1. Why do you think Bronte portrays Catherine's ghost as a young, restless child? (Chapter 3)
2. What evidence in this chapter enforces the idea that Catherine and Heathcliff are soulmates? (Chapter 5)
3. When Catherine returns from Thrushcross Grange, she appears to have changed drastically. Do you believe that she is truly changed or that her change is merely physical? (Chapter 7)
4. What is Catherine's inner conflict? In your opinion, should she marry Edgar or Heathcliff? (Chapter 9)
68 comments:
4. Catharine’s inner conflict is whether she should merry Edgar or Heithclif. Edgar loves and adores her, he can provide for her comfortably for the rest of her life, and he is above her in social class. However Heithclif has been the friend since early childhood, she and he are sole mates. She is not sure which one she should marry; if she were to marry Hethclif they would have a much harder life, but she really loves him. If she marries Edgar she will have a carefree life but will lose her sole mate. I think she should marry Heithclif, because she really loves him, she has no real reason to marry Edgar and she knows it in her heart too- that’s why she tells Nelly she thinks she made the wrong choice. Marrying for money never works out well, that is how tragic plot lines develop in romantic books. Plus the fact that she herself thinks she should marry Heithclif tells me that she will not be happy if she marries Edgar.
J. Moore
3. When Catherine returns from Thrushcross Grange, she only appears to be changed. Mr. and Mrs. Linton have altered her appearance and her manners but they have not changed her. Catherine now dresses and talks more appropriately but her mind and soul have remained the same. The change she has experienced is strictly physical and materialistic. Catherine is only in this situation because her 'carefree' and 'kid attitude' landed her in trouble while she was playing with Heathcliff. When Catherine and Heathcliff are reuinited in the novel, her first impression of him is different. This is only because she has spent so much time with the wealthy and upper class Linton family and she is not used to Heathcliffs appearence and behavior. Once the initial shock has worn off, Catherine and Hethcliff are once again bestfriends and she obviously still cares about the things she did at the beginning of the novel.
M.LAGRO
i think that after chatharine returns from thrushcross grange she is mentally unchanged, but physically changed. she changed her appearance a lot. she used to be a very dirty and unkemp girl. she did not care how she dressed or what others thought of her. when she returned she appeared to be very proper and a "nice" girl. she tried to portray herself as this standup citizen who fits in very well with society. as we read on in the story we soon findout that she has not mentally changed at all. she is very standoffish and has bad temper that she unleashes upon Nelly right in front of edgar. edgar is shocked by this but still proposes to her. she is trying to do what will help her the most and not what her heart desires, this also demostrates how she has not changed
A KACHUR
2. The idea that Heathcliff and Catherine are soulmates is further enforced by the death of their father, Mr. Earnshaw. The two had been close friends growing up at Wuthering Heights together, but this loss allowed them to come closer. When Nelly approaches Catherine's doorway, planning on consoling the young girl, she finds that Heathcliff is already by her. Heathcliff and Catherine were able to calm each other down, without help from Nelly. Nelly says that their consoling thoughts were of more comfort than anything she could have said. The two seemed so innocent and beautiful together, painting the picture that they could be the perfect soulmates. Mr. Earnshaw's death is the event that brings Catherine and Heathcliff closer than ever.
B. Hradisky
1. So far in the story, Catherine has acted as a child. Her mindset is one of a child even as she grows. Her mischief and emotions are immature and naive. Her ghost protrays her as the person she was. If she was always a child at heart, her real self is defined in the image of her ghost as a child. Even aftr marrying Edgar, she "flew upstairs, breathless and wild". Her excitement to see her old friend, Heathcliff, return had caused quite a rush and ran absurd like a little kid. The ghost of Catherine had refined the fact that she had always had the inner spirit of a child and Bronte had presented that by having it as the figure the ghost shape took. She was a free-spirited person through any situation she was put againtst, whether it was in her own play or in the presence of Heathcliff. It was only right of Bronte to display her as a child and nothing else.
E. Sullivan
Catherine is portrayed as a young child when she is a ghost because she acted like a child everytime she was out with Heathcliff. She went on in life not caring what anyone else thinks and she is a freewilled and wild type of character. After she starts becoming proper and obedient her life starts going down the drain, so she wants to stay in her childhood to remember all the fun times she had.
K Baxter
4. The inner conflict that catherine must confront can be boiled down to love versus money. There is an array of evidence found in the novel to support the idea that Heathcliff is the man that Catherine really loves. One of these is the scene in the kitchen in which Catherine tells Nelly that her and Heathcliff are basically one person. Catherine herself admits to wanting to marry Heathcliff, but states that she would be degrading herself if she did so. It is also strange that Catherine performs acts of violence in the presence of Edgar with much more frequency than in the presence of Heathcliff. This suggests her insecurity with the idea of marrying Edgar and committing the rest of her life to be with him. The internal conflict of Catherine is a powerful foreshadowing tool used by Bronte that foreshadows the ultimate downfall of Catherine adn the revenge that Heathcliff will later seek. This conflict also helps set the tone of the novel as a gothic-romantic story of obsessive love.
B. Towers
2. Catherine and Heathcliffe share a very special bond, and are portrayed to the reader as being soul mates throughout this chapter. The death of Mr. Earnshaw brings Catherine and Heathcliffe even closer, displaying their affactiion for eachother. "The little souls were comforting eachother with better thoughts than I could have hit: no parson in the world ever pictured Heaven so beautifully as they did," (40) Mrs. Dean gives this evidence here as when she found the children after their father's death; they consoled and comforted eachother more than she could ever have done. It reveals to the reader that there could be something more to their relationship, something that is hard to find just anywhere. It foreshadows that not only do they prove to be soul mates, but they are destined to be in eachother's future as well.
J. Milner
Catherine's inner conflict is whether to marry Edgar Linton, who is rich and well to do or Heathcliff who is looked upon so lowly because Edgar Linton. Catherine should marry Heathcliff because he is her soul mate and she would live an unhappy life if she where to live with Linton. "It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff, now; so he shall never know how I love him...Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same..." (59) Yes, Catherine would have a harder life if she married Heathcliff and she would live a high life if she married Linton, but if she is not happy, then you cannot live life very well. Money is not the key to happiness and a successful marriage. If Catherine is intelligent enough, I will hope she marries Heathcliff.
N. Dunlavy
1. Bronte portrays Catherine's ghost as a child, because to Heathcliff this is the way he chooses to remember her. The best times he had with Catherine were before she had grown up, when they were just two children having fun and things like social class and wealth didn't matter to them. She didn't care what anyone thought of her and didn't act how she thought she was supposed to. In the past no one could keep Catherine and Heathcliff apart, but no matter how much he tries he can't become united with the ghost, proving why the ghost is so restless. Before Catherine stayed at Thrushcross Grange and became friends with the Linton children she was Heathcliff's only and dearest friend. However the ghost's name is Catherine Linton. This shows that despite the fact that the ghost is depicted as the Catherine he loves he is still aware of what happened between them and the cause of his pain. Althought the ghost is a figment of his mind he still has some concept of reality showing that he is not mentally unstable, but deeply upset and longing to have the Catherine back that he loved. Heathcliff is portrayed as a very cold, unpassionate man but this shows a side of him that reveals that he is in pain and has been for a long time. He may hide it well but inside it's taking its tole on him. If Catherine had been portrayed as an adult it wouldn't have the same effect on the reader.
4. The inner conflict of Catherine is whether she should marry Edgar or Heathcliff. Edgar is rich and he is in a higher social class than Catherine and he loves her. Heathcliff and Catherine have experience together. They grew up together and they were close to each other while growing up when their father died. If she marries Heathcliff her life would be hard but if she married Edgar her life would be easier, nut she does not love him. Heathcliff is her soul mate and she loves him dearly. She does not know who to marry so she talks to Nelly and tells Nelly that she said yes to marrying Edgar. She thinks she did not make the right choice and wants Nelly to know what she said. The only reason Catherine will not marry Heathcliff is because of the social standings, "it would degrade her to marry him" (59). She loves Heathcliff but she won't marry him because of the social standings. I thinks she should marry Heathcliff because if she does not she will lose her soul mate and when you find your soul mate you never want to let go and be with them forever. If she were to marry Edgar I think she would not be happy and maybe all the time she would think of Heathcliff and not Edgar. Marrying Heathcliff will not make her life easy but she will be happy and love life and it would be the opposite if she married Edgar. That is why she should marry Heathcliff and not Edgar.
A. Kinnan
2. It is obvious in chapter 5 that Catherine and Heathcliff are soulmates. As the two characters get over the death of their father, Mr. Earnshaw, they share a special bond. Catherine escapes to her bedroom and Nelly runs to comfort her. However, Heathcliff is already their by her side and is not needed anymore. They comfort eachother through the tragic loss. A quote to support this is, "I saw they had never laid down, though it was past midnight; but they were calmer, and did not need me to console them"(Bronte 31). Bronte uses this interaction to reveal the idea that Catherine and Heathcliff are soulmates, and can foreshadow to the reader that something may happen between them in the future.
Lauren Skonieczny
3. When Catherine returns from Thrushcross Grange, she appears to have changed drastically. Do you believe that she is truly changed or that her change is merely physical? (Chapter 7)
I do belive that Catherine's change was only physical. Just becasue you change your clothes does not mean that you are changed in the inside too. She was only at Thrushcross Grange for three weeks and to change who you are would take longer then that. She has not changed in the inside because shes still the same girl who wants to run around and play with Heathcliff. However she can not do this because of who her family is. Since she was starting to get older, she was not acting like a "lady" and they thought that it must be changed. I think that if she really wanted she could go right back to who she used to be but that would be bad to her reputation and to her family.
4. The inner conflict that Catherine faces comes down to if she wants to marry for love or for money. Heathcliff represents love while Edgar represents money. Of courseif this was a happy novel, Catherine would marry for money,realize her mistake, regret it and then leave with Heathcliff for a better life, but since this isn't happy, the novels star-crossed lover will never be together. Not that I care for i can;\'t stand either of them. I can relate to neither of them, and is kind of important for a love story. Instead they both annoy me to no end and Edgar is just as annoying. So far I could really care less about this love triangle.
I. Benson
Catherine is having an inner conflict about whether she should marry for money and class by marrying Edgar or she should marry for true love by marrying Heathcliff. During her long explanation to Nelly she states that she loves Edgar but wouldn't if he was not hangdsome and young, and he did not have money. She also says that she loves Heathcliff in a way that he can never know, but she can never marry him because she is not willing to degrade herself. Because of how she feels, there is no doubt in my mind that she should marry Heathcliff. She said herself that she would rather all of the Lintons melt than herself forsake Heathcliff. Marrying anyone else beside Heathcliff would be forsaking him, and therefore she could not do it and be happy. Also, I think that Catherine does not understand her love for Heathcliff so she does not understand the inability she will have to be with anyone other than him.
Stephen Doughten
Chapter 9
Catherine is obviously wrought with inner conflict over whether she should marry Edgar or Heithcliff. However, who she should marry is not quite clear. I think that, no matter who she marries, she would be miserable sooner or later. She loves "The ground under [Edgars] feet, and the air over his head, and everything he touches, and every word he says. [She loves]all his looks, and all his actions, and him entirely and altogether." (73) But then she tells us how she loves Heathcliff because "He is more [herself] than [she] is." (75) Either way she will be happy to begin with, and because of how hard to please she actually is, we all know that she will not be happy for long. But isn't that how it is with everyone? No one is pleased for very long.
Now, in order to give a real reason and to actually answer the question, I think she should marry Heathcliff. Why? Because Bronte believes in soul mates and decided to make the characters that way in order to make conflict. But enough of being a pessimist. Because they are soul mates, she should marry Heathcliff. She believes that she and Heathcliff have souls made of the same materials, while "Linton's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire." (75) Bronte is obviously trying to get us to believe that Heathcliff is getting cheated out of what could be a perfect relationship, so therefore, in order to fulfill the authors wishes, Catherine should marry Heathcliff, although I don't actually believe that it really matters.
3. When Catherine returns from Thrushcross Grange, she appears to have changed drastically. Do you believe that she is truly changed or that her change is merely physical? (Chapter 7)
I think that the change in Catherine when she returns from Thrushcross Grange is defintly only physical. She did look more sophisticated with her hair done right, and clothes looking proper, but that does not mean you have changed on the inside. Anyone can change their physical appearence, but truly changing somone of what they are is a little more complex. As a child, Catherine is a mischeviuos, curiuos girl, and when she returns, nothing has changed. For example, when Catherine slaps Nelly, she is obviously being her own stuck up self, and has not changed. Her attitude and actions as a child, and growing up have led me to beleive Catherine's change at Thrushcross Grange was only a physical change.
3. I do not believe she has fully changed mentally like she has physically. She has not totally turned her back on the way she was and on Heathcliff. She has changed enough though to give her a tough internal conflict between her new “life” at Thrushcross Grange with Edgar, and her relationship with Heathcliff. At Thrushcross Grange she is taught to be a young lady, and that people should be clean and orderly. When she comes back to Wuthering Heights she sees that Heathcliff is neither of those. She hasn’t totally changed; if she had she would have totally dismissed Heathcliff and his unorderly appearance, rather than just pointing it out. When she did this she did not really show discontent, but was just pointing it out, but this was the start of Catherine’s main internal conflict.
When Catherine returns from Thrushcross Grange, she appears to have changed drastically. Do you believe that she is truly changed or that her change is merely physical?
When Catherine returns from Thrushcross Grange, she appears to have changed. Catherine has physically changed, and now she looks older. I dont think that Catherine has truly changed. Nelly said "Instead of finding her outsid, I heard her voice within. The little monkey had crept by the skylight of on garret, along the roof, into the skylight of the other, and it was with the utmost difficulty I could coaz her out again." (43) This quote shows how Cathy is still mischivious, and loves Heathcliff. You can change your apperance, but not who you are. Cathy is a perfect example.
r. price
Catherine's inner conflict includes the idea that if she should marry Edgar or her soul mate, Heathcliff. For Catherine, marrying Edgar would be the socially acceptable thing to do. Edgar is of a high social class, the same as Catherine, and can provide Catherine with a comfortable life. Although, Catherine's true love is Heathcliff. Catherine truly loves Heathcliff, but if she should marry him, it would be viewed as socially incorrect. In my opinion Catherine should marry Edgar. Portrayed in The Great Gatsby, Daisy Buchanon's true love is Gatsby but instead she stays in her relationship with Tom Buchanon, and in the end of the novel is still happy with her relationship. I belive that if Catherine married Heathcliff there love with dwindle and would eventually lose the passion they once had.
S. Deptola
Catherine and Heathcliff are soulmates becasue they are always happy when they are together. For example, when trying to punish Catherine the greatest punishment they could think of was to seperate them. Another example is when Mr. Earnshaw died; Nelly Dean felt as if she needed to say something to the children, but she realized that Heathcliff and Catherine were better off comforting each other.This reveals that everything is ok as long as they are together. They can keep each other happy. In chapter six it continues to say that, "they forgot everything the minute they were together"(33). All of these evidences enforce the idea that Heathcliff and Catherine are soulmates.
~E Curtis
When Catharine returns from Thrusscross Grange, she appears to be changed both mentally and physicaly. While at Thrusscross Grange Catharine gets to see how the wealthy people in society live. While there Mr. and Mrs. Linton have changed they way she dresses and her manners. But when Catharine returns, she is still the same old Catherine in some ways. When she returns she still wants to be around Heathcliff. She hugs him, even though he is covered in dirt and she is nicely dressed and cleaned. After the intial shock of her returning Cathrine becomes herself again. Her bad temper is shown when she lashes out at Nelly. Also Catharine and Heathcliff become best friends. That is why Catharine has only changed physically after returning from Thrusscross Grange.
L. WEINKAUF
3. When Catherine returns to Wuthering Heights, she is truly changed. She is no longer carefree, playful, and childish. While she still holds immature qualities, she no acts as one of high rank in society. This is most evident in her relationship with Heathcliff. Prior to her absence, she played with him, going and staying where they liked. She did not notice their dirtiness, but rather ignored it and liked Heathcliff for who he was. When she returns, even though she kissed him many times, the first words out of her mouth were, "Why, how very black and crossyou look!" (p. 47) She immediately notices the difference in her appearance and his, noting that she is of higher class than him. Their separation continues after her return, until one night when Heathcliff overhears Catherine stating, "It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now." (p. 73) Before her leave to Thrushcross Grange, she would not have considered this as a possibility for them not being together. But this statement truly hsows that Cathy's absence did, in fact, cahnge her.
W. Domeck
When Catherine returns from Thrushcross Grange, physically she has changed drastically, as mentally/emotionally she reamins the same. "Why, Cathy, you are quite a beauty!" (37) As Mr. and Mrs. Linnton have changed Catherine into a beautiful, mannerly young women, she still contains qualities that imply of her inner self. The main quality being the intense love that she contains for her soulmate Heathcliff. "She cried when I told her you were off again this morning." (40) From this quote it is implied that Catherine misses Heatcliff deeply and regrets making mean comments towards him. This implies that the real Catherine is merely hiding behing her new and mannerly self. Thus, I beleive that Catheine has changed physically but mentally/emotiaonally she reamins the same. Her love for Heathcliff is one thing that she cannot hide.
Ashley Polk
4. Catherine’s inner conflict is whether or not to marry Edgar. She wants to be with Edgar because he is in the same social class as her and can provide for her. If she marries Edgar she will be comfortable for the rest of her life. However, she is in love with Heathcliff. Even though he is in a lower social class than her and doesn’t have any money to be able to provide for her, Catherine and Heathcliff are soul mates. She says “he’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same” (59). In my opinion, she should marry Heathcliff. She is in love with him, not Edgar. When Nelly asks her why she loves Edgar, Catherine cannot think of a genuine response. This shows that Catherine is not meant to be with Edgar, but with Heathcliff. Even though her life would be tougher, and they would have to work harder to succeed in life, it would be worth it because she would be with her one true love.
M.Sekela.
4. Catherine doesn't know if she should marry Heathcliff or Edgar, and this is her inner conflict. She goes to Nelly and tells her that Edgar asked her to marry him; she wants to know what she should have told him. When Nelly asks her if she loves Edgar, she responds, "Of course I do." (96). When Nelly asks Catherine why she loves him, she says, "And he will be rich, and I shall like to be the greatest woman of the neighbourhood, and I shall be proud of having such a husband." (97). Basically, Catherine is only drawn toward Edgar because of his money. Heathcliff doesn't have that much at this point in the novel. Catherine wants material goods that Edgar can afford, but it would be a trouble for Heathcliff. Of marrying Heathcliff, Catherine says, "It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff..." (100). I think she should marry Heathcliff because she loves him truly, not just for his money (not like she can because he doesn't have much). If everything was to end perfectly, she would've married Heathcliff and she wouldn't have died. I think even though she will marry Edgar, even though I don't think she should.
Elizabeth Manzetti
Cathrine's inner conflict is whether she should marry Edgar or Heathcliff. She feels as though she should marry Edgar becasue he is prim, proper, and high up on the social ladder. On the other hand, she knows in her heart she sould marry Heathcliff because they have been best friends since childhood and clearly love eachother deeply. There is a specific event in the text that exemplifies this; when Mr. Earnshaw was dying (their father) Heathcliff lays his head on Cathrines lap for comfort becasue he loves her and feels so comfortable with her. Seemingly, her only connection with Edgar is that he can provide security, money, and a big house if they were to get married. in my opinion, Cathrine should obviously marry Heathcliff. Marrying for happiness and love is what she needs to do. If she marries Edgar she will be sad and live an isolated life away from those who she truly loves in a closed in house with no friends or love. Marrying Heathcliff would make her happy even if she is not rich or she does not have a huge house. At least she will have true love.
racquel :)
3. After returning from Thrushcross Grange, Catherine had changed. By her appearance and manners, it's evident that her etiquette has altered. This has although did not change her personality. She only fits in her stereotype of being highclass citizen with appearance and manners. After making a joke on the lesser apearing Heathcliff, she apologizes like the old Catherine would. She has prevented her social status from completly envelopeing her. She may appear diffrent, but is the same Catherine in personality and heart.
Catherine's inner conflict is weather she should marry the man who she truly loves or a man who can provide her with security with money. Edgar Linton wants to marry Catherine, and she said yes to his proposal. As Catherine is talking to Nelly about weather it was the right answer, Nelly asks how she loves Heathcliff compared to how she loves Edgar. She says "My love for Linton is like the foilage in the woods. Time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath- a source of visible delight, but necessary" (60). She will be marrying within her own social class if she marries Edgar, and she will always have money and security. If she marries Heathcliff, she will be truly happy, but may not have the money and stay in her social class. In my opinion, Catherine should not marry Edgar if she really does not love him since this is a decision regarding the rest of her life. She is not thinking about her personal happiness instead of how she will be viewed by others.
A. pignatiello
1. Cathrine is portrayed as a child in her ghost because throughout the text she always has the spirit of a child. For example, "from the hour she came down stairs, to the hour she went to bed, we had not a moment;s security that she wouldn't be in mischief"(30). Through that quote the reader see's that Catherine has a childs spirit and likes to create drama and trouble like most children do, and that spirit follows her into adulthook. You see this when she is debating marrying Edgar or not. She claims that by marrying him she is benefiting Heathcliff, "I can aid Heathcliff to rise" but in her mind set, even though she loves Heathcliff she wants to marry Linton so that she has wealth, and stature. Cathy also shows characteristics of being childish when Heathcliff runs away after hearing Cathy's feelings for him while she talked with Nelly. Cathy refused to sleep that night and would go into hysterics which would draw attention and sympathy to her.
So when Bronte worte Catherines ghost in her child form she was foreshadowing into the story when the reader would learn about her and see that she never left her inner child, no matter how old she grew, Catherine always showed her inner child.
Emily Foster
When Catherine returns from Thrushcross Grange, she appears to have changed dramatically. However, she has only changed her appearance. It is impossible to change as a person in five weeks time. In order to change as a person, your beliefs, morals, and behaviors need to change. For Catherine to become a different person, something needed to have happened that shook her to the core and changed the way that she thought and felt about life. Everyone is on their best behavior around company, no one wants to be an embarassment to themselves or their family. Any change that one experiences after such a short visit would be equally short-lived. Catherine may have changed, but not for long.
A. Bruder
Catherine faces a difficult conflict within herself. Catherine must decipher to either posses money, or love. Whether to marry Heathcliffe, or Edgar is an internal conflict she must decide. Edgar falls into the same social class as Catherine, and could provide for her every need. Catherine seeks advice from Nelly, and expresses to Nelly that she does love Edgar, but also states, "And he will be rich, and I shall like to be the greatest woman of the neighbourhood, and I shall be proud of having such a husband." (97). This proves her inner desire for Edgar's money as well. As for Heathcliffe, Catherine has loved him since they were children. She states that she loves Heathcliffe, and tells Nelly, “he’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same” (59). This exhibits her true feelings as to how Heathcliffe is her soulmate. In my opinion, Catherine should marry Heathcliffe, because he will provide her with unconditional love. Although he does not obtain an equal amount of money as Edgar, Catherine has an instinct to marry her soulmate Heathcliffe, and she should pursue it.
J. Stawicki
4. M.Knapp
Catharine's inner conflict is the decision on whether or not she should marry Heathcliff or Edgar. Catharine has known Heathcliff for basically her whole life; they have shared memories and great times together that can never be replaced. Edgar is a handsome, rich, and intelligent man who has fallen for her and she has fallen equally in love with him. To me, the decision is very simple, she should marry Heathcliff. While having a intellectual conversation with Nelly, Catherine says, “My love for Linton is a mighty stranger..time will change it, I'm well aware of it. My love for Heathcliff resembles the internal rocks beneath..he's always, always on my mind"(Bronte 60). This quote portrays that time will change her love for Edgar, but nothing will change her love for Heathcliff. Therefore her decision should be to marry Heathcliff and follow her heart.
3.When Catherine returned home from Thrushcross Grange she was a changed person pyhsically. Heathcliff was worried and mad that she was changed, but he also thought that she was changed mentally. Cathy appeared as a young lady; with a dress and hair all done nicely. Her change was singly on proper dress and manners of higher class. She still liked Heathcliff and Never forgot about him or the great times they had. Cathy displays this through,"she begged that he might be liberated then" (Bronte 43). This was during the dance the night she returned and she wanted Heathcliff to be apart of the party. She missed him dearly. Cathy acts the same as before especially around Heathcliff.
3. After returning from Thrushcross Grange, Catherine had changed. By her appearance and manners, it's evident that her etiquette has altered. This has although did not change her personality. She only fits in her stereotype of being highclass citizen with appearance and manners. "' I didn't mean to laugh at you' she said..." (39) After making a joke on the lesser apearing Heathcliff, she apologizes like the old Catherine would. She has prevented her social status from completly envelopeing her. Heathclif may have believed otherwise, but she really misses him and wants to be with him. She may appear diffrent, but is the same Catherine in personality and heart.
S Corsi
4. Catharine’s inner conflict is that she can’t decide weather to marry Heathcliff or Edgar. In my opinion Catharine should with no doubt in her conscious mind choose Heathcliff. Yet I know that it will not go that way because romantic gothic novels never travel that path. Catharine decided to marry Edgar for his money high societal status and partial love. She renders herself inert from how she truly feels because her values are tangled with Edgar because she believes that marrying Heathcliff will degrade her social status and she refuses to do that for Edgar sake. This is portrayed when Catharine is speaking to Nelly and says “and if the wicked man had not brought Heathclifff so low, I shouldn’t have thought of it… It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now” (59 Bronte). Through out the text Catharine will struggle with her irrational decision to the point of her destruction. Catharine truly loves Heathcliff but can’t put aside her fantasies of being wealthy for true love. Catharine even admits that her choice was inappropriate during the novel several times. Catharine suffers great self inflicted sickness because of her delusional fantasies that she could marry Edgar and still be with Heathcliff portrayed through her actions of Heathcliff visiting her numerous times.
Queisser, Walter
1. Bronte portrays Catherine's ghost as a young, restless child because Heathcliff remembers her most fondly this way. Although the ghost frightens Mr. Lockwood in the third chapter, she is present still at Wuthering Heights to haunt Heathcliff. As a child, Heathcliff and Cathy are inseperable; they are happiest together. When Cathy is a child, nothing can sever her from her ties with Heathcliff- he is her best friend. "The greatest punishment we could invent for her was to keep her separate from him" (30). After Catherine stays at Thrushcross Grange, she has matured. She cares still about Heathcliff, but Edgar Linton catches her eye and she begins to think practically about whom she really loves instead of listening to her heart. She goes on to marry Linton, and so it is when she is an adolescent returning from Thrushcross Grange that the separation (caused mainly by social class) between Heathcliff and Catherine begins. Heathcliff loved Catherine all her life, but when they were young was when they were together and happiest, therefore causing her to appear as a young child to him.
B.FILARSKI
3. Catherines return from Thrushcross Grange was a suprising and shocking one. Not for the fact that she came back, but more for the fact that she has changed significantly. Mr. and Mrs. Linton took care of Catherine and attempted to force their beliefs and values upon her in what could be considered brainwashing. For example she appeared older, acted more mature, and thought illy of Heathcliff. Although the change seemed perminant it was meerly phisical. Mr. and Mrs. Linton was able to introduce Catherine to lady-like etiquette but was not able succeed in making it a complete part of her life. When Catherine first saw Heathcliff she laughed at him and described him as, "Funny and grim" (Bronte 38). Most likely Cathrine described him as this because she has been living at Thrushcross Grange where she surrounded herself with clean, proper people and to see the way her and her family have lived before was too shocking for her. After the shock wore off, Catherine acted as she had before and accepted Heathcliff.
M. Kuntz
4. Catherine's inner conflict is struggle, and decision to marry Edgar or Heathcliff. Edgar is “handsome, and young, and cheerful, and rich, and loves you” (Bronte 73). She would have a wealthier life style, but her inner feelings would not totally be met. Nelly states that there are several other handsome, rich men out in the world. Catherine could find money and looks, but love is hard to come by. Heathcliff is said to have the same soul as Catharine. “Whatever are souls are made of, his and mine are the same” (Bronte 75). She loves him not for his looks but for who he is. In my opinion she should marry Heathcliff because from my view, money and looks can fade but love is what stays. It is the one thing that can truly make a person happy.
G Lozanoff
3. After Catherine gets injured and then returns to Wuthering Heights, she appears to have changed physically but also mentally. Her appearance is that of a sophisticated young lady. As she talks with Heathcliff, she puts him down quite often. She calls him dirty and childish, and at one point she comments on his hair which offended Heathcliff quite a bit. Overall, Catherines biggest change was her mental state, though it seems as if it is an act perhaps to impress someone that she met at Thrushcross Grange (Edgar). Perhaps she realizes Heathcliff is the one for her, but he is not up to her standards as Edgar is.
F. Hirschman
1. Why do you think Bronte portrays Catherine's ghost as a young, restless child? (Chapter 3)
The reason Bronte portrays Catherine's ghost as a child is because he is foreshadowing the character that Catherine actually is. Even though her adulthood, she is still a child. Her temper has to be tended to, so she gets what she wants even as an adult. Her choice to marry Edgar is also childish, because she doesn't even have a reason why she loves him other than that she just can't marry Heathcliff. "It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him" Catherine's true form as a ghost is also as a child at Wuthering Heights because that's where she grew up. She is not at Wuthering Heights to haunt Lockewood, she is there to haunt Heathcliffe. Which is mostly shown when Heathcliff finds that Lockewood forced her away. He cries for her to come back. This is another reason that her ghost is portrayed as a restless child, she is restless because she wants to be with Heathcliff and he wants to be with her, but he cannot. And he remembers her as a child in her true form, when he was most happiest with her, and thats why she is there to haunt him in this form.
B. Basch
3.
When Catherine returns from Thrushcross Grange, she is obviously changed. I believe this change is merely physical, and not a true change. While at Thrushcross Grange, the Linton's are determined on changing Catherine's manners, apperance, and social graces. She transforms into a very young, proper, and well mannered lady. Upon returning to Wuthuring Heights, Catherine sees Heathcliff as dirty in comparison to the Linton children. This is only the inital shock because she is used to the significant time she has spent with the Linton's. She had become accustomed to their lifestyle. As the night progresses, Catherine grows upset with Hindley's insistant with locking Heathcliff in the attic, so she goes to see him. Once reunited, Catherine and Heathcliff bond like at the beginning of the novel. In all, Catherine had not mentally changed, just physically.
L. Kaplan
Bronte portrays Catherine's ghost as a young, restless child because Heathcliff fell in love with the young Catherine. He and Catherine are depicted as soulmates throughout the beginning of the text. It seems they will get married, until Catherine gets her ankle bitten. After that, both Catherine and Heathcliff's lives seem to spiral downward. Catherine's ghost is the ghost of the Catherine that Heathcliff loved, the reckless Catherine. In Chapter 14, Ellen is recalling a conversation she had with Heathcliff. She tells Heathcliff that, "Catherine Linton is as different now, from your old friend Catherine Earnshaw, as that young lady is different from me" (Bronte 109). This is like an indirect way of saying, "Heathcliff, she is no longer the girl you once loved, you must move on". Therefore, it is most logical for Bronte to portray Catherine's ghost as a young, restless child.
A. Hayes
The inner conflict Catherine is experiencing is whether she should marry Edgar Linton or Heathcliff. Edgar is very scholarly, intellectual, and rich, while Heathcliff is rough around the edges yet has a lot to offer, seeing as he loves Catherine more than Edgar does. I think Catherine should marry Heathcliff because if she was true of heart and wanted to be happy, she would want to be with her soul mate. However, Catherine feels she is too good for Heathcliff. This is proven when she says, "It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff, now; so he shall never know how I love him;..."(59). This proves that Catherine values money more than love.
J. Kovalik lol JK ;)
3. When Catherine returns from Thrushcross Grange, she appears to have changed drastically. Do you believe that she is truly changed or that her change is merely physical? (Chapter 7)
I do believe that Catherine has changed from her stay at Thrushcross Grange. However, I believe that the change is only physical. When she sees Heathcliff for the first time in awhile, her old feelings emerge again. "She flew to embrace him, she bestowed seven or eight kisses on his check within the second" (Bronte 38). Catherine's reaction to Heathcliff proves she is still who she was before her stay at Thrushcross Grange. She has changed externally, but not internally. It seems she just trying to satisfy everyone; well mannered for the Linton's and Hindley, and unchanged in the eyes of Heathcliff.
J Grubbs
4. In these early chapters of the book Catherine is confronted with the decision at hand; to choose between Edgar Linton or Heathciff. After returning from Thrushcross Grange Catherine reveals her natural instincts toward Heathcliff by kissing him. Later She collected herself and went back to her new proper personality. Edgar is sophisticated and wealthy where Heathcliff truly loves her. Heathcliff's low social status is holding him back from Catherine's heart. Nelly gives Catherine the advice to marry Edgar. Catherine states that it would degrade her to marry Heathcliff, yet she has also revealed that they are sole mates. It can be inferred that Catherine truly loves Heathcliff, but puts wealth as a high priority for marriage. Bronte uses Catherine's conflict to create the tone of the Romantic/Victorian era of intense conflicted love.
M. Carbone
Catherine is conflicted because she loves both Heathcliff and Edgar, and she does not know which one she should marry. She feels that it makes more sense for her to marry Edgar, because he has a high social standing and he can fully provide for her. However, Heathcliff is the one that she truely loves and cares for. In spite of this, she worries that if she were to marry Heathcliff, she would be embarrassed by his low social standing and inability to provide for her. I think that Catherine should choose to marry Heathcliff. When debating between marrying for love or for money, a person should always chose love. If she choses to marry Edgar, she will be taken care of, but she will be miserable and feel unsatisfied with her life. If she choses to marry Heathcliff, it may be more difficult for them to get by in life, but she will always be happy because of him.
H. Masch
Throughout chapter 5, many examples are present to reveal that Catherine and Heathcliff are indeed soul mates. While Mr. Earnshaw grows weaker, Catherine and Heathcliff’s bond grows stronger. For example, not long before Mr. Earnshaw’s death he started questioning his acts of parenting due to Catherine’s behavior issues. When they did not improve they thought of only one option; to isolate her from Heathcliff. “She was much too found of Heathcliff. The greatest punishment we could invent for her was to keep her separate from him” (Bronte 30). Having no other option to terminate Catherine’s bad behavior than to discontinue communications to Heathcliff proves that they both share a significant relationship. Furthermore, when Earnshaw passed away, Nelly found Heathcliff and Catherine comforting each other. “The little souls were comforting each other with better thoughts than I could have hit on “(Bronte 32). In conclusion, given the information present prove that Catherine and Heathcliff are soul mates. Their recognizable bond only grew stronger throughout the chapter.
K.Lackey.
Throughout the first half of the book Catherine's inner conflict has been focused on love verses money and high social ranking. Edgar is in the higher social class, and can provide well for Catherine with love and money. He truly does love her, but it seems that Catherine's heart is somewhere else. Catherine had grown up with Heathcliff where she has known him since there were children. Both Catherine and Heathcliff are truly in love with each other. If Catherine and Healthcliff were to marry and be together they would have a difficult life since Heathclif is of a lower social ranking, but i think that if there love is as strong as it is portrayed to be then i think there marriage will be greatly tested by there true love for each other. Where as on the other hand Edgar is very high class, and is prepared to provide everything and anything for Catherine. He loves her also and can provide necessities for her. If Catherine has to contemplate marrying Edgar, it's obvious that all her love is not there for him, and that her love is toward Heathcliff. So i think that picking the right man will be her tragic downfall, but in the end i can infer that she will choose Healthcliff because that is where her heart is, and is where she will be happy in the end.
m. verel
1. catharine's ghost is characterized as a young girl for a variety of reasons. The main reason is thats the age where heathcliff saw Catherine dead through his eyes. When Catherine chose to be with Edgar instead of Heathcliff, Heathcliff saw the catherine he loved die. And so from then on, everything he did was to enact revenge on those who had destroyed his hope of a happy life.
1. catharine's ghost is characterized as a young girl for a variety of reasons. The main reason is thats the age where heathcliff saw Catherine dead through his eyes. When Catherine chose to be with Edgar instead of Heathcliff, Heathcliff saw the catherine he loved die. And so from then on, everything he did was to enact revenge on those who had destroyed his hope of a happy life.
-A. Oulton
4. Catherine's inner conflict is that she is not sure if she should marry Heathcliff or Edgar. The conflict displays the discrepancy between the social classes of this time. Edgar Linton comes from a wealthy family and will be able to support Catherine; however, Heathcliff was an orphan and does not have the money that Edgar has. Catherine must choose between true love and money. If she marries Heathcliff she will have to accept the consequences that comes with having no money. On the otherside if she marries Edgar she will have a much easier life and not have to worry about the troubles that come with having no money. I think that it would be wise for Catherine to marry Edgar. First, they will have a place to live where if she married Heathcliff Hindley would throw them both out. Also, she will not have to worry everyday about what they will eat for dinner. Lastly, she will not have to face the harsh working conditions that presented themselves during the Industrial Period in England. It would be better for Catherine's future if she married Edgar.
N. Staargaard
Bronte portrays Catherine’s ghost as a young, restless child due to the fact that she acted in such a way throughout much of her life. We learn of this through Catherine’s diary, which Mr. Lockwood is perusing at the time. Bronte portrays her as having the qualities of an imp or a sprite: mischievous, beguiling, and innocence incarnate. Catherine often acted impulsively and “She never had the power to conceal her passion, it always set her whole complexion in a blaze” (pg. 51). Catherine, when upset or emotionally hurt, always acts as if she were a child throwing a tantrum. Confining herself to her room and refusing food or drink. Bronte repeatedly tells of Catherine forsaking chores and study to go run off with Heathcliff and play on the moors. It is because of the manner in which Catherine portrayed herself in life, that in death she is again portrayed as a child.
Drew McMurchy
Question 4.
Catherine's inner conflict during chapter nine is whether to conform to society and marry within her social class or to go against social norms and marry a man she truely loves. Marrying Edgar would be the easy, and according to most, smart decision, though it is going against what her heart is telling her. Her conflict is demonstrated when she states, "It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know that i love him." (Bronte 99). The other inner conflict that goes along with social class would be pride versus humility, demonstrated in the quote. She ultimately chooses the higher class man as a husband, because doing so retains her high reputation. Honestly, if she could ever get over her social class and become a humble person, marrying Heathcliff would make her completely happy. However, since her life is so consumed by her determination to keep a high class image, marrying Heathcliff maybe wouldn't make her as happy as one would originally think. Her pride ultimately gets in the way, and though love cannot buy money, Heathcliff's loves will never satisfy her need for power.
E. Kaiser
In chapter 7 Catherine comes back from Thrushcross Grange drastically changed. I do not believe that this change is just physical. When Catherine comes back her manners have also improved. If the change was just physical then Catherine would still be misbehaving and she would not have good manners. "...when the dogs came bounding up to welcome her, she dare hardly touch them lest they should fawn upon her splendid garments." (38) This quote show that Catherine's changes are not just physical. If Catherine was the same person as before she want to Thushcross Grange she would not have cared if the dogs got her dress dirty. Catherine has a major change in her manners when she comes back, this reveals that Catherine's changes are not just physical.
K, Buonpane
4. Catherine should marry Heathcliff. ALthough Edgar shows affection toward Catherine, and its obvious he loves her, Heathcliff and Catherine are destined to be together. Catherine's inner conflict is whether or not she should marry Edgar, or Heathcliff. There are pros and cons in marrying either Edgar or Heathcliff. If she married edgar he would be able to support her well, and she would be looked greatly upon because of her status in society. However, the relationship they have is not as strong as the love of Catherine and Heathcliff. Although they do not have a lot of money or respect, there love is stronger then Edgar and Catherine's will ever be.
Lindsey Skonieczny
#2. Mrs. Dean reveals that Catherine and Heathcliff are soulmates twice in chapter 5. The first is when she is describing Catherine, "The greatest punishment we could invent for her was to keep her seperate from him" (30). This plainly reveals that Heathcliff and Catherine were nearly inseperable and extremely fond of one another. The other event is the death of Mr. Earnshaw. "no parson in the world ever pictured heaven so beautifully as they did," (32). After the death of Mr. Earnshaw, Nelly checks on the children to see if they are all right. She finds that Catherine and Heathcliff have made each other comfortable beyond her own capabilities. This reveals that Catherine and Heathcliff are very close because they can share their internal feelings like no one else.
In chapter 9, Catherine reveals to nelly that Edgar has asked her to marry her. this reveals her inner conflict of whether to marry him or not because she cannot choose between Heathcliff and Edgar. while conversing with Nelly and explaining her dilema, catherine reveals that edgar is wealthy and of a high social class. this means that he can provide for her and make her "the greatest woman of the neighbourhood, and [she] shall be proud of having such a husband."(57) she then explains that she had dreamt of what it would be like to marry Edgar and she feels it is not right. she says that she has "no more business to marry Edgar linton than [she has] to be in heaven..."(59) she also reveals that she truly loves Heathcliff and this is "not because he's handsome...but because he's more [like her than she is.]"(59) this, and the fact that Catherine feels that whatever her and heathcliff's "souls are made of, his and [her's] are the same," leads me to believe that she should not marry Edgar because no matter what worldly things he could give her, her love will always be for Heathcliff.
m.prochaska
4. Catherines inner conflict is whether she should marry for love or if she should marry for money. Catherine is then split between Heathcliff and Edgar. Catherine has known Heathcliff her whole life as stated in the beginning of the book. She has also has openly stated that she loves Heathcliff more than she love Edgar. "...he shall never know how I love him..."(59) But Heathcliff does not have anything. He has no money or inheritance and he has no family acceot for Catherine."...seeing it starving, and houselessand as good as dumb in the streets..."(26) Also Hindley hates and despises Heathcliff. But Edgar has the money and the social structure to support him and her. Edgar is also well accpeted by Hindley and as well he was well accepted by Mr and Mrs. Earnshaw when they were still alive as well. I think that Catherine will be happier marrying Heathcliff becasue she has openly said that she loves him more than she loves Edgar. Also, she has grown up with Heathcliff and they already have a strong relationship with eachother.
A. Lowe
3. Does Catherine Change?
In the beginning of the novel Catherine is wild, headstrong, bossy, and I would go so far as to say that she is a mirror of Heathcliff’s behavior. She enjoys causing trouble as supported in chapter five. “she put all of us past our patience fifty times and oftener in a day…we had not a minute’s security that she wouldn’t be in mischief” (45). She also has a strong bond with Heathcliff. However, when she returned to Wuthering Heights after her stay in Thrushcross Grange she seemed a completely different person. She was well dressed, well mannered, clean – the picture perfect “what a lady should be” for the time and people around her. She even went so far as to laugh at Heathcliff for being so unclean in comparison. “Why, how very black and cross you look! And how – how funny and grim!” (56), but at the same time greeted him with hugs and kisses. It’s as if she were trying to find a balance between which part to play.
When she was with Heathcliff as a child she was able to act against what others expected of her, but when that support was taken away (at the Grange) she fell into a more respectable role. I think she saw the value of trying to please the people other than Heathcliff, but she still wanted to “have her cake and eat it to, so she would act as others did in front of them, but when it was just her and Heathcliff she would transform into the girl she had been.
In conclusion, I believe that Catherine did not drastically change. Regardless of outward appearance and mannerisms she maintained the part of a girl willing to be anything to please so long as it got her a pat on the head, or so long as it benefited her in some way.
Jennifer Friedler
1. Emily Bronte portrays Catherine’s ghost as a young, restless child, because she has always had the spirit of a child even when she was an adult. When she saw Heathcliff again, she was excited and acted like a child. “Cathy, catching a glimpse of her friend in his concealment, flew to embrace him, she bestowed seven or eight kisses oh his cheek within a second.” (p. 38) She was not taught to behave that way at Thrushcross Grange. She was taught to have composure and to be proper young lady, but she always had that free-spirited child in her. When she was not trying to watch her image, you can see that child like spirit in here.
F. Gretzinger
3. The changes that Catherine has gone through during her time at Thrushcross Grange are superficial and physical. Mentally and emotionally, she is, for the most part, unchanged. When she first returns to Wuthering Heights, her change is very apparent. She is dressed properly, cleaned up, and exhibits great manners. However, Bronte quickly reveals that the change is only skin deep when Catherine first sees Heathcliff after five weeks of separation. Her actions speak much louder of how she has changed than her appearance does. When she spots Heathcliff she "flew to embrace him, bestowing seven or eight kisses on his cheek within the second"(38). This clearly shows that Catherine's change is physical, and she remains the same girl who she always has been.
Jason Pavlick
1. I beleive that Emily displayed Cathrine's ghost as a child because, Cathrine has a child like personality and because so found her true love as a child and her love was best displayed when seh was a child. She has a child like veiw on life and can't let it go. An example of her child like behavior is from this quote. "from the hour she came down stairs, to the hour she went to bed, we had not a moment;s security that she wouldn't be in mischief"(30). in this we see her as a very active, mischevious person who always was up to no good, from sun up to sun down. Another reason that she was portrayed as a child is because that is what Heathcliff wants to remember of her, the girl who he loved and not the women who married the "wrong" man.
E. Stafford
#3
I believe that Catherine's change after her return from Thrushcross Grange is only physical. She had been experiencing a new household for several weeks and that has made her different for the time being. Her appearance has changed and because of that, Heathcliff noticed. She had also came into the house with a different attitude, and because of this her reaction to things at Heights were different. Heathcliff noticed this when Catherine commented on Wuthering his cleanliness, or lack thereof, and Heathcliff was slightly upset and retaliated with anger at her comments about him. If there is one thing to be noted, it is that people don't really ever change. Personalities stay the same with people, no matter how much they try. This is still the case for Catherine and even though she tries to be someone new and look and act like a new person; reality will settle at some point in time and she will return to a state in which she was in before she stayed at Thrushcross Grange.
N. Wood
1). Heathcliff first becomes fond of Catherine during his and her childhood. Heathcliff's preeminent memories of her are before they age and drift apart. During their childhood years neither are troubled at a comparable rate as towards the end of Catherine's life. As children, Bronte puts great emphasis on Heathcliff and Catherine spending a great deal of time together, and being exptremely fond of each other. "The greatest punishment we could invent for her was to keep her separate from him"(41). This quote allows us to infer, that later on in the romantic hero's, as well as Catherine's life that the lovers seperation must be extremely hard on both individuals. Therefore, I believe that Bronte chooses to express Catherine's ghost as a young, restless child because as a child, Catherine meets those standards well, Heathcliff fell in love with the young Catherine, and she experiences her happiest days during childhood. The ghost of Catherine's child effectively haunts Heathcliff, and keeps him from going about his life adequately because the ghost reminds him of the girl he fell in love with, as well as the one who was content with her life.
A. Saykes
3. I believe that Catherine did change, but her changes appear subtlely. Her outer appearances may contradict her innitial reaction towards Heathcliff, but it's her subtle actions that show her newer self. "I could not hinder myself... You are so dirty!" (39). This may have been a lighthearted joke towards Heathcliff, but her later actions prove that he was right to be sensitive towards her words. Such as her marriage to Edgar because Heathcliff is not suitable enough for her love, even though she admits she loves him.
C. Riley
When Catherine comes back from Thrushcross grange, i do not think that she has changed at all on the inside. On the outside she dressed well and acts her age with well manners. Mrs. Linton tried to change her, but she will never have the ability to change her mind. The main reason why she ended up staying at Thrushcross grange was that her ankle had been bitten by a dog, and she needed to get better. So while she was there the lintons ended up traing her to become a lady. Do you believe that she is truly changed or that her change is merely physical?( chapter 7) Through this quote it is proving that she has not changed entiry but simply on the outside and grew up a little so to speak.
J. Scott
when Catherine returns from Thrushcross Grange i believe the change is a little mental and a little physical. when you live with a group of people for a few weeks you start to act and think like them, they rub off on you. the author describes her as a "very dignified person" after her stay there. unfortunaly her mental chage will not last long. she evenually goes back to her usual mental state where she thinks she is in charge of everyone and "freaks out" if she doesnt get her way
R.Cooke
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