Do Now

1. Do Now • What do you know about the Victorian period in England? What images are called to mind when you hear the word Victorian?

2. Wuthering Heights Emily Brontë

3. Historical Background • The Victorian Age refers to the period in England when Queen Victoria reigned (1837-1901). • The British Empire had reached its height and ruled one quarter of the world. • During this time, the Industrial Revolution created profound economical changes in society. • England changed from a primarily agricultural country to an industrial one, and created a great social upheaval.

4. Historical Background • New class distinctions emerged from the growth of industrial production. A new middle class began to emerge. • Upper class and gentry – landowners • Middle class – shopkeepers and the merchant • Low class and the poor – factory workers or the unemployed • Rural life was ruled by a strict social hierarchy. • Lords and the aristocracy • Gentry class • The Linton family • Gentleman farmers • Prosperous enough to maintain lifestyles similar to the gentry

5. Emily Brontë • Born in northern England in 1818 • Daughter of a reverend and his wife • Reclusive • Had few friends outside of her family • However, Brontë was exposed to a microcosm of society through her father’s congregation. • The people in her home of Haworth, Yorkshire were characterized as being blunt, passionate, and using colorful speech. • These attitudes made their way into Wuthering Heights. • The novel is an accurate depiction of Yorkshire.

6. Emily Brontë • Brontë’s sisters were Charlotte Brontë and Anne Brontë. • Charlotte – Jane Eyre (1847) • Anne – Agnes Grey (1847) • The three published poems under the pseudonyms of Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. • Brontë tended to her brother Branwell, who was dying from alcoholism and drug abuse. • She caught a severe cold at his funeral, which developed into tuberculosis. She died shortly after him in 1848.

7. Wuthering Heights • The novel depicts the dark side of human nature, using violence and obsessive love. • Novel deviated from the norm of the Victorian period • Sinister realism • Dark overtones • July 1848 issue of Graham’s Magazine – “vulgar depravity and unnatural horrors”

8. Wuthering Heights • Similar more to a Gothic horror • Ghosts • Supernatural • A tortured and dark protagonist • The novel was met with much criticism when first published. • Characters were classless, rough in nature, and angry. • However, the characters are true-to-life and her portrayal of the time period and laws are accurate. • Modern critics place Brontë among the best of Victorian writers. • While her sister Charlotte was more popular during the time period in which they lived, Emily is now looked at as the more talented of the two.

9. Themes • Spiritual love vs. superficial love • Constraint vs. freedom • Revenge and retribution for past sins • Impermanence of self and the permanence of something larger than self • Impermanence means temporary or not lasting.

10. Classwork • Complete classwork worksheet.

11. Homework • Read Chapters 1-2 of Wuthering Heights and answer the corresponding questions.

12. Do Now • What is your feeling about this story so far? Do you foresee a happy ending or a tragic one?

13. Chapters 1-2 • Compare and contrast the characters Heathcliff and Lockwood. Does Lockwood’s impression of Heathcliff change by the time he leaves Wuthering Heights? • Discuss the meaning of the name of Heathcliff’s home, Wuthering Heights. Does the name reflect Heathcliff’s personality or the home itself? • Lockwood appears to be attracted to Cathy, as he describes her beauty and flirts with her at the end of Chapter 2. Argue whether or not Lockwood has genuine feelings for Cathy.

14. Characters • Lockwood • Narrator of the novel before Nelly Dean takes over • Heathcliff’s tenant at Thrushcross Grange • Nelly Dean • Also referred to as Ellen Dean. • Housekeeper for the Earnshaws • Grows up serving Catherine and later serves Heathcliff • All characters confide in her. • Narrates the past action of the story to Lockwood.

15. Characters • Two Catherines • One is the mother, the other the daughter. • Both are called Cathy at different points throughout the novel. • But the daughter is often referred to as “Little Cathy.”

16. Family Tree Mr. Linton d. 1780 Mrs. Linton d. 1780 Mr. Earnshaw d. 1777 Mrs. Earnshaw d. 1773 Heathcliff b. 1764 d. 1802 Isabella b. 1765 d. 1797 Edgar b. 1762 d. 1801 Catherine b. 1765 d. 1784 Hindley b. 1757 d. 1784 Frances d. 1778 Linton b. 1784 d. 1801 Catherine b. 1784 Hareton b. 1778

17. Classwork • Complete classwork worksheet.

18. Homework • Read Chapter 3 of Wuthering Heights and answer the corresponding questions.

19. Do Now • In the novel, the setting directly affects the feelings and reactions of the characters. How can your surroundings affect you? Have you ever been in a situation where the characteristics of a certain place affected you, be it negatively or positively?

20. Chapter 3 • Although Lockwood is a minor character, Brontë provides sufficient information for us to develop a clear picture of him. Write a brief character sketch describing Lockwood, focusing on his perceived similarities to Heathcliff. • In many novels, the setting functions like a character; without its unique qualities, the story wouldn’t be the same. Describe the Yorkshire countryside, discussing why its characteristics are essential to the novel. • What is revealed about Heathcliff when he hears of the ghost? What does his reaction tell you about his mental state?

21. Classwork • Complete classwork worksheet.

22. Homework • Read Chapters 4-6 of Wuthering Heights and answer the corresponding questions.

23. Do Now • What is oppression? Have you ever felt you were the victim of oppression?

24. Chapters 4-6 • Discuss the difference between the way Mr. Earnshaw treats Hindley and Heathcliff. Based on your reading of the novel, argue whether or not Mr. Earnshaw has any legitimate reasons as to why he treats Heathcliff better than he does Hindley. • Discuss the relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff. • How does Nelly Dean describe Joseph in Chapter 5?

25. Classwork • Complete classwork worksheet.

26. Homework • Read Chapter 7 of Wuthering Heights and answer the corresponding questions.

27. Do Now • In life, there are instances where you can choose to stand up for yourself or simply stay quiet. Was there ever such an instance in your life, where you felt the need to speak up in your own defense or on your own behalf? Did you speak up? How did it feel? How did it change your perception of yourself? How did it change others’ perception of you? Describe.

28. Chapter 7 • There is enormous hatred between Hindley and Heathcliff. Both boys feel cheated of something the other possesses. Which one do you feel has the more legitimate complaint? Defend Heathcliff or Hindley based on whom you believe has the most justification. • Social class issues have begun to surface in recent chapters. Much of Heathcliff’s social inferiority is due to his swarthy appearance and lack of family background. Discuss his treatment by the Lintons compared to their behavior toward Catherine in this context.

29. Classwork • Complete classwork worksheet.

30. Homework • Read Chapter 8 of Wuthering Heights and answer the corresponding questions.

31. Do Now • Many of the characters’ lives have turned out quite differently that they would have hoped. What do you do when your expectations turn out differently than you had expected? How do you deal with the disappointment?

32. Chapter 8 • Discuss Catherine’s “double character.” How does this affect her relationship with Heathcliff? • Discuss the theme of the divided self: man’s natural instincts in conflict with society’s adopted values. Using Edgar and Catherine as examples, discuss how these two aspects of human nature can or cannot be reconciled.

33. Classwork • Complete classwork worksheet.

34. Homework • Read Chapter 9 of Wuthering Heights and answer the corresponding questions.

35. Do Now • In this chapter, Catherine decides to marry Edgar. What does her choice tell you about the rules of marriage during the time period?

36. Chapter 9 • Write a character sketch of Edgar Linton, delineating his growth from a spoiled, indulged child of privilege into a gentleman of honor and respect. • Discuss Catherine’s decision to marry Edgar. Why does she choose to marry Edgar when she is in love with Heathcliff? • Discuss Nelly’s reaction to Catherine’s decision to marry Edgar.

37. Classwork • Complete classwork worksheet.

38. Homework • Read Chapter 10 of Wuthering Heights and answer the corresponding questions.

39. Do Now • The women in the novel are, in some cases, victims of their social class. What was a woman’s role in England or the United States 150 years ago? What sorts of conflicts do you suppose many women experienced? What has changed for women since then? What problems or conflicts still exist for women? Describe.

40. Chapter 10 • How did Catherine adjust to married life? Do you think her periods of depression were simply part of the normal ups and downs of life or are there special reasons for her feelings? • Discuss Isabella’s attraction to Heathcliff. How do Edgar and Catherine react to Isabella’s feelings for Heathcliff?

41. Classwork • Complete classwork worksheet.

42. Homework • Read Chapter 11 of Wuthering Heights and answer the corresponding questions.

43. Do Now • In this chapter, Catherine vows to be self-destructive in order to prove her point to others. Have you ever done anything out of spite that ended up causing you more problems in the long term? As the cliché goes, have you ever cut your nose to spite your face?

44. Chapter 11 • Describe Hareton. How has Heathcliff influenced Hareton’s behavior? • What upsets Nelly when she visits the Heights? • What physical violence occurs between Edgar and Heathcliff? What do their responses show you about each of them? • How does Cathy view her role in her current situation? • Discuss Heathcliff’s plan for revenge. How does his plan affect Edgar, Catherine, Hindley, and Isabella? Why, according to Heathcliff, is Catherine spared from his revenge?

45. Classwork • Complete classwork worksheet.

46. Homework • Read Chapter 12 of Wuthering Heights and answer the corresponding questions.

47. Do Now • In this chapter, Catherine may be feigning mental illness to get what she wants. Have you ever tried to manipulate a situation to have the end result be what you desire? What did you do? How did the situation turn out?

48. Chapter 12 • Based on your reading of the novel, argue whether Catherine has truly gone insane, or if she acting insane for purely manipulative reasons. • What promise does Catherine make in this chapter? • Who do you think tried to hang Isabella’s dog?

49. Classwork • Complete classwork worksheet.

50. Homework • Read Chapter 13 of Wuthering Heights and answer the corresponding questions.