Revision as of 12:47, 26 November 2004 editAshley Pomeroy (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers13,674 edits ... and several other novelists - I don't see the connection.← Previous edit | Revision as of 12:48, 26 November 2004 edit undoAshley Pomeroy (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers13,674 editsm Punctuality, strong and warm and wild and freeNext edit → | ||
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'''''Wuthering Heights''''' is ]'s only ]. Published in ], it has become a classic of ], and has given rise to many adaptations, including several ]s, ] and ] dramatisations, and a ], as well as inspiring a hit song by ]. A posthumous second edition was edited by her sister ]. | '''''Wuthering Heights''''' is ]'s only ]. Published in ], it has become a classic of ], and has given rise to many adaptations, including several ]s, ] and ] dramatisations, and a ], as well as inspiring a hit song by ]. A posthumous second edition was edited by her sister ]. | ||
The setting for the book is Brontë's native ] ]. It takes the form of the ] of a minor character, Lockwood, who through conversations is told the tale of the principal protagonists. This framing device gives distance to the events. Nellie Dean, the secondary narrator recounts scenes of strong emotion, violence and ] in a manner which is not completely dispassionate, but somewhat detached |
The setting for the book is Brontë's native ] ]. It takes the form of the ] of a minor character, Lockwood, who through conversations is told the tale of the principal protagonists. This framing device gives distance to the events. Nellie Dean, the secondary narrator, recounts scenes of strong emotion, violence and ] in a manner which is not completely dispassionate, but somewhat detached; she is not surprised at the extremes she recounts. | ||
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Revision as of 12:48, 26 November 2004
Wuthering Heights is Emily Brontë's only novel. Published in 1847, it has become a classic of English literature, and has given rise to many adaptations, including several films, radio and television dramatisations, and a musical, as well as inspiring a hit song by Kate Bush. A posthumous second edition was edited by her sister Charlotte.
The setting for the book is Brontë's native Yorkshire moors. It takes the form of the first-person narrative of a minor character, Lockwood, who through conversations is told the tale of the principal protagonists. This framing device gives distance to the events. Nellie Dean, the secondary narrator, recounts scenes of strong emotion, violence and sadism in a manner which is not completely dispassionate, but somewhat detached; she is not surprised at the extremes she recounts.
The anti-hero is the foundling Heathcliff, who is taken in by the wealthy Earnshaw family as a child, and falls in love with their daughter, Catherine. But he is not considered good enough to marry her. Instead, Cathy marries a wealthy neighbour, Linton, and the embittered Heathcliff sets out to ruin the fortunes of her family, which he does over a period of many years.
Thematic Analysis
There exist in the world books which require the reader to search every facet of their composition for a message, a moral or didactic to take from them. However, Wuthering Heights does not have this - despite owning many elements that would suggest this might be the case (symbolism is rife at times and devices such as metaphor and metonymy are used throughout). The underlining power of the book is story-telling. This is a subtle feature, but upon reading and then reflecting on the book it is clear that the words of Nelly Dean, transported to us through the window-like character of Lockwood, are intended to provoke emotions in the reader in such a way that the story develops with your feelings; so strong are the descriptions and in particular the character of Heathcliff.
Film & Television Adaptations
Perhaps the best-known of the film adaptations was released in 1939. It stars Merle Oberon as Cathy Linton, Laurence Olivier as Heathcliff, David Niven as Edgar Linton, Flora Robson as Ellen Dean, Donald Crisp as Dr. Kenneth, Geraldine Fitzgerald as Isabella Linton and Leo G. Carroll as Joseph Earnshaw. The film was adapted by Charles MacArthur, Ben Hecht and John Huston. It was directed by William Wyler. The movie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
A 1992 film adaptation was the first one to show both generations from the story; that is Heathcliff, Cathy, Edgar, and Hindley, as well as their children. Juliette Binoche plays two roles, Catherine Earnshaw and her daughter. Ralph Fiennes plays Heathcliff.
A 1953 adaptation on BBC Television was scripted by Nigel Kneale, directed by Rudolph Cartier and starred Yvonne Mitchell as Cathy. Sadly, this version does not survive in the BBC archives.
Opera
Carlisle Floyd wrote an opera based on this novel in 1958.
Role-Playing Game Adaptation
The Wuthering Heights Roleplay game is a role-playing game based on the French "René le Jeu de Rôle Romantique" by Philippe Tromeur.
This is a parody game, free for download here : http://philippe.tromeur.free.fr/rene.htm
Song by Kate Bush
Wuthering heights is also the title of a song by Kate Bush. It appears on her 1978 debut album, The Kick Inside, and was also released asher debut single. It quickly reached number one in the UK pop charts, and propelled the singer to widespread fame. Its lyrics are based on the story of the novel. Kate Bush was inspired to write the song after watching the 1939 version of the film.