August 12, 2008
Rachel Blackwell: Final Post
Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte, is the better choice of the two novels to read in Mrs. Goodman's AP English class because it offers a frame story, allows for the study of a byronic hero, and entails society's less popular idea of love. Although Pride and Prejudice disbatches powerful opening lines, the basic plot is handed to the reader from the very beginning. Because Wuthering Heights opens into a frame story of which the reader must choose to either agree or disagree with Mr. Lockwood before being introduced to the plot, it becomes evident that the novel concentrates more heavily on the characters and leaves the reader to infer the missing parts of the plot. Personally, I think that as students, it is more valuable that we study a different, more intriguing way that authors can begin their novels, along with the reasoning behind it. Just like a frame story is new to us, so is the byronic hero. Because the word hero is entirely over-used and commonly misused, I think it is important to analyze the different types of heroes and why certain people classify them that way. Without the article, "Characteristics of a Byronic Hero," I would have never been introduced to this new type of hero and therefore, possibly misunderstood and discredited Heathcliff. Contrary to Hollywood's enchanting, mystical portrayal of love, I think that as teenage girls, it is very important to also understand one of the ultimate themes of Wuthering Heights, love is destructive. Although Austen does a wonderful job of emphasizing the importance of love in a marriage, Hollywood illustrates that concept quite well also in the movies it produces and the different successful and failure proned marriages of celebrities. Wuthering Heights exposes the reader to not only Cathy and Linton's splendid true love, but also the presence of a very corrupt man Heathcliff, victimized by true love's passion, which is rarely seen. On the whole, Wuthering Heights should be further analyzed in the classroom because of the new and different elements of a novel that it offers.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Rachel.
Oh, I really think the most interesting part of your argument is that that the word hero is "entirely over-used and commonly misused." This is a very valid reason for studying WH, and should probably be your thesis statement. Then you could discuss how P and P is more typical in its use of the heroine and how a study of WH would allow you girls to understand that not all heroes are "good." All of your points are strong and clear, but I think you just try to cover too much in 250 words. Good job.
Mrs. G
Post a Comment