Wuthering Heights: Violence and cruelty

Summary

The video script discusses the pervasive violence in 'Wuthering Heights,' highlighting its shocking impact on early readers. It delves into the novel's portrayal of cruelty from the beginning, with children's harsh treatment of Heathcliff and the calculated violence in the latter half. The script suggests Emily Brontë's fascination with violence may stem from primal emotions, creating a novel that is both seductive and terrifying. Early reviews found the book disgusting yet powerful, showcasing Brontë's innovative contribution to English literature.

Takeaways

• 📚 'Wuthering Heights' is characterized by its violent themes, evident from the outset with Lockwood's encounter with aggressive dogs and a bucket of cold water.
• 🐶 The presence of violence is not limited to adults but is also depicted among children, showing a cycle of cruelty that permeates throughout the novel.
• 🎁 Catherine Earnshaw's request for a whip from Liverpool, and the arrival of Heathcliff instead, symbolizes the introduction of a destructive force into the family.
• 🔪 Heathcliff embodies a cruel power that is initially raw and uninhibited, but becomes more calculated and strategic in the latter part of the novel.
• 🔮 The novel's portrayal of violence was shocking to early reviewers, who found it to be wild, disgusting, and horrifying, contrasting with the genteel novels of the time.
• 🤔 Emily Brontë's fascination with violence may stem from her ability to tap into primitive and primal emotions from childhood, contrasting with the controlled adult world.
• 📖 The novel is seen as a departure from the norm, introducing a new element to the English novel that combines seduction with terror.
• 😨 Early reviews described the novel as shocking and disgusting, with details of cruelty, inhumanity, and diabolical hate and vengeance.
• ❤️ Despite the violence, there are passages that testify to the supreme power of love, suggesting a complex interplay between love and hate.
• 👩‍🦰 The female characters in the book are described as having a strange, fiendish, and angelic nature, being both tantalizing and terrible.
• 👨‍🦰 The male characters are deemed indescribable, with their nature being so unique that it defies description outside the context of the book.

Q & A

How is violence introduced in the beginning of 'Wuthering Heights'?

Violence is introduced right from the start when Lockwood is attacked by savage dogs and then doused with cold water upon entering the house.

What did Cathy ask for as a present from her father from Liverpool, and what did she receive instead?

Cathy asked for a whip as a present, but instead, she received Heathcliff.

How does the treatment of Heathcliff by the children reflect the theme of cruelty in the novel?

The children's cruel treatment of Heathcliff upon his arrival at Wuthering Heights sets the tone for the pervasive theme of cruelty throughout the novel.

What does Cathy say to Heathcliff and Linton that exemplifies the level of cruelty among the characters?

Cathy expresses her cruelty by saying, 'I hope he'll flog you sick,' which shows the harsh and uncontrolled nature of the characters' interactions.

How does the violence in 'Wuthering Heights' evolve from the first to the second half of the book?

The violence becomes more controlled and calculated in the second half of the book, with Heathcliff using his power in a more realistic and strategic manner.

What was the reaction of early reviewers to the violence depicted in 'Wuthering Heights'?

Early reviewers were shocked and disgusted by the details of cruelty, inhumanity, and diabolical hate and vengeance in the novel.

How does Emily Brontë's portrayal of violence differ from the novels of her time?

Emily Brontë's portrayal of violence is more wild, uninhibited, and shocking, contrasting with the genteel novels that were common during her time.

What is the reviewer's opinion on the women characters in 'Wuthering Heights'?

The reviewer describes the women in the book as having a strange, fiendish, angelic nature that is both tantalizing and terrible.

What is the reviewer's opinion on the men characters in 'Wuthering Heights'?

The reviewer finds the men characters indescribable, suggesting that their nature is so complex and multifaceted that it cannot be easily summarized.

How does the novel 'Wuthering Heights' unite seemingly incompatible qualities?

The novel unites seductive and terrifying qualities, offering a powerful testimony to the supreme power of love even over demons and the human form.

What might be Emily Brontë's fascination with violence according to the script?

Emily Brontë's fascination with violence might stem from her ability to keep in touch with primitive, primal emotions from her childhood, which she could control as an adult but knew could be much more cruel or destructive.