “Wuthering” being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather. Pure, bracing ventilation they must have up there at all times, indeed: 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 by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun. Happily, the architect had foresight to build it strong: the narrow windows are deeply set in the wall, and the corners defended with large jutting stones. 12 Before passing the threshold, I paused to admire a quantity of grotesque carving lavished over the front, and especially about the principal door; above which, among a wilderness of crumbling griffins and shameless little boys, I detected the date “1500,” and the name “Hareton Earnshaw.” I would have made a few comments, and requested a short history of the place from the surly owner; but his attitude at the door appeared to demand my speedy entrance, or complete departure, and I had no desire to aggravate his impatience previous to inspecting the penetralium. 13 One stop brought us into the family sitting-room, without any introductory lobby or passage: they call it here “the house” preeminently. It includes kitchen and parlor, generally; but I believe at Wuthering Heights the kitchen is forced to retreat altogether into another quarter: at least I distinguished a chatter of tongues, and a clatter of culinary utensils, deep within; and I observed no signs of roasting, boiling, or baking, about the huge fireplace; nor any glitter of copper saucepans and tin cullenders on the walls. One end, indeed, reflected splendidly both light and heat from ranks of immense pewter dishes, interspersed with silver jugs and tankards, towering row after row, on a vast oak dresser, to the very roof. The latter had never been under-drawn: its entire anatomy lay bare to an inquiring eye, except where a frame of wood laden with oatcakes and clusters of legs of beef, mutton, and ham, concealed it. Above the chimney were sundry villainous old guns, and a couple of horse-pistols: and, by way of ornament, three gaudily-painted canisters disposed along its ledge. The floor was of smooth, white stone; the chairs, high-backed, primitive structures, painted green: one or two heavy black ones lurking in the shade. In an arch under the dresser reposed a huge, liver-colored
bitch pointer,surrounded by a swarm of squealing puppies;and other dogs haunted other recesses. 14 The apartment and furniture would have been nothing extraordinary as belonging to a homely, northern farmer,with a stubborn countenance,and stalwart limbs set out to advantage in knee-breeches and gaiters.Such an individual seated in his arm-chair,his mug of ale frothing on the round table before him,is to be seen in any circuit of five or six miles among these hills,if you go at the right time after dinner.But Mr.Heathcliff forms a singular contrast to his abode and style of living.He is a dark-skinned gipsy in aspect,in dress and manners a gentleman:that is,as much a gentleman as many a country squire:rather slovenly,perhaps, yet not looking amiss with his negligence,because he has an erect and handsome figure---and rather morose---possibly,some people might suspect him of a degree of under-bred pride---I have a sympathetic chord within that tells me it is nothing of the sort: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.No,I'm running on too fast:I bestow my own attributes over-liberally on him.Mr.Heathcliff may have entirely dissimilar reasons for keeping his hand out of the way when he meets a would-be acquaintance,to those which actuate me.Let me hope my constitution is almost peculiar:my dear mother used to say I should never have a comfortable home;and only last summer I proved myself perfectly unworthy of one. 15 While enjoying a month of fine weather at the sea-coast,I was thrown into the company of a most fascinating creature:a real goddess in my eyes,as long as she took no notice of me.I "never told my love"vocally;still,if looks have language,the merest idiot might have guessed I was over head and ears:she understood me at last,and looked a return the sweetest of all imaginable looks.And what did I do?I confess it with shame shrunk icily into myself, like a snail;at every glance retired colder and farther,till finally the poor innocent was led to doubt her own senses,and,overwhelmed with confusion at her supposed mistake,persuaded her mamma to decamp. 16 By this curious turn of disposition I have gained the reputation of deliberate heartlessness; how undeserved,I alone can appreciate. 17 I took a seat at the end of the hearthstone opposite that towards which my landlord advanced, and filled up an interval of silence by attempting to caress the canine mother,who had left her nursery,and was sneaking wolfishly to the back of my legs,her lip curled up,and her white teeth watering for a snatch. 18 My caress provoked a long,guttural gnarl
bitch pointer, surrounded by a swarm of squealing puppies; and other dogs haunted other recesses. 14 The apartment and furniture would have been nothing extraordinary as belonging to a homely, northern farmer, with a stubborn countenance, and stalwart limbs set out to advantage in knee-breeches and gaiters. Such an individual seated in his arm-chair, his mug of ale frothing on the round table before him, is to be seen in any circuit of five or six miles among these hills, if you go at the right time after dinner. But Mr. Heathcliff forms a singular contrast to his abode and style of living. He is a dark-skinned gipsy in aspect, in dress and manners a gentleman: that is, as much a gentleman as many a country squire: rather slovenly, perhaps, yet not looking amiss with his negligence, because he has an erect and handsome figure--- and rather morose---possibly, some people might suspect him of a degree of under-bred pride---I have a sympathetic chord within that tells me it is nothing of the sort: 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. No, I’m running on too fast: I bestow my own attributes over-liberally on him. Mr. Heathcliff may have entirely dissimilar reasons for keeping his hand out of the way when he meets a would-be acquaintance, to those which actuate me. Let me hope my constitution is almost peculiar: my dear mother used to say I should never have a comfortable home; and only last summer I proved myself perfectly unworthy of one. 15 While enjoying a month of fine weather at the sea-coast, I was thrown into the company of a most fascinating creature: a real goddess in my eyes, as long as she took no notice of me. I “never told my love” vocally; still, if looks have language, the merest idiot might have guessed I was over head and ears: she understood me at last, and looked a return the sweetest of all imaginable looks. And what did I do? I confess it with shame shrunk icily into myself, like a snail; at every glance retired colder and farther; till finally the poor innocent was led to doubt her own senses, and, overwhelmed with confusion at her supposed mistake, persuaded her mamma to decamp. 16 By this curious turn of disposition I have gained the reputation of deliberate heartlessness; how undeserved, I alone can appreciate. 17 I took a seat at the end of the hearthstone opposite that towards which my landlord advanced, and filled up an interval of silence by attempting to caress the canine mother, who had left her nursery, and was sneaking wolfishly to the back of my legs, her lip curled up, and her white teeth watering for a snatch. 18 My caress provoked a long, guttural gnarl
19 "You'd better let the dog alone,"growled Mr.Heathcliff in unison,checking fiercer demonstrations with a punch of his foot."She's not accustomed to be spoiled---not kept for a pet” 20 Then,striding to a side door,he shouted again, 21“Joseph!” 22 Joseph mumbled indistinctly in the depths of the cellar,but gave no intimation of ascending; so his master dived down to him,leaving me vis-a-vis the ruffianly bitch and a pair of grim shaggy sheep-dogs,who shared with her a jealous guardianship over all my movements. 23 Not anxious to come in contact with their fangs,I sat still;but,imagining they would scarcely understand tacit insults,I unfortunately indulged in winking and making faces at the trio,and some turn of my physiognomy so irritated madam,that she suddenly broke into a fury and leapt on my knees.I flung her back,and hastened to interpose the table between us.This proceeding aroused the whole hive:half-a-dozen four-footed fiends,of various sizes and ages, issued from hidden dens to the common center.I felt my heels and coat-laps peculiar subjects of assault;and parrying off the larger combatants as effectually as I could with the poker,I was constrained to demand,aloud,assistance from some of the household in re-establishing peace. 24 Mr.Heathcliff and his man climbed the cellar steps with vexatious phlegm:I don't think they moved one second faster than usual,though the hearth was an absolute tempest of worrying and yelping. 25 Happily,an inhabitant of the kitchen made more dispatch;a lusty dame,with tucked-up gown, bare arms,and fire-flushed cheeks,rushed into the midst of us flourishing a frying-pan:and used that weapon,and her tongue,to such purpose,that the storm subsided magically,and she only remained,heaving like a sea after a high wind,when her master entered on the scene. 26 "What the devil is the matter?"he asked,eyeing me in a manner that I could ill endure,after this inhospitable treatment. 27 "What the devil,indeed!"I muttered."The herd of possessed swine could have had no worse spirits in them than those animals of yours,sir.You might as well leave a stranger with a brood of tigers!” 28 "They won't meddle with persons who touch nothing,"he remarked,putting the bottle before me,and restoring the displaced table."The dogs do right to be vigilant.Take a glass of wine?" 29No,thank you.” 30 "Not bitten,are you?
19 “You’d better let the dog alone,” growled Mr. Heathcliff in unison, checking fiercer demonstrations with a punch of his foot. “She’s not accustomed to be spoiled--- not kept for a pet.” 20 Then, striding to a side door, he shouted again, 21 “Joseph!” 22 Joseph mumbled indistinctly in the depths of the cellar, but gave no intimation of ascending; so his master dived down to him, leaving me vis-a-vis the ruffianly bitch and a pair of grim shaggy sheep-dogs, who shared with her a jealous guardianship over all my movements. 23 Not anxious to come in contact with their fangs, I sat still; but, imagining they would scarcely understand tacit insults, I unfortunately indulged in winking and making faces at the trio, and some turn of my physiognomy so irritated madam, that she suddenly broke into a fury and leapt on my knees. I flung her back, and hastened to interpose the table between us. This proceeding aroused the whole hive: half-a-dozen four-footed fiends, of various sizes and ages, issued from hidden dens to the common center. I felt my heels and coat-laps peculiar subjects of assault; and parrying off the larger combatants as effectually as I could with the poker, I was constrained to demand, aloud, assistance from some of the household in re-establishing peace. 24 Mr. Heathcliff and his man climbed the cellar steps with vexatious phlegm: I don’t think they moved one second faster than usual, though the hearth was an absolute tempest of worrying and yelping. 25 Happily, an inhabitant of the kitchen made more dispatch; a lusty dame, with tucked-up gown, bare arms, and fire-flushed cheeks, rushed into the midst of us flourishing a frying-pan: and used that weapon, and her tongue, to such purpose, that the storm subsided magically, and she only remained, heaving like a sea after a high wind, when her master entered on the scene. 26 “What the devil is the matter?” he asked, eyeing me in a manner that I could ill endure, after this inhospitable treatment. 27 “What the devil, indeed!” I muttered. “The herd of possessed swine could have had no worse spirits in them than those animals of yours, sir. You might as well leave a stranger with a brood of tigers!” 28 “They won’t meddle with persons who touch nothing,” he remarked, putting the bottle before me, and restoring the displaced table. “The dogs do right to be vigilant. Take a glass of wine?” 29 “No, thank you.” 30 “Not bitten, are you?
31 "If I had been,I would have set my signet on the biter." 32 Heathcliff's countenance relaxed into a grin. 33 "Come,come,"he said,"you are flurried,Mr.Lockwood.Here,take a little wine.Guests are so exceedingly rare in this house that I and my dogs,I am willing to own,hardly know how to receive them.Your health,sir?" 34 I bowed and returned the pledge,beginning to perceive that it would be foolish to sit sulking for the misbehavior of a pack of curs;besides,I felt loth to yield the fellow further amusement at my expense;since his humor took that turn. 35 He--probably swayed by prudential consideration of the folly of offending a good tenant --relaxed a little in the laconic style of chipping off his pronouns and auxiliary verbs,and introduced what he supposed would be a subject of interest to me,a discourse on the advantages and disadvantages of my present place of retirement. 36 I found him very intelligent on the topics we touched;and before I went home,I was encouraged so far as to volunteer another visit to-morrow. 37 He evidently wished no repetition of my intrusion.I shall go,notwithstanding.It is astonishing how sociable I feel myself compared with him. Chapter 2 1 YESTERDAY afternoon set in misty and cold.I had half a mind to spend it by my study fire, instead of wading through heath and mud to Wuthering Heights. 2 On coming up from dinner,however,(N.B.I dine between twelve and one o'clock;the housekeeper,a matronly lady,taken as a fixture along with the house,could not,or would not, comprehend my request that I might be served at five)on mounting the stairs with this lazy intention,and stepping into the room,I saw a servant-girl on her knees surrounded by brushes and coal-scuttles,and raising an infernal dust as she extinguished the flames with heaps of cinders.This spectacle drove me back immediately;I took my hat,and,after a four-miles" walk,arrived at Heathcliff's garden-gate just in time to escape the first feathery flakes of a snow shower. 3 On that bleak hill-top the earth was hard with a black frost,and the air made me shiver through every limb.Being unable to remove the chain,I jumped over,and,running up the flagged causeway bordered with straggling gooseberry bushes,knocked vainly for admittance, till my knuckles tingled and the dogs howled
31 “If I had been, I would have set my signet on the biter.” 32 Heathcliff’s countenance relaxed into a grin. 33 “Come, come,” he said, “you are flurried, Mr. Lockwood. Here, take a little wine. Guests are so exceedingly rare in this house that I and my dogs, I am willing to own, hardly know how to receive them. Your health, sir?” 34 I bowed and returned the pledge, beginning to perceive that it would be foolish to sit sulking for the misbehavior of a pack of curs; besides, I felt loth to yield the fellow further amusement at my expense; since his humor took that turn. 35 He-- probably swayed by prudential consideration of the folly of offending a good tenant --relaxed a little in the laconic style of chipping off his pronouns and auxiliary verbs, and introduced what he supposed would be a subject of interest to me, a discourse on the advantages and disadvantages of my present place of retirement. 36 I found him very intelligent on the topics we touched; and before I went home, I was encouraged so far as to volunteer another visit to-morrow. 37 He evidently wished no repetition of my intrusion. I shall go, notwithstanding. It is astonishing how sociable I feel myself compared with him. Chapter 2 1 YESTERDAY afternoon set in misty and cold. I had half a mind to spend it by my study fire, instead of wading through heath and mud to Wuthering Heights. 2 On coming up from dinner, however, (N.B. I dine between twelve and one o’clock; the housekeeper, a matronly lady, taken as a fixture along with the house, could not, or would not, comprehend my request that I might be served at five) on mounting the stairs with this lazy intention, and stepping into the room, I saw a servant-girl on her knees surrounded by brushes and coal-scuttles, and raising an infernal dust as she extinguished the flames with heaps of cinders. This spectacle drove me back immediately; I took my hat, and, after a four-miles” walk, arrived at Heathcliff’s garden-gate just in time to escape the first feathery flakes of a snow shower. 3 On that bleak hill-top the earth was hard with a black frost, and the air made me shiver through every limb. Being unable to remove the chain, I jumped over, and, running up the flagged causeway bordered with straggling gooseberry bushes, knocked vainly for admittance, till my knuckles tingled and the dogs howled
4 "Wretched inmates!"I ejaculated,mentally,"you deserve perpetual isolation from your species for your churlish inhospitality.At least,I would not keep my doors barred in the day-time---I don't care---I will get in!" 5 So resolved,I grasped the latch and shook it vehemently.Vinegar-faced Joseph projected his head from a round window of the barn. 6 “What are ye for?”he shouted.T"maister'"s down i'"t”fowld..Go round by th”end ut'laith, if ye went to spake to him." 7 "Is there nobody inside to open the door?"I hallooed,responsively. 8 "They's nobbut t'missis,and shoo'll not oppen't an ye mak yer flaysome dins till neeght." 9 "Why?Cannot you tell her whom I am,eh,Joseph?" 10 "Nor-ne me!I'll hae no hend wi"t,"muttered the head,vanishing. 11 The snow began to drive thickly.I seized the handle to essay another trial;when a young man without coat,and shouldering a pitchfork,appeared in the yard behind.He hailed me to follow him,and,after marching through a wash-house,and a paved area containing a coal-shed, pump,and pigeon-cot,we at length arrived in the huge,warm,cheerful apartment where I was formerly received. 12 It glowed delightfully in the radiance of an immense fire,compounded of coal,peat,and wood;and near the table,laid for a plentiful evening meal,I was pleased to observe the "missis,"an individual whose existence I had never previously suspected. 13 I bowed and waited,thinking she would bid me take a seat.She looked at me,leaning back in her chair.and remained motionless and mute. 14 "Rough weather!"I remarked."I'm afraid,Mrs.Heathcliff,the door must bear the consequence of your servants"leisure attendance:I had hard work to make them hear me." 15 She never opened her mouth.I stared she stared also:at any rate,she kept her eyes on me in a cool,regardless manner,exceedingly embarrassing and disagreeable. l6“Sit down,.”said the young man,gruffly.He''ll be in soon..” 17 I obeyed;and hemmed,and called the villain Juno,who deigned,at this second interview,to move the extreme tip of her tail,in token of owning my acquaintance. 18 "A beautiful animal!"I commenced again."Do you intend parting with the little ones, madam?” 19 "They are not mine,"said the amiable hostess,more repellingly than Heathcliff himself could have replied. 20 "Ah,your favorites are among these?"I continued,turning to an obscure cushion full of something like cats
4 “Wretched inmates!” I ejaculated, mentally, “you deserve perpetual isolation from your species for your churlish inhospitality. At least, I would not keep my doors barred in the day-time--- I don’t care--- I will get in!” 5 So resolved, I grasped the latch and shook it vehemently. Vinegar-faced Joseph projected his head from a round window of the barn. 6 “What are ye for?” he shouted. “T” maister”s down i” t” fowld. Go round by th” end ut’ laith, if ye went to spake to him.” 7 “Is there nobody inside to open the door?” I hallooed, responsively. 8 “They’s nobbut t’ missis; and shoo’ll not oppen’t an ye mak yer flaysome dins till neeght.” 9 “Why? Cannot you tell her whom I am, eh, Joseph?” 10 “Nor-ne me! I’ll hae no hend wi”t,” muttered the head, vanishing. 11 The snow began to drive thickly. I seized the handle to essay another trial; when a young man without coat, and shouldering a pitchfork, appeared in the yard behind. He hailed me to follow him, and, after marching through a wash-house, and a paved area containing a coal-shed, pump, and pigeon-cot, we at length arrived in the huge, warm, cheerful apartment where I was formerly received. 12 It glowed delightfully in the radiance of an immense fire, compounded of coal, peat, and wood; and near the table, laid for a plentiful evening meal, I was pleased to observe the “missis,” an individual whose existence I had never previously suspected. 13 I bowed and waited, thinking she would bid me take a seat. She looked at me, leaning back in her chair, and remained motionless and mute. 14 “Rough weather!” I remarked. “I’m afraid, Mrs. Heathcliff, the door must bear the consequence of your servants” leisure attendance: I had hard work to make them hear me.” 15 She never opened her mouth. I stared she stared also: at any rate, she kept her eyes on me in a cool, regardless manner, exceedingly embarrassing and disagreeable. 16 “Sit down,” said the young man, gruffly. “He’ll be in soon.” 17 I obeyed; and hemmed, and called the villain Juno, who deigned, at this second interview, to move the extreme tip of her tail, in token of owning my acquaintance. 18 “A beautiful animal!” I commenced again. “Do you intend parting with the little ones, madam?” 19 “They are not mine,” said the amiable hostess, more repellingly than Heathcliff himself could have replied. 20 “Ah, your favorites are among these?” I continued, turning to an obscure cushion full of something like cats