When Nelly refers to Heathcliff as “it,” it broke my heart. She could have used “he,” “the boy,” “orphan,” or “bairn,” but instead chooses “it.” This single word conveys all the unspoken sentiments and sets the tone for Heathcliff’s future treatment and actions. The word choice is quite brilliant on Brontë’s part.
Yes, quite brilliant! I think any person reading it the first time notices that 'it' and yes, it really does set a tone which keeps us in perpetual limbo; we feel sympathy for Heathcliff while being simultaneously *disturbed* by many of his actions.
It is so hard to imagine what it would be like to be in Nelly's position, raised as a sibling and yet so clearly regarded as lower in status. Lockwood is condesending to her and self deceiving with his supposed wish to be isolated. I keep wondering why EB wanted to have the two narrators.
You know, Judy, I wonder that too...Lockwood seems almost a prop (in today's language, it's as if Emily Brontë was being a bit passive aggressive and wished to ridicule men like him--his story of falling in love at the seaside is particularly out-of-place).
He's (Lockwood) is the only total outsider in the story--at least so far. Is he supposed to give us an outsiders POV? Or contrast with the other men? I like the idea of Emily having a reason for making him so unlikeable.
Lockwood is certainly in a position to provide an outsider's POV; he is a tourist in a (to him) strange land. Brontë uses Lockwood to illustrate each character's class differences, social status, etc. through his casual dialogue with Nelly.
His actions/reactions, his questions, his curiosities, it all results in information learned by him and for us (the readers). Though, if you notice, no one in the story cares to know anything at all about Lockwood or, the 'outside' world! They all scorn him (unless it's their professional obligation to aid him).
I find it interesting that Nelly changes her opinion from the beginning of her tale to the end. She is at first disgusted by Heathcliff only to eventually pity him. I can only imagine this is what Brontë wanted us to feel as well.
I think, too, Nelly is in a unique position because she was raised alongside Hindley, Cathy and Heathcliff. She views each through a sibling-filter and can empathize with both Hindley and Heathcliff--and yes, I *do* think Brontë wanted us to feel Nelly's emotional turmoil as she navigates each family member!
I wonder, too, if in the moment of retelling the story to Lockwood her empathy turns to regret for how she originally treated Heathcliff, as if she feels somewhat responsible for Heathcliff's current demeanor.
When Nelly refers to Heathcliff as “it,” it broke my heart. She could have used “he,” “the boy,” “orphan,” or “bairn,” but instead chooses “it.” This single word conveys all the unspoken sentiments and sets the tone for Heathcliff’s future treatment and actions. The word choice is quite brilliant on Brontë’s part.
Yes, quite brilliant! I think any person reading it the first time notices that 'it' and yes, it really does set a tone which keeps us in perpetual limbo; we feel sympathy for Heathcliff while being simultaneously *disturbed* by many of his actions.
So true
It is so hard to imagine what it would be like to be in Nelly's position, raised as a sibling and yet so clearly regarded as lower in status. Lockwood is condesending to her and self deceiving with his supposed wish to be isolated. I keep wondering why EB wanted to have the two narrators.
You know, Judy, I wonder that too...Lockwood seems almost a prop (in today's language, it's as if Emily Brontë was being a bit passive aggressive and wished to ridicule men like him--his story of falling in love at the seaside is particularly out-of-place).
He's (Lockwood) is the only total outsider in the story--at least so far. Is he supposed to give us an outsiders POV? Or contrast with the other men? I like the idea of Emily having a reason for making him so unlikeable.
Lockwood is certainly in a position to provide an outsider's POV; he is a tourist in a (to him) strange land. Brontë uses Lockwood to illustrate each character's class differences, social status, etc. through his casual dialogue with Nelly.
His actions/reactions, his questions, his curiosities, it all results in information learned by him and for us (the readers). Though, if you notice, no one in the story cares to know anything at all about Lockwood or, the 'outside' world! They all scorn him (unless it's their professional obligation to aid him).
I find it interesting that Nelly changes her opinion from the beginning of her tale to the end. She is at first disgusted by Heathcliff only to eventually pity him. I can only imagine this is what Brontë wanted us to feel as well.
I think, too, Nelly is in a unique position because she was raised alongside Hindley, Cathy and Heathcliff. She views each through a sibling-filter and can empathize with both Hindley and Heathcliff--and yes, I *do* think Brontë wanted us to feel Nelly's emotional turmoil as she navigates each family member!
I wonder, too, if in the moment of retelling the story to Lockwood her empathy turns to regret for how she originally treated Heathcliff, as if she feels somewhat responsible for Heathcliff's current demeanor.