Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Wuthering Heights Questions #7

Locate and identify some examples of symbolism found near the end of the novel.

3 comments:

Emily A said...

The main symbolic event at the end of the novel was when little Catherine and Hareton move out of WH and into TG. This not only symbolizes the start of their new life together, but also the end of all the animocity between the families and houses. Lockwood even admits to being "glad when they leave it, and shift to the Grange," (384).
Heathcliff's death is looming and in his state of dying, he mentions to Nelly that "there is a strange change approaching-[he's] in its shadow at the present," (369). Heathcliff's death symbolizes the end of his reigning terror over the inhabitants of the houses. Without him terrorizing them, they can live in peace and happiness and not have the sins of their ancestors hanging over their heads.
The appearance of ghosts at the end could also symbolize the hurt and scars left by the evil acts of the dead. When Lockwood encounters a little boy who saw "Heathcliff, and a woman, yonder, under t' Nab," (384) Lockwood "saw nothing" (384). Although the dead may be trying to influence the living still, they cannot touch them in reality.

Emily A said...

eeek Mrs. Dorwart, It's 10 and I'm not feeling good, so I'm going to bed. I have seen no Wuthering Heights Question #8 yet, so again this is my proof that I tried.

Anonymous said...

Like Emily said, I think it is very symbolic that Catherine and Hareton move out of WH and into TG. They leave the storminess and the tormoil of WH behind, and move on with their lives. It is symbolic that it is the end, and there are better things to come. It is symbolic that they are going to TG, because that has been the better more peaceful place throughout the novel, and it is time for people to leave WH behind. The fact that Heathcliff is dying when all of this happens is very important as well. He can't really do anything about what's going on because he cannot cause any more problems. Once he dies the property will no longer be his, and he won't be able to cause misery in the lives of others. For once the inhabitants of TG can live, without the threat of Heathcliff ruining what's good. Who know's if Heathcliff actually ever achieved the type of revenge that he sought after, but by his death a new chapter was opened, and people are able to move on.